22T to 23T Chain Swap Needed???

[Acedog1]

Hey guys,

After alot of searching here I am unable to find a definate answer to my question. Do I need to change my stock chain on my 07 Apex RTX when switching to a 23T gear?? I was able to put it all together last night but the tensioner barely fit with the adjuster bolt backed almost completely out. Help!! Can It run this way or do I need to swap to a longer chain?

 

[marq]

I can only add my 2 cents and a little more confusion lol.

I had always heard that a chain swap was was necessary when going from a 22 to a 23 or vice versa. I recently switched from a 22 to a 23 and put the 70 link chain in. There was so much slop in the chain that the tension bolt was screwed almost all the way in and actually wasn't sitting flush against the tensioner anymore. The chain was very close to making contact with the reverse gear too. So I took out the 70 chain and put the 68 chain in and although I'd like to be able to screw the bolt in a little further, the chain basically went straight from the top gear to the bottom gear (like a tear drop), barely kissing the tensioner along the way. Seemed like a more efficient set up to me.

 

[helmic]

chain

If you got it in and its not to tight it will be just fine.The less angle in the chain the better.

 

[Shiek]

chain

"The less angle in the chain the better."=more efficient

 

[ranger1]

I went from the stock 22 on my 07 RTX to a 24 so I had to go to a 70 link chain. it is recommended going up to the 70L chain from the 68 when going from the 22 to 23 but you might get away with the shorter chain, worth a try.

 

[sherlock29]

if you can get the tensioner to spec, and able to tighten lock nut i think you will be fine... Yamaha recomends 23T+ to have a 70link chain but if all can be tightened up you should be good.

And as stated... it will be more efficient.

 

[john10toe]

Here is a link to Yamaha Specs. Pick the year of your sled and at the bottom of the page it lists length of chain with gearing. It lists 70L with 23T but you should be fine if you got it together.......might not work with a new chain but yours has probably stretched a bit???

http://www.totallyamaha.com/snowmobiles ... /Specs.htm

 

[Acedog1]

Thanks for all of the replies...Yes the chain probably did stretch as it has 4200 miles on it and everything seems to turn fine so I think i will leave it alone and cross my fingers. Anyone know what RPM these chains run at? I was able to slide a .020" feeler gage in between the upper most part of the tensioner just to see if that was close to the chain. Anyone not run a chain tensioner?

 

[sherlock29]

on bothe apex's i always turn in finger tight, back off 1/4 turn the lock in with lock nut. if the threads on adjustment bolt are thru housing and you can do this (oe see threads) its all you need....

 

[Sled Dog]

If the chain tensioner is not needed why not just leave it out.

 

[sledneck22]

chain

Here is a page from the service manual which shows which gears recommend which chain length. The 07 Should have a 38T bottom in it. Thus the 70 chain is what should have been used... but if you can get everything on with no binding just little tightening slack it will probably be more efficient.

 

[Acedog1]

I've decided to use the chain tensioner and tighten finger tight and back it off 1/4 turn as suggested earlier. I'm sure at the RPM's these things turn that chain may need the tensioner to take some of the deflection out at the higher RPM's.

 

[chiefsledhead]

Here's what has always worked for me. Add the number of teeth of both gears together. If it is 60 or less you need the 68 link. If it is 61 or more you need the 70 link chain. So changing the top gear depends on the bottom gear also. Just my $.02

 

[race24x]

I am glkad someone put this out there. I ended up on my RX1 having the tensioner to far out (The dealer did the swap) when I went down 2 teeth. I hit the brakes and it snapped the tensioner right off the chaincase and I had to get it fixed. My dealer totally took care of me up north paid another dealer that did the work so I didnt lose my whole vacation. Best service I have ever had, but I ended up going to a shorter chain. Be careful how far out that tensioner is if you go the longer route.

 

[Acedog1]

I unthreaded my adjustment bolt out of the gearcase last night and measured the threads with a caliper then reinstalled it into the gearcase until finger tight and backed it off 1/4 turn per the owners manual. I then remeasured the threads and found that I have over .250" engagement into the gearcase so i should be fine. If it grenades this winter I'll be sure to post haha!