Small buggy chain size

[nutnbolt2002]

For a buggy the size of a SAE Baja what chain size should I use for a engine less then 20hp? thanks

[standfast]

420 would be a unbreakable I would guess.

[busasandrail]

Thats what I was thinking also.....it also might depend on sprockets available for your motor.

[minibajaman]

Two of the years I was in Baja SAE we did chain drive. It was a 2 stage reduction, using #35 chain for the primary stage and 428 chain for the second stage. Chains did break occasionally, if they were not tensioned properly. A good tensioner is important in any chain drive with short chains and small drive sprockets. But to answer your question, 420/428 would be fine depending on setup and usage. 50 series would probably be unbreakable.

[nutnbolt2002]

Thanks guys, will a 420 428 chain fit on a 40 series sprocket or do I need a sprocket that is wider?

[atomicjoe23]

Yes. . .they will be interchangeable. . .the 4-series are the same as far as width is concerned. . .

. . .my suggestion would be to go with a 50 series though. . .we broke several of the 4 series chains pretty quick in testing and stepped up to a 520 series ATV chain and had no problems after that. . .

[nutnbolt2002]

thanks, how much hp and what is your estimate weight of the buggy that broke the 40 chain

[atomicjoe23]

No estimation required. . .the engine produce 10HP and 14 lb-ft. of torque. . .

. . .our buggy weighed in at 650 lbs. . .and before anyone says anything yes that is HEAVY for an SAE Baja vehicle. . .this was our first year, we had never seen any event in person (only YouTube videos), and all we heard about was how nearly 3/4 of the buggies broke and couldn't complete the 4 hr. endurance event. . .so we overbuilt slightly, we used 1.50" x 0.120" 1020 DOM tubing for our chassis. . .this is why we are building an entirely new buggy for 2010. . .there is no way I can cut at least 250 lbs from the buggy and it be any less work than just building a new chassis. . .

. . .that being said we finished the 4 hr. endurance event which more than I can say for 35+ other teams that all had several (at least 5) years more experience than we did coming in as rookies!!!

[kenneth.mandeville]

35 series, double wide works well also, allows for smaller lighter sprockets to be used.