JT Sprockets help
 

Hey guys!

I'm looking to replace my stock sprockets with some JT sprockets on my 1990 XT600E.

Right now I'm looking into 14-47 or 15-47 combo.
Has anyone ever tried this combo?

There are no motorways/highways on my island.

Longest straight stretch is about 1.5km long :rofl:

There are just the normal small sized town roads... most are normal asphalt roads, some are rock roads (those traditional cubes that are about 10x10 cm white or "black" cubes) and some dirt roads for fun.


I'm about to go back to the island in a few weeks and I'd like to have all the parts already there when I get back there.


Anyone?
Thanks!

Vando beer

I've got 13-47 0n my '03 Xt6 at the moment, handles great,the best it ever has, quite good for off road but screams its nuts off when I get up to about 50mph. I'll keep them on for a bit but I think I'll try 14-46 next see if thats a better compromise for a mix of on/off road.

I think I've tried every combination of 13,14,15,16,42,45 and 47 sprockets.

Go to www.gearingcommander.com choose bike, model and stuff. Its actually me that have added the 1990 ext600e (should the same from that year and up) You canchange sprocekts and see what that does to the rpms at certain rpms and so on.

So if you know youre cruise-rpm is say 4000rpm, and you wanna be able to ride 80km/h then you can mess with hte sprockets and see whats the best.

14-47 is awesome, but on some streches it wears you out to change gears all the time, you might be getting on to ow revs in 4th, where you with stock gearing just woul dhave kept it in 2nd and ringed it out a bit.

With stock chan I can go op to 47 in the rear, and still use both 13,14 and 15.

I made a nev CS sprocket cover, so that you dont need to take of the gearlever. Just a single bolt. Really helps with the time in changing the CS sprocket. It takes about 10mins, and I know just which number on the chain/adjuster to choose with whatever gearing.

My advise is to get 14-47 for the fun/gnarly stuff, and for loose sand, and then a 15 in spare. The extra CS sprocket doenst cost ya much, and its a easy/cheap way to alter the bike. :scooter:

Yeah you're right!

I'd forgotten about that website.

14-47 will cut my speed too much as I usually like ride at between 90-120 which I could only make it with too high RPMs like this.

I'll get the 14 and 15 cs sprockets and try them tho!

BTW, do ya know any EU online sellers of JT sprockets? lol


Thanks Dan & Jens! :thumbup1:

Vando beer

Try this JT Sprockets: Online Catalogue they say they deliver from London to all over.....

Thanks Keny!

Should've thought of that lol
Do you know their postage prices?

Didn't find any info on them selling online...
Do they have an online shop or is it just by calling them?


Vando :cool4:

I buy loose sprockets from Kedo.

I buy did vx chainkits on ebay, and buy extra sprockets aswell (often different sizes)

120km/h and enduro-ish gearing doesnt mach, and really not on a 5-speed bike. Go slower on tarmac, or struggle more offroad.

I dont like to ride 120km/h on stock gearing, wouldn't like it at all with lower gearing.

My bike has to perform as a complete all rounder, from muddy ruts to 500km days on a motorway. I went for 14/45, drops first gear enough to be able to crawl along off-road without being on your clutch all the time, and still cruises at 120kph at between 5000 and 5500 revs. The XT has so much torque, you don't really need very low gearing off-road, unless you need a lot of acceleration. The rear tyre doesn't bog down in difficult terrain, open the throttle in first or second gear and it the rear tyre just rips through.

Hey!

Well, 14 is going to be too low for me as it's going to decrease the distance between the top part of the frame chain slider which simply won't work for me...

I'll take a few pictures so you can see what I mean...


Still I'd rather go up to 16-50 than 15-47 because of the clearance issue I mentioned above.. which gives approximately the same gear ratio 3.133(3) from the 15-47 and 3.125 from the 16-50

Same reason as the above. Clearance!

I will only be using the XT onroad and try to avoid any offroading with the XT as it just doesn't feel built for it (too heavy) plus, I've spent too much money on her mainly with new plastics and all the other mods.. :innocent:

I rather use my 2002 DT125R for offroading.. :ban:

Anyway, have to decide on what to do SOON!


Vando beer

Hey guys,
3 questions.....
- Are JT Sprockets hard wearing ?
- What are the standard size sprockets on the 2002 XT600E ?
- Ralph, your choice of 14/45 sounds like an all-rounder. Would this be suitable for UK to South Africa, testing all terrain types ?

And 1 idiot question to show my lack of knowledge....
1. Are all chains and sprokets compatible on similar sized bikes ? - ie: JT Sprocket for XT with DID 520 chain...etc...(how do I know if they will work together?) :blushing:

Thanks

all XT600E (since 1990) have the 15-45 stock sprockets although I think some sprockets are different in design. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

All 520 chains fit on the XT as long as the number of chain links is 106.
520 is the "space" between each chain link...

Although 525 chains are almost the same they won't work on the XT unless you fit a 525 chain and sprockets conversion kit so don't be conned!


JT sprockets seem to be pretty good.
Haven't read any bad things about it, ever!


Also, no. Sprockets are most of the times bike-specific!
This is so, because the "sprocket axle" has a determined spline design that varies for most every bike out there...



Vando beer

the are 2 lenght of shoulder on the back of the drive sprocket . the 4pt uses the longer one. JT sprocket are verry soft compared to OE yamaha ones . if you are after the longest lasting set up get OE sprockets and a good x ring gold chain .

I used almost nothing but JT on my trip and I usually got about 30000km out of a set. So, for me they are good.

Standard ratios 15/45 as stated by Vando

My ratios, yes, good for your trip.

Any brand of chain will fit any brand of sockets, so long as they are the same pitch and roller width. Read this to understand what that means Notes on Sprockets and Chains

I have to disagree with Vando, in that the difference between 520 and 525 isn't the space between the chain link (the pitch) these are both the same, it's the roller width that's different. Also, but I'm being pedantic here, you can't assume a 520 chain will fit your XT. That is the factory standard, but somebody may already have already put 525 chain and sprockets on it unbeknownst to you.

To be honest, for the cost of it, and for the length of your trip, I'd fit new chain AND sprockets before you go, so just makes sure you buy a compatible set.

Here is a picture of how my bike is right now...

the chain is off the bike but you can still see why I mentioned the 16-50 sprockets...

If you look closely you'll see that my new swingarm chain slider is already starting to show some minor wear hence the hideous larger rear sprocket I mentioned would give me quite some clearance lol


http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/1446/dsc03136xy.jpg


If anyone is asking themselves, when I sit on the bike the chain is almost in a good horizontal position.


BTW, look at the chain adjuster at the end of the rear spindle... it's barely at the end and the chain was still "loose".. so yeah, it has stretched quite a bit.

If I pull on some links I can see them moving ("stretching out")
Some of the links are completely worn out.. they don't move at all!



Vando :thumbdown:

Chainsliders/tighteners/wheels wears fast until they have the complete "shape" of the chain, so the whole chain "rests" on it. Untill then, the chain "cuts" its way through it.

But do what you find best. I think www.off-the-road.de have som pretty big rear sprockets for our bikes. I know they have atleast a sze 48, which together with a 16 on front should give you stock gearing. (same as 15/45)

Jens: Just had a look at that website.. they actually have the 50teeth sprocket lol

The thing is, that damn chain slider is expensive as hell :censored:

How many links would the chain have to be to be able to fit 16-50 sprockets? 108 or 110 links?


I'm gonna check today what if I'll actually need something bigger than 15-47.


:)

I would get at least 110. Just buy a 112 to be sure, and cut of the extra links. the undamaged links you remove can be used as a backup with 2 clip masterlink for field repairs. :thumbup1:

Hey Guys,
Apologies, rehashing a topic.

Im not sure whether to buy the standard size sprockets for my XT600E (15/45), or go with 14/45 for a trip from the UK to South Africa.

My riding buddy will be on a DRZ400S, Im not sure how this handles ?

I am leaning towards the 14/45, however I dont want to drop my top end speed significantly to make it a miserable ride for him, nor do I want to have to over rev my bike to keep up
However, my thought of the 14/45 was to avoid being a drag in the sand/ mud etc by getting bogged down and holding him back.

We plan to ride the dirt where possible but the there will obviously be long stretches of sealed road too. I realise the XT aint no boyracer at the best of times, so 60mph will be ok, as long as this isnt holding back the DRZ.

Im confused, I just need someone to make a deicison for me.

:scooter:

A good compromise would be a 47 rear sprocket.

Talk with you're buddy about a cruicespeed that you both will like, and gear the bike after that.

For a long trip, I would go stock, or even the other way. Depends on terrain.

+1 on the rear gives you about 200rpms more, OR to keep the same rpm as stock, you will have to go around 2km/h slower on theese bikes, depends on lot of things, but Its my rule of thumb :)

Thanks Jens.
So you suggest either a 15/47 or else just go with standard.

If I went with the 15/47 combo, do I need to buy a different size chain or will the standard size still fit without any issues ?

Do you think the standard set up would give me enough power and control in soft sand and mud at slow speeds ?

Thanks

My bike can use stock chain with 15/47. How much have you backed off the adjusters currently? If they're al the way forward, then no, it probably wont fit. I cant remember exactly how much difference there is in the adjuster for a 45 and a 47. I think its around 6 clicks (2 numbers)


For really loose heavy sand, a lover than stock gearing would be best. How much of that are you gonna ride ? you know whats best for you, but I woudl say, when in doubt, choose the lover gearing, and just go a bit slowe, or "ring her out" more on the tarmac.

I think a 47 is what you want, but only you will really know :)

You could also go stock, and bring a 14tooth along, doesnt take much time to change, but I dont know if its worth it for ya? You would probably go crazy if you should change oit several times during the day. But if would be nice if you know you got a longtarmac-day ahead. but as I said, perhaps not the best option for you, in this situation.