Where can I get a 58T rear sprocket? Having trouble finding one.Also if they are flat,do I need to space it out to line up with the front? What do I need for that? Mine is a 2006 XT.

Ken R.

Cigar Mike, So two master links is an issue? Is this a known no-no as that was what I had planned to do (if you can buy links) although I did not yet price out a new chain. I imagine I will need a longer chain if I go to a 50 tooth rear sprocket even if I also go down to a 14 in front. It seems like such a shame to toss out that brand new shiny chain that came with the bike!
Telstar.

i use 14/15/16 front and 52 rear.

Telstar_2112,

I have always been told that it is a bad practice. It is the weak link in the chain. I was looking on line to see if I could find some information on this from the "Experts" but have not come across anything.

Most of the Big Four Dual Sports don't have case guards in front of the chain to protect the case. If your chain breaks it usually will jam up at the front sprocket and the case. It can cause major damage to your cases. Because of this I want my chain to be as reliable as possible. Not to mention how exciting it can get when this happens. If it jams in the rear wheel at speed and the rear wheel locks up, it can get real exciting.

Lubing your chain is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent damage. No mater what anyone says, you must lube an o-ring chain. WD-40 is not a chain lube! People will tell you that it is all they use. The solvents in it will remove the lube from the chain and make your wear increase. When this happens it will rob you of power and reliability. WD-40 dries and leaves a powdery coat that does nothing to protect your chain.

I could be wrong about the two master links, but I don't believe I am.

Cigar Mike

Thanks Cigar Mike, and I agree about the WD-40. Besides not lubing well at all, I think WD-40 is bad for O-rings.

WD40 is great as a solvent and a lube for some stuff, but for chains you need something waxy that will stick long term. Definitely agree with ya'll

I am really digging sidewinders lube, goes on with a fizz and tends to keep my chain wetter longer than a wax lube. I still have to relube after everyride due to the extreme mud and water I go through.

I got a teflon O-ring chain which can handle WD-40 but I don't trust it for around the front sprocket bearing seal.

This will always be one of those debates, like moto oil vs auto oil. I personally use WD-40 on my o-ring chain. I went 5000 miles on a KLR650 using it before I sold the bike and 2000 so far with my XT. A good friend of mine went over 10,000 miles on an o-ring chain on his KLR using only WD. and this was on/off road, winter salt, everything. And after that I don't think the chain was in bad shape, but he did replace it.

I'm not saying it's the best stuff for a chain but I don't think it hurts either. It's cheap and it doesn't attract dirt/sand and you can buy it anywhere.

Karl

Karl,

I know what you are saying. I have heard the same thing from others. I think it really shows the quality of the 520 o-ring chains. Most good ones have a tensile strenght of 8,000 lbs. Using it on a 40 Horse Power KLR doesn't really stress the chain as much as the higher horse power models that run that size. Coupled with it's poor lubricating properties when dry, it is reducing the useable power the KLR might have. I have to wonder how long the chain would have lasted using a good lube

The XT is running the 428 that is small even for a 125 two stroke. I don't feel comfortable using WD40 when so much is at stake if the chain fails. It is probably unlikely that it will fail because of using WD40, but why use it when so many other good products are available. It will probably only wear the chain and sprockets faster.

As far as availablity. Since we are motorcyclist and not just someone that rides once in a blue moon. We should all be aware of how important lubrication of the chain is and to be sure we have enough to get the job done. Would you ride without a helmet? Hope not. Would you ride with a unlubed chain? I hope not.

I you feel comfortable using it, I hope there is never a reason to wish you hadn't. I just thought it was important to point riders in the right direction rather then a questionable one. I think there is less potential problems related to using a good quality chain lube.

If I am not mistaken, Muniac doesn't use anything but WD40 on his chain either. I respectfully disagree.

Tru,

I have heard good things about the Sidewinder Lube also. They do make some good products.

I have read that in the "old days" the chains ran in a oil bath and were completely encased. At least the lubes have gotten good enough to not need to do that anymore.

Cigar Mike

I have the stock chain as far as I know, what difference does it make?