CHAIN AND SPROCKETS

It’s not that the stock Honda CRF50 chain and sprockets are bad but the RENTHAL sprockets and D.I.D. chain are much better. The benefits here are lighter weight (sprocket) and a smoother, quieter, lighter drive train.

By the time we got to this modification we were thinkin’ about making the bike look as much like a Honda factory bike as possible, so what could be better then the same chain and sprockets as the factory Honda team! Plus it saves a little weight.

SPROCKETS: RENTHAL ($83 F/R).

We stayed with the stock gearing. Check out the article about gearing in the column to the right to see how this decision was made.

RENTHAL Rear Sprocket - 37T

RENTHAL Countershaft - 14T

You may want to gear up or down depending on your needs. Just keep in mind that changing the tooth count doesn’t have a great effect on gearing which is mostly determined by the internal gearing of the transmission.

CHAIN: D.I.D. ($38)

The D.I.D. chain is a Gold 420. It looks great and doesn’t lose it’s Gold color like a Renthal chain (I tried one). And it’s the same as the factory Honda bikes use.

Installation was pretty straight forward. Remove the rear wheel, remove the sprocket bolts and sprockets and do the reverse to install the new chain. To remove the stock chain you remove the master link. To install the new chain measure it against the stock chain to get the right size and cut it with the chain breaker. Use the chain adjusters to adjust the chain until it can be moved up and down one inch when held between the sprockets. Make sure wheel is straight by using the index mark on the chain adjusters. They should both be on the same place on the scale on the swing arm. You may want to get the SERVICE MANUAL.

CHAIN GUIDE: LIGHT SPEED ($45)

We later replaced the stock plastic chain guide with a Light Speed carbon fiber chain guide. One of the things I really like about the Light Speed chain guide is it gives you a lot of ground clearance compared to the other guides below. And because it’s carbon fiber it can take a lot of abuse.