pic: 6CIM WCD

[Adrian Clark]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

I would not recommend this. Smaller sprockets load your chain more, and make your drive less tolerant to variable tension and alignment inperfections. We did a similar drive with #25 16t sprockets, and were throwing chains left and right. There should be plenty of room on a drive like this for bigger sprockets.

I can't say I've had any similar experiences. We ran 16T sprockets with untensioned chain and it lasted us two regionals and champs with absolutely no fails.

You are correct about the chain loading and for that reason I would say that it's best to run the largest sprocket you can on your drive. However on this drivetrain it looks like the 22T sprockets OP is using are too large and the next smallest size is 16T, that is the reason I suggested using 16T sprockets. Also, I'm pretty sure 16T is standard for WCD's, and I've never heard of WCDs popping chains.

[Nate Bloom]

Thanks for all the input. I'm planning on replacing the 22T gears with 16T. Since I dropped the middle wheel 1/8'' rather than raising the corner wheels 1/8'' or doing 1/16'' on both, the 22T sprockets make the chain run into the bellypan in the current config.

I'll also a 1/16'' aluminum bellypan, and I'm going to keep to gussets and rivets for now, although I'll try to get some people interested in welding since that can still be useful. Are there any other suggestions on improving the drive?