What gearing for a 18.5 Ktm fe

shunter986
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shunter986
I’m thinking of putting a 50 on it which is going up two. Bikes got two hrs on it so I want to use the chain that’s on it. I was told I can flip the axel blocks around and I would be good to go. Any thoughts on gearing and flipping the blocks around?
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Bermworm
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Bermworm 8/10/2018 6:31pm
8/10/2018 6:31pm
Yes you can flip the blocks 2 is a big jump plus you are probably going to end up with the axle all the way forward which will change the handling quite a bit.Just make sure your chain doesn't end up too tight that will create a lot of stress on your drive train and affect your suspension in a negative way.
CSAR FE
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CSAR FE 8/10/2018 6:41pm
8/10/2018 6:41pm
Keefer swears by 14/52 gearing.
shunter986
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shunter986 8/10/2018 7:13pm
8/10/2018 7:13pm
So if I go to a 50t you guys think I should put a new chain on it?

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sgrimmxdad
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sgrimmxdad 8/11/2018 2:04am
8/11/2018 2:04am
I just ordered a new 13/50 combo for ours. I considered going 14/52, didn't he say that about the Husky? I know basically the same bike but I thought the KTM had a little more bottom than the Husky.
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CSAR FE 8/11/2018 6:01am
8/11/2018 6:01am Edited Date/Time 8/11/2018 6:01am
sgrimmxdad wrote:
I just ordered a new 13/50 combo for ours. I considered going 14/52, didn't he say that about the Husky? I know basically the same bike...
I just ordered a new 13/50 combo for ours. I considered going 14/52, didn't he say that about the Husky? I know basically the same bike but I thought the KTM had a little more bottom than the Husky.
He talked about it in his podcast on the 18.5 Rockstar Edition, and he mentioned it again in his podcast he dropped yesterday on the 19 450 SX-F.

I'm waiting until my driveline is toast, and I'll be moving to the same gearing.
Moto96
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Moto96 8/11/2018 6:42am
8/11/2018 6:42am
14/52 is slightly taller.than 13/50.
Its also right between 13/48 and 13/49

What was his reasoning?



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Digger29 8/11/2018 7:21am
8/11/2018 7:21am
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Tim507
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Tim507 8/11/2018 8:47am
8/11/2018 8:47am
I ended up at 13-51 coupled with my longer (low end torque) header works well for this 66 year young motocrosser as I can roll corners with more momentum in higher gear
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CSAR FE 8/11/2018 10:34am
8/11/2018 10:34am
Moto96 wrote:
14/52 is slightly taller.than 13/50.
Its also right between 13/48 and 13/49

What was his reasoning?



I said the same thing. It didn't make sense to me that it would make the bike feel snappier and effect the suspension action that much. I emailed him for an explanation a while back. His reply:

"The 14/52 gearing puts less torque/tension on the shock when it's under load. I wasn't aware of this until I tried it and the engineers told me that is exactly why I felt that the shock was free'r under acceleration. For you racing desert there should be no reason why this wouldn't be better as well.

As far as getting slightly more RPM response with the gearing, that I couldn't really tell you, but it does liven it up slightly. It's not a huge difference, but it does help. I am more of a "feeling" type of rider and I felt this immediately.

Try this on your FX and go rip some New Mexico dez!! "
Digger29
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Digger29 8/11/2018 4:13pm
8/11/2018 4:13pm
I remember asking why all of the factory Suzuki RM250s that I was buying in the late 90's and early 2000s came with 14 tooth fronts and 52, 53 and 54 rear sprockets and that's exactly what they told me too. They also said that the bikes made slightly more power on the dyno versus the stock 13X48 gearing.
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CSAR FE 8/11/2018 4:15pm
8/11/2018 4:15pm
Apparently 14/52 gearing was McGrath's preference as well, FWIW.
shunter986
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shunter986 8/11/2018 5:47pm
8/11/2018 5:47pm
Do I need a new chain or just flip the blocks?
Garrett314
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Garrett314 8/11/2018 5:48pm
8/11/2018 5:48pm
Digger29 wrote:
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest...
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I feel stuck in between 2nd and 3rd
shunter986
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shunter986 8/11/2018 6:55pm
8/11/2018 6:55pm
Digger29 wrote:
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest...
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Garrett314 wrote:
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I...
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I feel stuck in between 2nd and 3rd
Going up two teeth did you change the chain?
Digger29
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Digger29 8/12/2018 7:28am
8/12/2018 7:28am
Digger29 wrote:
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest...
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Garrett314 wrote:
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I...
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I feel stuck in between 2nd and 3rd
shunter986 wrote:
Going up two teeth did you change the chain?
Yes I did because I always put new chain and sprockets on for the 2nd half of our season. I think you might be able to just flip your axle blocks to try it out but it still may end up moving the wheel further forward than you'd want.
Digger29
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Digger29 8/12/2018 7:29am
8/12/2018 7:29am
Digger29 wrote:
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest...
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Garrett314 wrote:
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I...
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I feel stuck in between 2nd and 3rd
COMPLETELY agree with you and that's why I switched to the 50 rear.
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shunter986
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shunter986 8/12/2018 7:31am
8/12/2018 7:31am
Digger29 wrote:
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest...
I switched to a 50 rear on my 450FE and I love it. Gets me into 3rd quicker and I can use 3rd in the tightest of turns. It also allows me to start in the 3rd gear which is like cheating :-)
Garrett314 wrote:
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I...
Did you leave the front sprocket alone and only go up on the rear? Curious, I have a 18.5 as well, and in some corners I feel stuck in between 2nd and 3rd
Digger29 wrote:
COMPLETELY agree with you and that's why I switched to the 50 rear.
I just feel bad b cause it’s a brand new bike. I’m going to get a chain because I know the 50t is what I need. Sucks it won’t be ok with just the block

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mx317
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mx317 8/12/2018 10:16am
8/12/2018 10:16am
shunter986 wrote:
I just feel bad b cause it’s a brand new bike. I’m going to get a chain because I know the 50t is what I need...
I just feel bad b cause it’s a brand new bike. I’m going to get a chain because I know the 50t is what I need. Sucks it won’t be ok with just the block
Buy a new Regina chain 120L and take a link out and add it to your chain with a rivet link. This is only if your chain is new or less than a couple of hours.
friday10
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friday10 8/12/2018 5:02pm
8/12/2018 5:02pm
Be sure to reset your sag if you move the wheel forward. Your welcome!

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