chain length for 14t countershaft sprocket on XR650L

[Martin]

I replaced the stock 15t countershaft sprocket of my 2001 XR650L with a
14t SunStar but in order to get the correct chain slack, the adjusters
are at position 33 (way past the red indicator). They were at the last
"green" segment with the stock sprocket.

I suspect the chain is nearly at the end of its life cuz some links are
stiff too.

If I were to order a new one, do I specify the stock length or shorter?
I think the chain is a #520 O-ring DID, 110 links.


TIA

- Martin

[PlowBoy]

they dont make em easy to get or find, but IMHO you need a 1 link shorter
chain, BUT then need a half link. (makes up for one less tooth on sprocket,
if you had gone down 2 teeth then just one less link would been fine. Now
if stock lenght chain, I mean the adjusters allows for a lot of of
adjustment you probably could get by with stock lenght, (you will need more
than 1/2 inch IMHO just to take one tooth out of the picture, let alone
tighten chain as it wears...

your milage may vary, but this is how it seems to work on all the trials
bikes I have chaged sprocket teeth/sizes on.
FWIW, I always get 1 extra master links and at least 1/2 link when I order
the new chain, from that same MFG... so they'll fit. I have 3 links in the
box now that dont fit anything chain wise, because new or latest chain was
slightly different than the last chain...

Post by Martin
I replaced the stock 15t countershaft sprocket of my 2001 XR650L with
a 14t SunStar but in order to get the correct chain slack, the
adjusters are at position 33 (way past the red indicator). They were
at the last "green" segment with the stock sprocket.
I suspect the chain is nearly at the end of its life cuz some links
are stiff too.
If I were to order a new one, do I specify the stock length or
shorter? I think the chain is a #520 O-ring DID, 110 links.
TIA
- Martin

[XR650L_Dave]

Post by Martin
I replaced the stock 15t countershaft sprocket of my 2001 XR650L with a
14t SunStar but in order to get the correct chain slack, the adjusters
are at position 33 (way past the red indicator). They were at the last
"green" segment with the stock sprocket.
I suspect the chain is nearly at the end of its life cuz some links are
stiff too.
If I were to order a new one, do I specify the stock length or shorter?
I think the chain is a #520 O-ring DID, 110 links.
TIA
- Martin

You should be OK with the stocker, later on you can remove 1 link if
need be.

Keeping the stock 110 allows you to play with the rear sprocket in case
you want to gear it down a bit more- 14/48 is a sweet mix, especially
if you go to a larger rear tire.

If you go nuts on the rear tire (like a terraflex) you need 14-48 to
make the gearing the same as 14-45 with the stock deathwings (trailwing
tires).

DDave

PS have you shimmed the needle and drilled the slide?

[Martin]

Post by XR650L_Dave
PS have you shimmed the needle and drilled the slide?

Heh, heh. The previous owner kindly took care of all the "uncorking",
including a nice Pro-Circuit T4 pipe.

Thanks for the chain info. I'll probably go with the stock length,
bring everything to my favourite shop (a Yamaha dealer!) and have them
figure out if it can/should be shortened.

I'm running Bridgestones for now but may switch to Dunlop DOT-knobbies
at some point. I don't use the bike for commuting anymore since I got a
Suzuki DL650 this spring (hence the gearing revision (and removal of
passenger pegs)).

- Martin

[XR650L_Dave]

Post by Martin

Post by XR650L_Dave
PS have you shimmed the needle and drilled the slide?

Heh, heh. The previous owner kindly took care of all the "uncorking",
including a nice Pro-Circuit T4 pipe.
Thanks for the chain info. I'll probably go with the stock length,
bring everything to my favourite shop (a Yamaha dealer!) and have them
figure out if it can/should be shortened.
I'm running Bridgestones for now but may switch to Dunlop DOT-knobbies
at some point. I don't use the bike for commuting anymore since I got a
Suzuki DL650 this spring (hence the gearing revision (and removal of
passenger pegs)).
- Martin

Anything else you need you can inquire here, or search for it over at
www.4strokes.com
or
www.thumpertalk.com

DDave

[z***@yahoo.com]

I don't worry too much about where the cam adjuster is, I have a hard
time finding anything but an aluminum rear sprocket. When the teeth on
the rear start getting hooked I replace front rear and the chain.
I have heard some horror stories about regina chains, I haven't had
any problem with mine, the side links are gold anodized? and still look
good near the end of the chains life. I think smackover still has them
for a good price too.
I've never heard of a half link for a dirt bike o ring chain. I
maintain a whole bunch of conveyor drives and avoid half links like the
plague.
Keep an eye on the splines on the countershaft, moose seems to fit
pretty good, but some companies get a little lax about getting a good
fit there. I don't think splitting cases to replace a countershaft is
something anyone would want to do on a whim.

[XR650L_Dave]

Post by z***@yahoo.com
I don't worry too much about where the cam adjuster is, I have a hard
time finding anything but an aluminum rear sprocket. When the teeth on
the rear start getting hooked I replace front rear and the chain.
I have heard some horror stories about regina chains, I haven't had
any problem with mine, the side links are gold anodized? and still look
good near the end of the chains life. I think smackover still has them
for a good price too.
I've never heard of a half link for a dirt bike o ring chain. I
maintain a whole bunch of conveyor drives and avoid half links like the
plague.
Keep an eye on the splines on the countershaft, moose seems to fit
pretty good, but some companies get a little lax about getting a good
fit there. I don't think splitting cases to replace a countershaft is
something anyone would want to do on a whim.

Are you running an odd size rear sprocket? 45 and 48 are plentiful in
steel.

On the spline topic, sunstar is *supposed* to be the same mfgr as *oem*
for the honda sprocket.

I'm not sure 'bout that, but the sunstar I had seemed a fair fit. I'm
actually running a 13T at the moment, I think its a JT.

I had one worthless sprocket, it came with a C-clip. Uh, no way.

DDave

[Martin]

The sunstar 14t seemed to fit the splines really well but as for it
being the OEM for Honda, the stock sprocket looked very different aside
from the tooth shape and size.

The other parts of the Sunstar seemed smaller and "less substantial"
and it didn't have the plastic (noise-reduction?) inserts. No big deal
though, it seems to be working fine.

The difference in gearing from the 15t was subtle but I noticed I can
keep it in 2nd gear in some trails where I used to have to downshift
before. That was my goal so I'm happy.

- Martin

[MX Tuner]

Post by Martin
The other parts of the Sunstar seemed smaller and "less substantial"
and it didn't have the plastic (noise-reduction?) inserts. No big deal
though, it seems to be working fine.

I believe that is a rubber damper to absorb some of the shock to the
transmission parts. Bikes that are designed to be ridden on the street
are generally cushioned in this fashion somehow.

MX Tuner
'03 Honda CRF480R
'06 Suzuki SV1000
'06 Nissan Titan LE

[XR650L_Dave]

Post by MX Tuner

Post by Martin
The other parts of the Sunstar seemed smaller and "less substantial"
and it didn't have the plastic (noise-reduction?) inserts. No big deal
though, it seems to be working fine.

I believe that is a rubber damper to absorb some of the shock to the
transmission parts. Bikes that are designed to be ridden on the street
are generally cushioned in this fashion somehow.
MX Tuner
'03 Honda CRF480R
'06 Suzuki SV1000
'06 Nissan Titan LE

I've pondered this, but since its a rubber overlay on the outside of an
all-steel sprocket, the only way it could do this is if the rubber
holds the chain out of the bottoms of the sprocket cups (or whatever
the round-bottom cutout is called in mech-eng-speak).

DDave