OK, so you're getting conflicting advice on sprocket ratios, and as Socks says, it's just different peoples point of view, so I'll tell you why I've changed mine and you can read the thread and make up your own mind whether or not a ratio change is something you want to do.

I'd agree that you don't want to change the ratios too far from standard, if you want to change them at all.

IMO the XT600E's sprocket ratios are designed for road use.

The reason I changed down one tooth on the front was only to sort out first gear when off-road, and doing very tight, technical stuff, I was at a speed where I was having to slip the clutch all the time as first gear was too tall. Running along over really bumpy stuff in first gear, I couldn't get the slow speed I needed without laboring the engine and the engine starting to pull the bike along at tickover, and lashing at the drive chain. Dropping one tooth on the front sorted this out and made the bike more rideable at those speeds, without using lots of clutch slip all the time to smooth things out. I'm talking about the kind of speeds needed to climb a rocky footpath, or cross a ploughed field. I have found the bike more friendly filtering in slow traffic too though, again less clutch work needed.

If you are going to be sticking to "roads", though in Africa this will mean little more than a track across the ground, you shouldn't be riding at these speeds much.

That said it only makes the bike rev by another 500 revs or so in 5th gear, and my bike still sits at 75-80mph all day long doing something like 5200 revs, and on African roads you'll probably be sitting at no more that 60mph anyway.

So the gearing is still suitable for a long trip, if I was doing the trip I wouldn't see it necessary to change the ratios back to standard. But do you need to change your standard ratios to do the trip? No, if you are sticking to "roads" you probably don't, but you want to go exploring up mountain paths and stuff, it might be a good idea.

Sorry for not replying earlier, haven't been able to logon for a couple of days, oddly worked fine today.

There is not enough space between the sprocket and the primary chaincase. It is so tight I have to run the split link with the fishtail on the inside surface else the ends of the rivet touch the back end of the chaincase.

bit of bad design

wow, that much?! Damn...

Do you think it is possible to remove some material from the casing to allow this?

I have no knowledge about Enfields whatsoever..
If this was possible to do, remove material from the casing, the casing itself has to be thick so you could get at least 2mm of space..


Vando

I have looked very closely at this, and I think the best way would be to make an offset gearbox sprocket and then move the rear wheel right by the same amount.
probably wise to make several in order to carry spare(s) 1/8th to 3/16th inch would do it.

If you have problems with shipping, you can have them sent to me here in the U.K and then I can post it to you...

Maybe cheaper, maybe easier !!

Ted

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

FACT - It's a complete WASTE of money fitting a expensive new chain to a set of old sprockets. Your new chain will be wasted within a couple of thousand miles. As above says - Much better to fit new CHAIN & SPROCKETS (front and rear). Here in the UK it's possible to do this for slightly less than £100 using top shelf parts (DID, Renthal etc). Well worth the extra pennies (in my humble opinion).

Personally my favourite make is DID (O Chain).

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Whereas as I've said before, I do this regularly, and regularly get 15,000 miles and up from new chains run on old sprockets with very minimal maintenance (i.e., spraying the chain with WD40 when I think of it every 200-2000 miles). As far as I can tell, based on actual experience, I get the same chain life as others without changing sprockets until they are worn.

Your mileage, as we all know perfectly well, might vary.

Mark

Hey there!

Ted, thanks! If I need I'll let ya know, cool?


Right now I got 110€ saved up and I need to either get the chainkit or new F/R rubber!

damn damn damn damn...


What should I do first?

Chainkit first?


Vando :confused1:

My tuppeny worth....
O-ring or X-ring all day long for me, either DID, Renthal, Regina, or if money is tight, EK, Izumi, etc...All will last a decent amount of miles given CORRECT lubrication (Scottoiler,etc). Beware though, most will come with a rivet link as standard especially in 520 pitch, you'll need to buy a couple of split links aswell or have the link riveted properly. The part of the chain that will fail first will ALWAYS be the split/rivet link, especially on a big single. For some reason they wear faster than all the other main links, for this reason i always carry spares and check regularly when traveling.DID chains have a very slightly different diameter link pin size so no other split links will fit DID (i can't speak for any others). The only breakdowns i've ever had when on the road were both chain breakage, both in North France on my way to the ferry home after long trips, and both were broken links. I now carry a spare "cheepo" chain at the bottom of the box!

__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....

Well, I am decided... well, kinda..

The tires will have to wait for now!


I'm just waiting for some of the ebay sellers to get back to me on the shipping as I need to be sure they ship to the Azores.

Right now I'm thinking of saving some coins by just getting this chain and keep my still good sprockets and spend the money on the other parts I need so I can actually use my bike this summer at last!

HD 520 X-ring 120 link chain motorbike bike motorcycle - eBay (item 280679791322 end time Jun-27-11 04:01:38 PDT)


I will get the a proper chainkit later on when I get some funds...
This would be my preferred one:

RK CHAIN KIT & SPROCKETS YAMAHA XT600E XT 600E 90-95 | eBay


It is to mind that I do not do any off-roading at all!
My chain could've lasted alot longer if the bike wasn't kept outside on the rain for over 5 years with only a plastic cover on it and also because I "mistreated" the chain alot!

I'd have the chains lack step up nicely for me but then I started going 2up and didn't readjust the chain and it started going..

Also, I didn't lube the chain as often as I should've.


Anyway, just waiting for the ebay sellers to let me know...

night night!

Vando

Well, the first link is out of the question... 20£quote is to mainland Portugal...

To here, the Azores it's 35£...
so 70£ for a "cheapo" chain nope!

Chainkit will be.. just awaiting answer by the ebay sellers for the shipping quotes..


Vando

SORTED - At last! lol....

It's always difficult for "us islanders" to get parts delivered for the same price as landlubbers, here on Sheppey (in the wilds of Kent 40 miles south of London) we are cut off from the mainland 11 months a year! lol

Just off to get my daily paper now - a round trip of more than 5 hours through marshes and swamps. Just kidding...

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Yup, Almost sorted!

None of the german sellers have answered to my ebay messages yet..

At least today I already received my JB WELD...which only toke 1 full week to arrive, not bad at all..

So, went on to properly clean the LHS engine cover with one of those "dremel-like" conic stones with round end and spotted 3 HOLES!!
I was like...WTFFF!!!

I cleaned them up gently with a pointy knife and the holes just popped out on the other side and I could see right through them! WTF!!
Can't believe I actually payed 35€ for that piece of crappy (NOT)Welding! never again!!!

Afterwards I air sprayed clean everything perfectly on the inside of the engine cover, went on to my mom's work and got some Acetone (nail polish remover or whatever it's called) and spilled over the cleaned area while shaking the engine cover for a while until it was almost dry and then again air sprayed it...

mixed up a batch of JB Weld @ 1:1 ratio and generously applied on the whole inside part that was "welded" and also on the outside of the cover...

Now it's sitting in the swimming pool "house" where it's warm and dry so it settle and cure properly..


Will take some pictures tomorrow to show you guys!


The bike is almost rideable

Thank you guys for the help!
hope I get a quote today for the chainkit!


Vando

Well, none of the german sellers answered me SOOOO

NO CHAINKIT FOR NOW!
Going for the TrailAttack tires.

122.69€ for both tires delivered to "my brother's house" (where he is staying right now) in mainland Portugal...


Vando

It's official!

Just payed for the tires!

122.69€ plus 1.53 for my bank account taxes..

so, 124.22€ for new rubbers shipped to mainland Portugal..
plus 25€ give or take to have them shipped here, not bad at all!

The only shop that sells motorcycle tires here wanted 120€ plus shipping charges for a metzeller tourance... I was like: "Are you kidding me?" and just left lol


at least one good thing came out of today :\
will get heavily wasted tonight for sure with some homebrew liquor!


Vando