Krause Racing's Sidewinder ProductsAnswers To Frequently Asked Questions |
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| All Contents of this Website are Copyrighted Krause Racing Inc. 2001-2008 |
F.A.Q. Ti-MOLY SPROCKETS
Q1: If I use a set of your Ti Sprockets, will they stretch out the chain prematurely?
A: Because the Ti Sprockets are so hard, the shape of the tooth pocket remains intact much longer than other sprockets.
Because this pocket does not deform, the chain rollers engage the sprocket correctly for a much longer time. It is when the
pocket hogs out and the chain roller rides up on the tooth face, that the loads on the chain skyrocket. This is when the chain
gets trashed. Ti sprockets will make any chain last substantially longer because the tooth pocket does not wear away and
elongate. Combine these Ti Sprockets with a Sidewinder Smart Chain and you have an unbeatable combo.
Q2: If the teeth on a Ti sprocket are so hard, won’t they wear out the chain rollers?
A: Sidewinder builds all their chains using rollers made out of the same super hard Ti-Moly material as the sprockets. This
ensures a truly matched drive system that will deliver maximum life. Rollers on other chains are not as hard and will wear out
quicker.
Q3: Why don’t other manufacturers balance their sprockets?
A: It’s expensive to dynamically balance sprockets like Sidewinder does. Other makers choose to omit this process to cut their
costs, and then they sell their products cheaper. But you lose out on a very desirable feature, especially if you race.
Q4: Can I just use the Sidewinder Sprockets with another brand chain?
A: You can certainly use our sprockets with any brand of chain you choose. However, you will not have a matching system.
The fit between our precision sprockets and a brand “X” chain will not be as snug and prone to early wear out. Plus, a mild steel
chain will begin stretching immediately and start to ride up on the faces of the sprocket teeth. This will wear the sprockets very
quickly and will spoil your opportunity to enjoy a long-lasting, trouble-free drive system. The real answer is a genuine,
Sidewinder sprocket and chain matched set.
Q5: Do the Ti-Moly Sprockets have the Sidewinder self-cleaning grooves?
A: Ti-Moly Sprockets are self-cleaning but Sidewinder has accomplished this feature without having to resort to grooving. We
make the 520 pitch Ti-Moly Sprockets in a 7-gauge material. They don’t have to be as thick as an alloy sprocket so there is
automatically plenty of clearance for self-cleaning action without the need for grooves. There is about .030” clearance per side
that provides much more self-cleaning than the grooves in an alloy sprocket do. Our other pitch sizes (525 and 530) are
similarly provided with clearance for self-cleaning. This also reduces the weight of the Ti sprockets at the same time.
Q6: Are Sidewinder’s Ti Sprockets made from pure Titanium?
A: Sidewinders’ Titanium series of sprockets are not made of pure titanium. It would be too brittle to function as a sprocket. We
add a number of elements such as chrome-moly, manganese, copper and more to our material to temper the characteristics so
it will be super hard but never crack. Ti-Moly also exhibits magnetic properties unlike pure Ti.
We have never had a Ti-Moly sprocket crack, break or bend in 8 years of production. There is not another manufacturer on
this planet that can make that claim.
Q7: Can I get a Ti Sprocket in a color?
A: Yes!! Up until this year (2008) you could only get our Ti line in the black, zinc phosphate finish. Sidewinder is now offering a
special hi-intensity, ion-transfer, powder coating process that produces brilliant, hard, long-lasting colors that will blow you
away. We offer this process for front and rear sprockets in every color of the rainbow. Check with your sales/tech agent to
learn lead times and prices if color is of interest to you.
Q8: Do Ti-Moly sprockets have an anti-corrosion coating?
A: All Sidewinder Carbon steel, Tool steel, Ti-Moly, and Ti-II sprockets come standard with a very tenacious, zinc phosphate
coating to protect the metal from solvents and harsh corrosives. This is a very expensive plating process but it lasts the life of
the sprocket. This is not a thin (one thousandth of an inch) anodizing like you get on aluminum, that scratches easily and looks
shabby after a few rides. Zinc phosphate is tough and nothing lasts as long. Only Sidewinder has invested in this process
bringing you another unique benefit.
Q9: Are Ti-moly sprockets heavier than aluminum?
A: Yes, but the difference in weight is the equivalent of the set of keys and spare change in your pocket….probably around 8 or
9 ounces heavier. Our new laser-cut designs take advantage of the Ti-moly’s tremendous strength to trim all unnecessary
material from the sprocket, making it as light as possible.
Q10: Does Sidewinder offer split, two-piece sprockets?
A: Sidewinder pioneered the 2-piece, quick-change sprocket for racing. It is available to this day from Sidewinder as a special
order item. It has been especially popular with the “Sand Rail” and “Dune Shooter” crowd.
Q11: Are front sprockets available in Titanium?
A: Sidewinder offers four grades of material in our front sprocket lineup…Hi-carbon steel, Tool steel, Ti-Moly and the new
“Guaranteed-for-Life” never to wear out Ti-II. We have a performance level and price point for every rider and every budget.
Q12: What makes the Ti-II sprocket better than your original Ti-moly?
A: The basic material in our original Ti-moly formula is enhanced with Boron to make the sprocket even harder and longer
lasting. With this Ti-II sprocket comes our lifetime guarantee.
Q13: Why is Sidewinder the only company to use a laser to make the Titanium sprockets?
A: You simply cannot cut Ti-moly material on conventional CNC machines. It would destroy the tooling. Laser-cutting is the
only efficient way to do it.
It took over 3 years to perfect the laser process and produce super-close tolerance tooth profiles on the sprocket. Thousands
of experiments with power settings, beam widths, penetration angles and many other variables were necessary before the
process was perfect. This is why no one else has done it. Laser-cutting is state-of-the-art technology. CNC is old school.
And this is why all the other manufacturers stay with soft aluminum sprockets because they are simple to make with any old CNC
machine.
Q14: Are Sidewinders made in the USA?
A: Sidewinders are the only drive system made fully in the U.S.A. Most other sprocket and chain companies are Japanese,
Chinese, Taiwanese, Czechoslovakian, European….you get the picture. Some companies (Renthal for one) use a deceptive
scheme to create the illusion of being American made. You have to carefully read the fine print in their ad. They write “used in
the” USA…..cheap scam!!
Only Sidewinders are made in America…period
F.A.Q. SMART CHAIN
Q1: How long will the self-lubricating O-ring in the Smart Chain last?
A: Testing has shown that the saturated O-rings continue to disperse lubricant effectively over more than 3 seasons of riding.
This process, besides reducing power drain, contributes to greatly extending the service life of the O-ring itself, compared to all
other dry-seal chains.
Q2: Is the 12,000 pound Smart Chain heavier than the 7,000 pound Smart Chain?
A: The tensile strength pound rating (7,000; 10,000; 12,000; 16,000) is just a measure of resistance to stretch. It does not
relate to the physical weight of the Smart Chain. In reality, the higher strength chains are actually lighter. The 7,000 actually
weighs more than the 16,000.
Q3: Can I use Sidewinder Smart Chain on different brand sprockets?
A: You can. However, keep in mind that Sidewinder uses rollers made out of our super-hard, Ti-Moly sprocket material,
intended to be compatible and perfectly matched to Sidewinder Ti sprockets for maximum life. Other sprockets will not hold up
as long as our chain, but they will last longer than they would using a cheaper, low tensile strength, Jap chain.
You also forfeit some other major advantages….
1) You give up the chance to have a very closely-toleranced, truly matching set of sprockets and chain. This will eventually
cost you a reduction in overall system life.
2) A little known fact is that Sidewinder is the only company to dynamically spin-balance their sprockets for minimum lost power.
Brand “R,” “V,” “S,” etc. Do not have this degree of balance resulting in more backlash, chain slap and vibration.
3) Keep in mind, also, that sprockets made of softer material will wear more quickly, hooking the teeth, hogging out the tooth
pocket and then causing premature chain wear.
4) A Sidewinder Smart Chain alone puts you way ahead of any Jap chain, but the whole, complete Sidewinder set is the best
way to go.
Q4: Do all your chains use the new “Smart” technology?
A: Every grade of Sidewinder chain uses the exclusive, patented, self-lubricating Smart-Ring technology. No one else has it but
Sidewinder. We call it the “Chain with a Brain.”
Q5: Are Sidewinder Chains Guaranteed?
A: At this time, all Sidewinder chains come with a 1 year, N.Q.A. (No Questions Asked) warranty policy. Ask your agent for
specific details. Our engineers are working on some new ideas that may result in a guaranteed-for-life chain to match our Ti-II
sprockets. Keep in mind that in 40 years of business, Sidewinder has never turned its back on a customer with a chain or
sprocket problem.
F.A.Q. GENERAL CATEGORY
Q1: What does Sidewinder mean by a “Truly Matched set?”
A: Sidewinder is the only company in the industry that makes all three components of the drive train (front sprocket, rear
sprocket, and chain) in the same factory. Doing so ensures extremely tight tolerances between the chain rollers and the
sprocket teeth (Plus or minus a thousandth of an inch). This degree of matching virtually eliminates backlash and chain slap.
Interestingly, no other manufacturer in the entire industry makes all three components themselves. The other sprocket
companies do not make chains and the other chain companies do not make sprockets. When you buy a brand other than
Sidewinder you usually end up with 3 pieces from not only different companies but usually from 3 different countries.
Q2: Why doesn’t my local Dealer carry Sidewinders?
A: As you probably know, most Dealers try to make as much profit as possible in their parts department. They usually decide to
stock sprockets and chains that they can buy the cheapest and then resell for the most profit. They just can’t make as much
profit with the higher quality products like Sidewinder. Also, the last thing the dealer is interested in selling you is a product that
is going to last 3 or 4 times longer. He wants you coming back as often as possible to replace those parts and possibly buy
other things while you are in the store.
Some shops do stock and sell Sidewinder Products, but most of them offer the cheaper brands that they make more money on
and that you have to replace more often.
Ironically, we know of several shops that actually buy and use Sidewinders on their race team bikes but sell RK, Renthal,
Sunstar, etc. in their store for the above reasons.
One last point that is huge….Dealers are cringing when they learn about our new Ti-II sprockets that are guaranteed-for-life to
never wear out. The average dealer doesn’t even want you to know about this sprocket.
Q3: Has Sidewinder ever won any big events?
A: Absolutely, but remember that Sidewinder does not pay winning riders to use our product. They choose to run Sidewinders
for durability, not for just a few quick bucks. We won the recent Baja 1000 on team Honda Factory machines (1st and 3rd
place). We also set the 24-hour world’s endurance record on a Banshee. We have also won the “Pike’s Peak” in the Super
Mod Quad class a number of times
Q4: I saw Sidewinder decals on Robbie Knievel’s jump bike, do you sponsor him?
A: Robbie Knievel is now the most accomplished daredevil motorcycle stunt rider alive today. His recently televised “Death
Jump 99” in Las Vegas, where he leaped his Honda from roof to roof between two 19 story high buildings, has got to be the
ultimate. Robbie stakes his life on Sidewinders every time he jumps. He has chosen to use Sidewinders exclusively for the past
12 years. We provide our product, but we don’t pay Robbie to use our chains and sprockets.
And just for the record….
• He just did a record jump over 23 hummers (2008)
• He jumped the Grand Canyon with no net or parachute (2000)
• He jumped three operating, military helicopters (2004)
And every jump with a Sidewinder drive system
Q5: How much longer will a Sidewinder Set chain / sprocket last.
A: Maintenance certainly plays a part in useful service life, but Sidewinders typically last 3 to 4 times longer. The lifespan of an
average Renthal, Sunstar, or Afam sprocket can be measured in weekends. They wear out very quickly. That’s probably why
you called us.
Q6: Sidewinder’s cost more than other brands. Why?
A: Actually, a Sidewinder system will cost you far less then any other brand if you keep your bike for awhile. Because of
superior materials (titanium-chromoly); large over-size pins on our chain; the new self-lubricating O-rings in our new Smart
Chain; and our process of balancing our sprockets, the useful life of our drive system can be as much as 4 times longer.
After a person buys their second set of cheap sprockets and chains, they have spent way more than a quality Sidewinder set
would have cost in the first place…and now when you consider our new Ti-II Sprockets that are guaranteed-for-life never to
wear…the game is over. Sidewinder could end up saving you hundreds of dollars over the long run.
Q7: Why don’t you see big name riders, like Jeremy McGrath, using Sidewinders?
A: The top riders are all highly paid to endorse other brands of chains and sprockets. Sidewinder has never paid one penny to
buy anyone’s endorsement. Renthal pays riders up to $100,000 a year to run their products. If you ask any mechanic, he will
tell you they replace those chains and sprockets every race, sometimes between motos. They can’t trust those products to last
any longer. That would shake my confidence.
And consider this…when McGrath was a privateer and paid for his own parts, he bought and used Sidewinder! What does that
tell you?
Q8: Are you on commission?
A: A large part of my compensation is based on commission. The essence of my job is to determine exactly what you need;
inform you about all the product choices available; make helpful recommendations wherever I can and assist you to meet any
budget requirements. My personal goal is a super-satisfied customer that refers me to his friends and riding buddies.
Q9: Are Sidewinders made in the USA?
A: Sidewinders are the only drive system made fully in the U.S.A. Most other sprocket and chain companies are Japanese,
Chinese, Taiwanese, Czechoslovakian, European….you get the picture. Some companies (Renthal for one) use a deceptive
scheme to create the illusion of being American made. You have to carefully read the fine print in their ad. They write “used in
the” USA…..cheap scam!!
Only Sidewinders are made in America…Period
Q10: How can Sidewinder deliver more power than other brands?
A: First; Closer tolerances between chain and sprockets reduce power-robbing backlash and chain slap.
Second; Sidewinders’ self-lubricating Smart Chain eliminates parasitic drag created by the compression of the O-rings between
the sideplates. This can amount to a 2 horsepower savings.
Third; By dynamic balancing, Sidewinder again eliminates wasteful surging in the drive train.
Fourth; The Titanium series MX chain is lighter than our competitors and puts less stress and load on the engine.
Fifth; Our new UL (Ultra-Light) series Motocross Sprockets are 20% lighter than Renthal and last 3 times longer.
Sixth; Sidewinders narrow gauge, Titanium series sprockets offer superior debris cleaning action over the old style grooved
type. Better self-cleaning yields less drag and more power…
Q1: If I use a set of your Ti Sprockets, will they stretch out the chain prematurely?
A: Because the Ti Sprockets are so hard, the shape of the tooth pocket remains intact much longer than other sprockets.
Because this pocket does not deform, the chain rollers engage the sprocket correctly for a much longer time. It is when the
pocket hogs out and the chain roller rides up on the tooth face, that the loads on the chain skyrocket. This is when the chain
gets trashed. Ti sprockets will make any chain last substantially longer because the tooth pocket does not wear away and
elongate. Combine these Ti Sprockets with a Sidewinder Smart Chain and you have an unbeatable combo.
Q2: If the teeth on a Ti sprocket are so hard, won’t they wear out the chain rollers?
A: Sidewinder builds all their chains using rollers made out of the same super hard Ti-Moly material as the sprockets. This
ensures a truly matched drive system that will deliver maximum life. Rollers on other chains are not as hard and will wear out
quicker.
Q3: Why don’t other manufacturers balance their sprockets?
A: It’s expensive to dynamically balance sprockets like Sidewinder does. Other makers choose to omit this process to cut their
costs, and then they sell their products cheaper. But you lose out on a very desirable feature, especially if you race.
Q4: Can I just use the Sidewinder Sprockets with another brand chain?
A: You can certainly use our sprockets with any brand of chain you choose. However, you will not have a matching system.
The fit between our precision sprockets and a brand “X” chain will not be as snug and prone to early wear out. Plus, a mild steel
chain will begin stretching immediately and start to ride up on the faces of the sprocket teeth. This will wear the sprockets very
quickly and will spoil your opportunity to enjoy a long-lasting, trouble-free drive system. The real answer is a genuine,
Sidewinder sprocket and chain matched set.
Q5: Do the Ti-Moly Sprockets have the Sidewinder self-cleaning grooves?
A: Ti-Moly Sprockets are self-cleaning but Sidewinder has accomplished this feature without having to resort to grooving. We
make the 520 pitch Ti-Moly Sprockets in a 7-gauge material. They don’t have to be as thick as an alloy sprocket so there is
automatically plenty of clearance for self-cleaning action without the need for grooves. There is about .030” clearance per side
that provides much more self-cleaning than the grooves in an alloy sprocket do. Our other pitch sizes (525 and 530) are
similarly provided with clearance for self-cleaning. This also reduces the weight of the Ti sprockets at the same time.
Q6: Are Sidewinder’s Ti Sprockets made from pure Titanium?
A: Sidewinders’ Titanium series of sprockets are not made of pure titanium. It would be too brittle to function as a sprocket. We
add a number of elements such as chrome-moly, manganese, copper and more to our material to temper the characteristics so
it will be super hard but never crack. Ti-Moly also exhibits magnetic properties unlike pure Ti.
We have never had a Ti-Moly sprocket crack, break or bend in 8 years of production. There is not another manufacturer on
this planet that can make that claim.
Q7: Can I get a Ti Sprocket in a color?
A: Yes!! Up until this year (2008) you could only get our Ti line in the black, zinc phosphate finish. Sidewinder is now offering a
special hi-intensity, ion-transfer, powder coating process that produces brilliant, hard, long-lasting colors that will blow you
away. We offer this process for front and rear sprockets in every color of the rainbow. Check with your sales/tech agent to
learn lead times and prices if color is of interest to you.
Q8: Do Ti-Moly sprockets have an anti-corrosion coating?
A: All Sidewinder Carbon steel, Tool steel, Ti-Moly, and Ti-II sprockets come standard with a very tenacious, zinc phosphate
coating to protect the metal from solvents and harsh corrosives. This is a very expensive plating process but it lasts the life of
the sprocket. This is not a thin (one thousandth of an inch) anodizing like you get on aluminum, that scratches easily and looks
shabby after a few rides. Zinc phosphate is tough and nothing lasts as long. Only Sidewinder has invested in this process
bringing you another unique benefit.
Q9: Are Ti-moly sprockets heavier than aluminum?
A: Yes, but the difference in weight is the equivalent of the set of keys and spare change in your pocket….probably around 8 or
9 ounces heavier. Our new laser-cut designs take advantage of the Ti-moly’s tremendous strength to trim all unnecessary
material from the sprocket, making it as light as possible.
Q10: Does Sidewinder offer split, two-piece sprockets?
A: Sidewinder pioneered the 2-piece, quick-change sprocket for racing. It is available to this day from Sidewinder as a special
order item. It has been especially popular with the “Sand Rail” and “Dune Shooter” crowd.
Q11: Are front sprockets available in Titanium?
A: Sidewinder offers four grades of material in our front sprocket lineup…Hi-carbon steel, Tool steel, Ti-Moly and the new
“Guaranteed-for-Life” never to wear out Ti-II. We have a performance level and price point for every rider and every budget.
Q12: What makes the Ti-II sprocket better than your original Ti-moly?
A: The basic material in our original Ti-moly formula is enhanced with Boron to make the sprocket even harder and longer
lasting. With this Ti-II sprocket comes our lifetime guarantee.
Q13: Why is Sidewinder the only company to use a laser to make the Titanium sprockets?
A: You simply cannot cut Ti-moly material on conventional CNC machines. It would destroy the tooling. Laser-cutting is the
only efficient way to do it.
It took over 3 years to perfect the laser process and produce super-close tolerance tooth profiles on the sprocket. Thousands
of experiments with power settings, beam widths, penetration angles and many other variables were necessary before the
process was perfect. This is why no one else has done it. Laser-cutting is state-of-the-art technology. CNC is old school.
And this is why all the other manufacturers stay with soft aluminum sprockets because they are simple to make with any old CNC
machine.
Q14: Are Sidewinders made in the USA?
A: Sidewinders are the only drive system made fully in the U.S.A. Most other sprocket and chain companies are Japanese,
Chinese, Taiwanese, Czechoslovakian, European….you get the picture. Some companies (Renthal for one) use a deceptive
scheme to create the illusion of being American made. You have to carefully read the fine print in their ad. They write “used in
the” USA…..cheap scam!!
Only Sidewinders are made in America…period
F.A.Q. SMART CHAIN
Q1: How long will the self-lubricating O-ring in the Smart Chain last?
A: Testing has shown that the saturated O-rings continue to disperse lubricant effectively over more than 3 seasons of riding.
This process, besides reducing power drain, contributes to greatly extending the service life of the O-ring itself, compared to all
other dry-seal chains.
Q2: Is the 12,000 pound Smart Chain heavier than the 7,000 pound Smart Chain?
A: The tensile strength pound rating (7,000; 10,000; 12,000; 16,000) is just a measure of resistance to stretch. It does not
relate to the physical weight of the Smart Chain. In reality, the higher strength chains are actually lighter. The 7,000 actually
weighs more than the 16,000.
Q3: Can I use Sidewinder Smart Chain on different brand sprockets?
A: You can. However, keep in mind that Sidewinder uses rollers made out of our super-hard, Ti-Moly sprocket material,
intended to be compatible and perfectly matched to Sidewinder Ti sprockets for maximum life. Other sprockets will not hold up
as long as our chain, but they will last longer than they would using a cheaper, low tensile strength, Jap chain.
You also forfeit some other major advantages….
1) You give up the chance to have a very closely-toleranced, truly matching set of sprockets and chain. This will eventually
cost you a reduction in overall system life.
2) A little known fact is that Sidewinder is the only company to dynamically spin-balance their sprockets for minimum lost power.
Brand “R,” “V,” “S,” etc. Do not have this degree of balance resulting in more backlash, chain slap and vibration.
3) Keep in mind, also, that sprockets made of softer material will wear more quickly, hooking the teeth, hogging out the tooth
pocket and then causing premature chain wear.
4) A Sidewinder Smart Chain alone puts you way ahead of any Jap chain, but the whole, complete Sidewinder set is the best
way to go.
Q4: Do all your chains use the new “Smart” technology?
A: Every grade of Sidewinder chain uses the exclusive, patented, self-lubricating Smart-Ring technology. No one else has it but
Sidewinder. We call it the “Chain with a Brain.”
Q5: Are Sidewinder Chains Guaranteed?
A: At this time, all Sidewinder chains come with a 1 year, N.Q.A. (No Questions Asked) warranty policy. Ask your agent for
specific details. Our engineers are working on some new ideas that may result in a guaranteed-for-life chain to match our Ti-II
sprockets. Keep in mind that in 40 years of business, Sidewinder has never turned its back on a customer with a chain or
sprocket problem.
F.A.Q. GENERAL CATEGORY
Q1: What does Sidewinder mean by a “Truly Matched set?”
A: Sidewinder is the only company in the industry that makes all three components of the drive train (front sprocket, rear
sprocket, and chain) in the same factory. Doing so ensures extremely tight tolerances between the chain rollers and the
sprocket teeth (Plus or minus a thousandth of an inch). This degree of matching virtually eliminates backlash and chain slap.
Interestingly, no other manufacturer in the entire industry makes all three components themselves. The other sprocket
companies do not make chains and the other chain companies do not make sprockets. When you buy a brand other than
Sidewinder you usually end up with 3 pieces from not only different companies but usually from 3 different countries.
Q2: Why doesn’t my local Dealer carry Sidewinders?
A: As you probably know, most Dealers try to make as much profit as possible in their parts department. They usually decide to
stock sprockets and chains that they can buy the cheapest and then resell for the most profit. They just can’t make as much
profit with the higher quality products like Sidewinder. Also, the last thing the dealer is interested in selling you is a product that
is going to last 3 or 4 times longer. He wants you coming back as often as possible to replace those parts and possibly buy
other things while you are in the store.
Some shops do stock and sell Sidewinder Products, but most of them offer the cheaper brands that they make more money on
and that you have to replace more often.
Ironically, we know of several shops that actually buy and use Sidewinders on their race team bikes but sell RK, Renthal,
Sunstar, etc. in their store for the above reasons.
One last point that is huge….Dealers are cringing when they learn about our new Ti-II sprockets that are guaranteed-for-life to
never wear out. The average dealer doesn’t even want you to know about this sprocket.
Q3: Has Sidewinder ever won any big events?
A: Absolutely, but remember that Sidewinder does not pay winning riders to use our product. They choose to run Sidewinders
for durability, not for just a few quick bucks. We won the recent Baja 1000 on team Honda Factory machines (1st and 3rd
place). We also set the 24-hour world’s endurance record on a Banshee. We have also won the “Pike’s Peak” in the Super
Mod Quad class a number of times
Q4: I saw Sidewinder decals on Robbie Knievel’s jump bike, do you sponsor him?
A: Robbie Knievel is now the most accomplished daredevil motorcycle stunt rider alive today. His recently televised “Death
Jump 99” in Las Vegas, where he leaped his Honda from roof to roof between two 19 story high buildings, has got to be the
ultimate. Robbie stakes his life on Sidewinders every time he jumps. He has chosen to use Sidewinders exclusively for the past
12 years. We provide our product, but we don’t pay Robbie to use our chains and sprockets.
And just for the record….
• He just did a record jump over 23 hummers (2008)
• He jumped the Grand Canyon with no net or parachute (2000)
• He jumped three operating, military helicopters (2004)
And every jump with a Sidewinder drive system
Q5: How much longer will a Sidewinder Set chain / sprocket last.
A: Maintenance certainly plays a part in useful service life, but Sidewinders typically last 3 to 4 times longer. The lifespan of an
average Renthal, Sunstar, or Afam sprocket can be measured in weekends. They wear out very quickly. That’s probably why
you called us.
Q6: Sidewinder’s cost more than other brands. Why?
A: Actually, a Sidewinder system will cost you far less then any other brand if you keep your bike for awhile. Because of
superior materials (titanium-chromoly); large over-size pins on our chain; the new self-lubricating O-rings in our new Smart
Chain; and our process of balancing our sprockets, the useful life of our drive system can be as much as 4 times longer.
After a person buys their second set of cheap sprockets and chains, they have spent way more than a quality Sidewinder set
would have cost in the first place…and now when you consider our new Ti-II Sprockets that are guaranteed-for-life never to
wear…the game is over. Sidewinder could end up saving you hundreds of dollars over the long run.
Q7: Why don’t you see big name riders, like Jeremy McGrath, using Sidewinders?
A: The top riders are all highly paid to endorse other brands of chains and sprockets. Sidewinder has never paid one penny to
buy anyone’s endorsement. Renthal pays riders up to $100,000 a year to run their products. If you ask any mechanic, he will
tell you they replace those chains and sprockets every race, sometimes between motos. They can’t trust those products to last
any longer. That would shake my confidence.
And consider this…when McGrath was a privateer and paid for his own parts, he bought and used Sidewinder! What does that
tell you?
Q8: Are you on commission?
A: A large part of my compensation is based on commission. The essence of my job is to determine exactly what you need;
inform you about all the product choices available; make helpful recommendations wherever I can and assist you to meet any
budget requirements. My personal goal is a super-satisfied customer that refers me to his friends and riding buddies.
Q9: Are Sidewinders made in the USA?
A: Sidewinders are the only drive system made fully in the U.S.A. Most other sprocket and chain companies are Japanese,
Chinese, Taiwanese, Czechoslovakian, European….you get the picture. Some companies (Renthal for one) use a deceptive
scheme to create the illusion of being American made. You have to carefully read the fine print in their ad. They write “used in
the” USA…..cheap scam!!
Only Sidewinders are made in America…Period
Q10: How can Sidewinder deliver more power than other brands?
A: First; Closer tolerances between chain and sprockets reduce power-robbing backlash and chain slap.
Second; Sidewinders’ self-lubricating Smart Chain eliminates parasitic drag created by the compression of the O-rings between
the sideplates. This can amount to a 2 horsepower savings.
Third; By dynamic balancing, Sidewinder again eliminates wasteful surging in the drive train.
Fourth; The Titanium series MX chain is lighter than our competitors and puts less stress and load on the engine.
Fifth; Our new UL (Ultra-Light) series Motocross Sprockets are 20% lighter than Renthal and last 3 times longer.
Sixth; Sidewinders narrow gauge, Titanium series sprockets offer superior debris cleaning action over the old style grooved
type. Better self-cleaning yields less drag and more power…