CR500/KX500 Chain Setups ?

[summitboy]

Just curious what others are doing as far as primary chain and gear combo's. On my 500 i'm trying to run a 14 tooth with the 17 top TS gear. This causes me to have to run a half link type chain. If i don't run the half link the chain is either way too tight or way too loose.

I'm guessing some have run a 14/16 combo.

I know MtnDoo had a similar 1/2 link setup on his KX500. Can't remember what Carbondaddy told me lol

What else have others done ?

 

[Ausm7499]

I have been running a 14/20, 17/17 the 14/20 works without a half link and the 17/17 works by removing the chain tentioner from the chain case. I am how ever planning on trying some different gearing this season because I can't rev 3rd out as much as I would like while climbing and I can't pull fourth so I want to gear up. Seems the best way to gear up is to use the half link which I have purchased. Looking at my gearing spreadsheet I am hoping that a 15/17, 17/20 will work for me. If that combination doesn't work or isn't quite tall enough then I will go with 14/17, 16/17

 

[summitboy]

Which half link did you purchase ? What chain will you use with it ? I think the final drive of .036 is where a guy wants to be for that 3rd gear on the pipe ! I am gonna start with 14/17/16/17.

Anyone else ?

 

[Ausm7499]

Which half link did you purchase ? What chain will you use with it ? I think the final drive of .036 is where a guy wants to be for that 3rd gear on the pipe ! I am gonna start with 14/17/16/17.

Anyone else ?

Same half link that you bought. I am going to try the 15 counter just because that's a lot cheaper then a Timbersled sprocket and I also weigh 215lbs so I don't think I will be able to gear as high as some of you guys can get away with.

 

[mtn-doo]

Which half link did you purchase ? What chain will you use with it ? I think the final drive of .036 is where a guy wants to be for that 3rd gear on the pipe ! I am gonna start with 14/17/16/17.

Anyone else ?

Ya Chris, that is a great ratio. Half link with the pin and key. Sorry I missed your call...slammed! I will call you asap.

 

[partypete]

How much track speed are you loosing just running a 13 tooth?

 

[summitboy]

13 still requires the half link. If you change the rear 1 tooth then a chain will fit normally. Blows. Wish TS had a couple more gear sizes.

 

[snorider99]

So which half link should I purchase for my kx500.. I didn't even know you could get half links lol

 

[summitboy]

Tsubaki makes a half link kit. It's used with their 520QR chain. I tried to make a half link work with a DID chain but it didnt work well. I wrecked one link and then decided to order the matching chain. Hopefully it will be a good chain lol

You can also buy a half link with little cotter pins which is what MtnDoo used with another brand of chain. He said he had to monkey with it a little but it did work and he ran it all last season.

I haven't seen other half links to my knowledge. DID and RK used to have a half link but that went away years ago. Too bad there isn't a 18tooth gear.

 

[swedenturbo]

Why half link? Just pick the sprocket that is best for correct chain tension. Then gear the chain case to the desired gearing. Am I wrong?

 

[tomk]

Hard part is timbersled doesn't sell too many different sprocket sizes so that's not always an option

 

[swedenturbo]

OK, I'm a DIY snowbiker so i machine my own sprockets.
Not that difficult to do. Just buy some 5/8" sprockets. You mostly find these at a industrial transmision supplier. With a lathe you machine tooth width to 5,8 mm and the boss just like OEM sprockets. The most difficult thing is the key wedge but many machine shops have a broch for that.
Don't buy tooth tempered sprockets as they are tough to machine.

 

[Ausm7499]

Tsubaki makes a half link kit. It's used with their 520QR chain. I tried to make a half link work with a DID chain but it didnt work well. I wrecked one link and then decided to order the matching chain. Hopefully it will be a good chain lol

You can also buy a half link with little cotter pins which is what MtnDoo used with another brand of chain. He said he had to monkey with it a little but it did work and he ran it all last season.

I haven't seen other half links to my knowledge. DID and RK used to have a half link but that went away years ago. Too bad there isn't a 18tooth gear.

So are you telling me that the half link kit I bought won't work with the chain provided with the Mountain horse kits? Seems if it's for a 520 chain it should work with any 520 chain.

 

[summitboy]

Well I tried a DID, RK, and EK(Timbersled chain I believe). The DID pins were smaller than the Tsubaki 1/2 link so they had slop in them which I didn't like.

The RK pins were too big (I think). I tried pressing pins which worked but they seemed loose in the links. Wasn't happy.

With the Tsubaki half I had to grind the ridges off inside links to make the chain pins work but it just didnt offer me a happy solution. I wrecked both first 1/2 links trying to make a viable solution.

Thus far the Tsubaki chain and half links seem to be the best fit. I didn't have to much faith in their chains until I talked with them on the phone and they assured me the chain is good Japanese steel and exceeds the 7000lb tensile strength.

MtnDoo used the cotter pin style half link with a good non oring chain. Can't recall but I think it mwas a EK chain. Not sure how the pins fit etc so you would have to ask him. I know he had to grind the inner link ridges but he was confident in it and ran it with out trouble.

Yes you can use a 16 tooth gear but it makes final gear ratios that I don't want. I do see that Regina makes a 1/2 link as well. Don't have one to try. I also saw a picture of a Renthal 1/2 link but not sure if they are still available.

 

[dhdey]

I managed to get a 13/17 to work on my cr500. But it is pretty damn tight. Can I cause damage by it being to tight?

 

[Ausm7499]

I am betting you had to force the chain down onto the sprocket with say c clamp to get your master link on. If this was the case you could damage the counter shaft bearing.

 

[dhdey]

I modified a pair of needle nose vise grips. But the chain really isn't insane tight. Pretty sure if would see worse load on counter shaft under full power from the engine. And being a brand new chain and sprocket after one ride should stretch and be perfect

 

[summitboy]

Make sure it's not rubbing on the bottom of the Timbersled subframe wearing a groove into the tubing. You don't want it to tight. Chain is not meant to run banjo tight like that. JMO

 

[Ausm7499]

So I decided to send back my Tsubaki half link kit since it won't fit my Timbersled chain. I would like to know what counter shaft sprocket and drive sprocket combo's will work without a half link on the CR500, I have only tried the 13-17, 14-17, 14-20.

13-17 Half link required
14-17 Half link required
14-20 No Half link required

I would like to know if a 15-17, 13-20 or 15-16 will work. If non of those work I may end up buying a Regina chain and half link from dirt tricks.

 

[ScarySlow]

I use two 16's and have found that I don't have to use a half link and get a great gear range for the bike.