Do you add or remove a tooth on a sprocket to make it faster or have more torque? front or rear? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

mor low end front-go down
more top end front-go up

more low end rear-go up
more top end rear-go down

 

This the rough estimate that usually holds true.

One tooth on the front almost equals 2 on the back. It isn't exact. If you can, I would do any moves on the back unless you go bigger and the chain starts to cut the sliders.

Drop teeth in the back to increase speed (top end)
Add teeth in the back to increase power/acceleration (lowend)

Drop teeth in the front to increase power/acceleration
Add teeth in the front to increase top speed (topend)

On a 400EX I would suggest one or two teeth up in the ***. It will give you more trailability but it will slow your top end down. You shouldn't be scared to go with a numericaly high ratio (power gearing).

THe only reason you would want more speed (topend gearing) would be cuz the bike has increased power and no longer needs the sprockets to help with getting around. Eventualy you get so much power that all you do is shifting and can not hold a gear properly.

TRUTH = One tooth on the front sprocket accualy yeilds a little more than TWO in the rear. You want to be carful - to big of front (most bikes only have room for one tooth larger) the chain will contact the case. Too small and the chain/sprocket combo will wear out faster due to the sharp downward turn the chain has to take at the sprocket.