Chains & Sprockets - Help!

[young Cruiser]

I bought a TW200 back in June this year. I realised that the previous owner has used a 45 Teeth sprocket on the bike while the original sprocket for the bike is actually a 50 teeth sprocket.

I bought some chains and I realised that the chains seemed to be a bit long with little room for tensioning as the chain got worn.

What is the ratio of chain to sprocket so that I can find the right chain for the 45 teeth sprocket?

Currently the chain I use has 122 links.


Thanks

[9000white]

if the front sprocket is has 14 teeth you need 117 links in the chain.
you can take 5 links out of the 122 link chain and use it.

[young Cruiser]

Thanks for the info dr bob.

I have two more questions:

1. Will my bike go faster with a 45T sprocket or a 50T sprocket?
2. What's the big deal about having a smaller sprocket?

I'm not sure why the previous owner of the bike changed the sprocket from a 50T to 45T so I need a bit more info to decide if I will keep the 45T or revert back to the 50T.


Thanks for you help!!
Young Cruiser

[mydlyfkryzis]

45 tooth sprocket: more top end, slower acceleration
50 tooth sprocket: Faster acceleration, lower top end.

[9000white]

if you are doing mostly street riding keep the 14x45 setup 3.21 ratio.
for dirt 14x50 3.57 ratio.
dont know why original owner changed ratio unless it was to lower rpm at highway speed.

[young Cruiser]

Thanks guys!

My decision is made.
Since I do mostly street riding with the occasional track or dirt trails in my everyday job, I'll be keeping the 45T.

The TW200 won't win any medals in the 100m dash cause they only do
55 - 60 mph stock, from what I've read about them from the manufacturers.

I find that I get up to 75 mph with my TW and it has the 14T front & 45T rear sprockets. So that's where the extra speed came from

Thanks again.

[9000white]

might not get any medals for speed but they are a barrel of fun and very reliable.