Chain Length

[Father Guido Sarducci]

Bike is a 2000 900 Supersport. Stock gearing is 15/40. I am going up 2 teeth in the back so gearing will now be 15/42. Stock chain is to short for this gearing. Anyone know how many links I need to go up on the new chain?

[Brewmaster]

Here is the method I use.

If you have the new sprocket put it on with the old chain. Measure how far back you want to relocate the new axle on the swingarm.

Add one link for every 2 teeth increase in sprocket size. Plus roughly for every link you add will move the axle back 5/16"(0.8 cm)from that starting point. Hope that helps. All that said you should always buy a link or two longer than you think, just in case you were wrong in your calc's. You can always go shorter!

Of course I run three different sprockets depending on tyres, track and conditions.

You also might want to think about where you want the axle to be on the adjuster slot. It Definetly has an effect on the suspension.

Cheers

[cdansan]

I am running 15/42 with the stock length chain. If you cannot loop the chain over the sprocket, push the axle out far enough to move the adjuster blocks off the bolts and push the axle up against the bolts. Put on the chain and then pull the wheel back and put the adjusters and axle back in all the way.

Dan

[galaxy]

Yea, stock chain should fit with only a +2 change. But, even this will move your axle probably full foward in the adjustment range. Doubt if the change in wheel base is enough to ever notice while driving but something to think about.

[Father Guido Sarducci]

Thanks for the reply's. I purchased a new chain with the sprockets so I will not need to use the original chain. I just need to "cut" or remove links from the new chain so it will fit properly and still have some adjustment. Looks like if I go up 2 links from the original chain I should be fine.