Drive chain recommendations for '97 Polaris Xpress 300, 2wd

[Louznmemind]

The OEM o-ring chain for my '97 Polaris Xpress 300 is $130+ while other brands run from $50 up to $80 with varying tensile strengths from 5000 to 8700. I would assume a higher tensile strength would be better but I don't know the tensile strength rating on the OEM chain. I usually always try to run OEM on everything but if I can save a little money it would be nice, if I'm looking it up correctly it takes the chain listed below but I have no idea what the ORD4 means...

CHAIN-520 ORD4,O-RING,86 PTCH

3221193-086

[davefrombc]

The higher tensile strength chain would be  best  and definitely O ring chain  will last longer  unlubed. I  saw a quote of the 8700 tensile strength for the OEM  chain.
 In   my search I  came across a listing of  520  O-ring chain with a tensile  strength of 8200 in an online listing by the US  Walmart  (.com) that as long as it is the right width for  the sprockets  should  fit.  As long as you're  not beating that quad to the max the slightly lower strength chains should do the job. You'd  have to  count the links ( pitches)   to  order the chain and confirm  price.
I hope that helps.

Edited March 14, 2022 by davefrombc

[Louznmemind]

1 hour ago, davefrombc said:

The higher tensile strength chain would be  best  and definitely O ring chain  will last longer  unlubed. I  saw a quote of the 8700 tensile strength for the OEM  chain.
 In   my search I  came across a listing of  520  O-ring chain with a tensile  strength of 8200 in an online listing by the US  Walmart  (.com) that as long as it is the right width for  the sprockets  should  fit.  As long as you're  not beating that quad to the max the slightly lower strength chains should do the job. You'd  have to  count the links ( pitches)   to  order the chain and confirm  price.
I hope that helps.

Yessir, it helps a lot. Thank you..  Just took the old chain off and found a missing tooth on the front sprocket so it looks like I'm going to go ahead and replace both sprockets as well.

[Louznmemind]

Ok, the parts fiche for my machine calls for the 520 o ring, 86 link which is the chain that was on it so I'm good on that. 

As far as sprockets,, it calls for 12t/36t but this machine has 12t/38t sprockets. What happens if I go back to the 36t rear sprocket? 

I have tried googling the answer only to confuse myself, unless I'm backwards, the extra 2 teeth on the rear sprockets helps on low end ??

[davefrombc]

The 36 tooth sprocket would make  it  slightly faster with slightly less pulling power.  Not really enough to  make any great difference in feel. About the only  place you would notice the difference  would be  when  you compare the top  speed.  The 36 tooth sprocket  would go  a couple of Mph  faster.