sprockets

[Mike Korgan]

What are you guys running for sprockets on a 1977 MC5 250? 12/52?

[rob w]

13 / 52 is very common.

[G Ellis]

13/56

[Daniel P. McEntee]

This gets into an area we used to have a lot of discussions about when I raced go karts. Some liked to use a 9 tooth clutch sprocket, some liked to use 10 tooth. The rear sprocket fluctuated with the track we were running on. I liked to use the larger counter shaft or clutch sprocket and a larger corresponding rear sprocket, The argument was the ratio was the same and made no difference. We, the other side, argued that the larger diameter sprockets made less stress on the chain, and the larger diameter rear sprocket had a better mechanical advantage for driving the rear wheels. I think it made a difference, and I judged it by who broke the most chains!
   Most of the used Penton stuff I have collected have had 52 tooth sprockets on the rear, and I've seen both 12 and 13 tooth sprockets on the counter shaft. I'm thinking that the 12 tooth was stock? I haven't looked it up in the manual yet.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee