[stronger800]

21 is way too tight. It won’t stretch much when you ride. IMO, it will break the new pad, or something anyway. The 20 looks perfect. I don’t have my chart here, but was 21/49 ever a AC factory ratio? There are also two different length tensioners, however, I don’t remember what year they changed. ‘17 or 18 I believe. I also don’t remember if they were Longer, or Shorter. But that could be what you have going on. I am certain that your 21/49 combo is Too tight though.

 

[stronger800]

You are welcome. I have installed the roller style tensioners and the manual threaded adjusters before, I can’t say for sure if one of them would fit into that space and give you any more slack in the chain or not, but I would feel better about running a combo that tight with that set up opposed to what you have now. I just wouldn’t do it. Going to a 48 on the bottom would gear you “up” ever so slightly as opposed to going down like you did with the 20. If you were interested in that mph option. I’d guestimate less than 3 mph difference on paper either way

 

[stronger800]

What year did the chain tensioner change? Are you saying he has the proper one?
I never much use recommended ratios anyway, but I have modified tensioners and prefer the manual style for such application

 

[stronger800]

I don’t know which one is longer or shorter. I believe the later ones are shorter, ‘18 and up. Maybe 17. I have my parts gearcase parts all in a basket…not too organized. I just put ones together that fit.

 

[stronger800]

Fairly certain my high country came with 19–50, and it had a regular adjuster like that. But I geared it up and change things around a lot. I can’t remember what was original

 

[stronger800]

Looks perfect.