Sidewinder gearing for trail.

[ClutchMaster]

This leverage argument is nonsense.
No matter how big the top sprocket is, if the desired ratio is the same as what can be achieved with a smaller top sprocket, the torque result at the driveshaft will be identical.

You would be totally wrong my friend.
I even did the math for you. It’s 9 percent less chain tension, simple Physics.
Did you graduate high school?

 

[ClutchMaster]

Chain tension is what’s pulling the gears together, that relates to bushing wear.

 

[ClutchMaster]

https://www.ustsubaki.com/pdf/l10970_the_Complete_guide_to_chain.pdf

 

[Sledroll]

This leverage argument is nonsense.
No matter how big the top sprocket is, if the desired ratio is the same as what can be achieved with a smaller top sprocket, the torque result at the driveshaft will be identical.

would a chain with maximum deflection result in less wear on the sshaft/bearings/bushing/gears as there appears to be more multi directional contact that spreads out the pressure on the all components this way ?

 

[Todd Beenen]

Scott Taylor has said that 24/45 gearing works well , I may change mine out this summer and give em a try

 

[Turboflash]

IMO, for tuned 998s, 1.80 gearing works very well (assuming good traction and proper clutching setup).
Taylor setup (25/45) = $550 USD. Yamaha/Cat setup (21/38) = $280 USD. You get to decide how much 1.80 gearing is worth to you.

 

[Todd Beenen]

IMO, for tuned 998s, 1.80 gearing works very well (assuming good traction and proper clutching setup).
Taylor setup (25/45) = $550 USD. Yamaha/Cat setup (21/38) = $280 USD. You get to decide how much 1.80 gearing is worth to you.

The Taylor setup would be worth the extra loot.peace of mind factor, plus 24/45 is easier on chain

 

[Turboflash]

The Taylor setup would be worth the extra loot.peace of mind factor, plus 24/45 is easier on chain

Technically on paper yes. However, with BIG tunes (like I have 320HP) you're gonna have to replace the gears and chain every year. I'm not gonna spend $550 per year for new gears. The $280 set works just fine.

 

[Todd Beenen]

Technically on paper yes. However, with BIG tunes (like I have 320HP) you're gonna have to replace the gears and chain every year. I'm not gonna spend $550 per year for new gears. The $280 set works just fine.

seems to me at that kind of power I’d want all the insurance possible, I’m surprised 320 HP doesn’t destroy the stock gears regardless if they are changed yearly, so that being said they must be able to withstand alot of load, hats off to cat for that.

 

[ClutchMaster]

seems to me at that kind of power I’d want all the insurance possible, I’m surprised 320 HP doesn’t destroy the stock gears regardless if they are changed yearly, so that being said they must be able to withstand alot of load, hats off to cat for that.

Gears are much stronger than the chain. My upper and lower gears show very little wear. I have over 5k miles on mine and they are still in use. You can visibly see the wear or lack of it. The chain is harder too tell, I guess you could do a bend test but I’m like Flash, just replace it at 4~5k miles with big tunes.

Borg HYVO chain has been in use on all brands of snowmobiles for many years, actually Cat was the last manufacturer to adopt the HYVO chain. I had HYVO chain on my 2002 viper, Cat was still using silent chain on the F1100 turbo’s in 2012. They held out with the weaker/cheaper chain as long as they could.

 

[ClutchMaster]

There are many +400hp machines running Borg HYVO chain, no issues. No need for Taylor chain and gears with 320hp. You might think that’s a crazy amount of horsepower but it’s real not for a 7/8” wide HYVO chain.

 

[STAIN]

What about chain "stretch"? Does the Taylor chain resist stretch better than stock? My stock chain is stretched out and will need replacement.
I know high horsepower race sleds don't break the Borg/warner chain but what about trail sleds that go higher mileage and stretch the chain? This wouldn't be an issue if not for the work to adjust the chain on these models. I know you can argue that muffler removal is not that big a deal but it still more work than it used to be.

 

[Fleecer]

The Taylor setup would be worth the extra loot.peace of mind factor, plus 24/45 is easier on chain

If you look at factory gears with 2k miles or more, you'll notice the chain will mar the gears ever so slightly. I refer to this as the chain finding home. However, as the chain does this, it pulls sinters of metal from the gears, which mix with the oil. If you've serviced your chaincase, you see this sinter sludge around the magnets on the driveshaft.

As these sinters mix with the oil they get tossed around and make their way to the bushing in the top gear and act like sandpaper, wearing out the bushing. Hence, top gear with holes are worse than gears without holes imo, as they let more oil/sandpaper inside.

Tension, oil, size of top gear, hp levels, and riding style are all factors in determining rate of wear on the top bushing. That is why different people have various intervals of top bushing wear.

I did 2300 miles this winter. Next fall I'll service the case and replace the top gear as regular maintenance. I just ordered a 24t top gear from Babbits for $16 bucks. Very cheap peice of mind.

Hey CM....dont be hogging that bottle. Pass that here so I can take a haul!

 

[DMCTurbo]

If you look at factory gears with 2k miles or more, you'll notice the chain will mar the gears ever so slightly. I refer to this as the chain finding home. However, as the chain does this, it pulls sinters of metal from the gears, which mix with the oil. If you've serviced your chaincase, you see this sinter sludge around the magnets on the driveshaft.

As these sinters mix with the oil they get tossed around and make their way to the bushing in the top gear and act like sandpaper, wearing out the bushing. Hence, top gear with holes are worse than gears without holes imo, as they let more oil/sandpaper inside.

Tension, oil, size of top gear, hp levels, and riding style are all factors in determining rate of wear on the top bushing. That is why different people have various intervals of top bushing wear.

I did 2300 miles this winter. Next fall I'll service the case and replace the top gear as regular maintenance. I just ordered a 24t top gear from Babbits for $16 bucks. Very cheap peice of mind.

Hey CM....dont be hogging that bottle. Pass that here so I can take a haul!

$16 must be nice. $60 CDN for a new 22 from Cat up here North of the border.

 

[KnappAttack]

I still have 5 $3 bushings on the shelf. When there gone I'll order up another half dozen and put them in my old $25 22T Cat top gear I drilled two oil holes in, when the bushing I put in this year gets wobbly. I may even drill in another two more just for more oil and to lighten it up a bit more. I'm a believer in oil holes, may even grove a $3 bushing just to try that too. Not a thing wrong with Borg gears or Borg chain!