ok i have an 87 suzuki lt230e quadrunner and it had a 41 rear and 11 front sprocket chain is an 84.. original sizes.. i want to increase the speed a little bit but if i increase or decrease either sprocket teeth size will i have to change out chains?

 

if i left the 11tooth front sprocket but put a 39tooth instead of the 41 tooth sprocket in the back would i have to change the chain size? 11/39 is 3:55 gearing... how to you go about finding out how long the chain needs to be when your figuring out what sprockets you want? is there a math formula!!

 

If you put a 39 instead of 41, then you need 2 less links on the chain (2 is the smallest amount you can remove from the chain). The formula is 41-39=2. And 84-2=82. If you don't have a lot of slack on the chain, you might be able to adjust it without having to shorten the chain, but probably you're going to have to shorten the chain.

 

"if i increase or decrease either sprocket teeth size will i have to change out chains?"
It's common practice to replace sprockets and chain all at once. That way old stuff won't ruin new.
I'd think that being original, they could be mighty wore.
Moral: if the sprocket teeth look like a fish hook, go fishing, not riding. LOL
Usually you get a length of chain and cut it.
FYI: There is plenty of adjustment on your LT230.

 

I was just going to start searching and asking about this as I plan on replacing the sprockets and chain on my LT250s.

Thanks

 

The 230s came with a 12/41 with 22 inch tires and the 250s came with a 12/39 with 20 inch tires for the same overall speed... and I 'think' they used the same 84 chain.