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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 25 Apr 2010
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Chain replacement
I know it depends on how you ride your bike but on average for road use how many miles would you expect to get out of the original chain?

I had just set the chain to the correct tension 30-40mm, went on a 300 mile road trip and when I went to ride it next time I found that I needed to adjust the chain tighteners another notch.

The bike has done about 8000 miles.
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  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2010
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You probably have over tightened it that's why it got some more slack now.

My original chain has had some serious abuse and has done 30'000 km and only now it is in need of a change.


Vando
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  #3  
Old 25 Apr 2010
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I changed the original chain on my KLR after over 24000 miles, it was stretching very fast at that point and wearing out the teeth on the sprockets. I would say it would´ve been sensible to change it at about 18 000 miles and save some worries.
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  #4  
Old 27 Apr 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtremity View Post
I know it depends on how you ride your bike but on average for road use how many miles would you expect to get out of the original chain?

I had just set the chain to the correct tension 30-40mm, went on a 300 mile road trip and when I went to ride it next time I found that I needed to adjust the chain tighteners another notch.

The bike has done about 8000 miles.
My bike has 9300 miles and I'm at the end of the adjustment and have a new chain and sprockets to go on. It has needed one notch on the adjusters about every 250 miles for the last 1000 miles since i got it, and the sprockets are starting to get pointy. I have a new chain and sprockets to go on sitting in the garage. I think it has spend most of it's life either too tight or not lubed as I'd expect even an not particularly well looked after chain to last 15000 miles. The guy I bought it from knew nothing about bikes and did no maintenance himself. I assume if you haven't had your bike from new yours has been neglected as well.
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Old 27 Apr 2010
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Yes I have done less than 1000 miles and as you say I don't know how well the previous owners looked after the bike generally.
I keep it at the specified tension, clean and re lube it weekly.

I have ordered a new chain and sprockets anyway.
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  #6  
Old 6 May 2010
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Mines just failed its MOT now on the chain after just 14.000 km's at the last mot he gave me an advisery on it, but you can pull it away from the back sprocket quite a bit fortunetly the sprocket well the rear is all ive checked so far seems fine. I'm gonna search this forum would it make much difference if I put a bigger engine sprocket on at the same time as I dont ride at high speed much on it and may make it cruise better ?
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Old 6 May 2010
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Originally Posted by Panzer View Post
Mines just failed its MOT now on the chain after just 14.000 km's at the last mot he gave me an advisery on it, but you can pull it away from the back sprocket quite a bit fortunetly the sprocket well the rear is all ive checked so far seems fine. I'm gonna search this forum would it make much difference if I put a bigger engine sprocket on at the same time as I dont ride at high speed much on it and may make it cruise better ?

I strongly advise against fitting a bigger gearbox sprocket. The PO did on my bike and I have had to put it back to standard. It now runs better with a lot less gear changing, and is a bit quicker over the ground now as it can hold and accelerate up slight inclines.
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  #8  
Old 6 May 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtremity View Post
I know it depends on how you ride your bike but on average for road use how many miles would you expect to get out of the original chain?

I had just set the chain to the correct tension 30-40mm, went on a 300 mile road trip and when I went to ride it next time I found that I needed to adjust the chain tighteners another notch.

The bike has done about 8000 miles.
Could be a sign your original chain is nearing its end.

Stock OEM Yamaha chains are not usually the best chains made. They don't typically last all that long. As you say, much depends on how you ride and how you care for your chain. But typically, a stock chain will be worn out between 10 to 12,000 miles. Rain riding shortens chain life.

I would buy a new DID VM X-Ring chain. Use Yamaha stock sprockets, they are fine. The DID chain will last over 20,000 miles.

Better to adjust chain to just slightly loose than too tight. The DID chain will not stretch. Just does not happen until perhaps the last 1000 miles of its life. Yes, its more money. Worth it.

Don't use cheap sprockets or sprockets that make "miracle" claims. All BS. Stock ones are best (IMO) ... or use AFAM or Renthal. Both equal to or better than stock OEM sprockets but probably more money.

If you put on another cheapo chain (stock Yam or EK, RK, Masterbike) you'll be looking at another chain in 10K miles.
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Old 6 May 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtremity View Post
I know it depends on how you ride your bike but on average for road use how many miles would you expect to get out of the original chain?

I had just set the chain to the correct tension 30-40mm, went on a 300 mile road trip and when I went to ride it next time I found that I needed to adjust the chain tighteners another notch.

The bike has done about 8000 miles.
If its anything like my 1vj Tenere 30-40mm is way too tight even though thats whats specified in the manual, when you load the bike the chain is like a bow string, very bad for wearing things out. Check this thread out http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-tension-49475
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Old 6 May 2010
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Go to ebay and buy a did vx ring chainset with sprockets. some (most) dealers have an option, where you can pic your own sprockets, to suit you're needs.

16 in the fron is okay for interstate use, but to high for much else.

44 og 43 in the rear would be better.
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  #11  
Old 7 May 2010
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Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
I strongly advise against fitting a bigger gearbox sprocket. The PO did on my bike and I have had to put it back to standard. It now runs better with a lot less gear changing, and is a bit quicker over the ground now as it can hold and accelerate up slight inclines.
Soz that was brain fade I meant a smaller one Ive ordered a 14 tooth and going to try that one has I dont do much high speed stuff and forever changing gear to stick to speed limits on normal roads. Thanks for replying.
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Old 7 May 2010
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Smaller is great to wake the bike up a bit.
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  #13  
Old 10 May 2010
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Originally Posted by Jens Eskildsen View Post
Smaller is great to wake the bike up a bit.
I got a 14 tooth just got back from the MOT place now. yeah its a great improvement or basically should be an essential mod for all TT600RE riders, the bike is miles more responsive.
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