March 17, 200818 yr O.K. I have an 04 Sherco 290. I believe I am supposed to have 101 links. The current chain is out of adjustment and the front sprocket is on it's last legs (or teeth I guess) and the chain tensioner is all the way up to the swing arm. I counted the links and I get 101 links not including the master link. Does that mean the previous owner just put on a 102 link chain? I want to get a Renthal R1 chain but everything comes in even lengths. I think that means I need a half link (offset link) which seems like it would be the.... he he he.... "weakest link". I can get an OEM chain from RYPUSA.com but have heard R1 is the good stuff. I am ordering new sprockets but am pretty confused on the chain....... If having a chain that is an odd length requires an odd link in the system why in the heck would any manufacturere ever do that? Not new to dirtbikes but new to trials. Seems like I should be able to go to the nearest bike shop and say "Hey Jim how's it going... yeah I need 10X links of 520 chain. I'll go get some 2 stroke oil while you cut it. Thanks have a nice day." And be riding that afternoon on the new stuff. Oh well any help is appreciated.
March 17, 200818 yr Hi,to count links (pitches) you miss the first hole,but count the last one.half links are weaker but sometimes a necessity,try a transmission supplier for industrial 520 chain it's cheaper off a roll than boxed cut lengths.
March 17, 200818 yr Get some over sized cams from here: Trialcast snail cams You don't need half links then.
March 17, 200818 yr I had an '02 Scorpa which was fitted with half a link from new but the '05 must have different size sprockets as it's got an even number. No idea why they would do that, I can't believe one more or one less tooth on the rear sprocket would have made that much difference.
March 18, 200818 yr A couple of thoughts as you need to get the "right stuff"! Since you are up there, call Mike Komer at the Tryals Shop. He should have what you need. As you are a newbie on a 2.9 as I recall, a gear change to a 44 rear(off the 125) might just even your links as I recall. As a gear change like this will have the effect of SLOWING the response a bit in a given gear(if you POP the clutch by mistake, the bike does not travel as far out from under you) and makes 4th and 5th more usable on the loop, you may like it. I ran my '03 that way, ran 2nd in most sections, 1st for tight stuff. Edited March 18, 200818 yr by copemech
March 18, 200818 yr Author I ended up saying screw it and got the OEM chain. I had read it wears well and it was just getting too frustrating. Plus spring is comming fast When the next time comes along to need to do chain and sprockets I will look at how the summer felt on the bike and whether I want to change sprockets or do something else but the bike will facilitate an even link chain when I am done either way. I would think going from 42 to 44 teeth would add two links which would have me right where I am now but who knows. I will deal with it when this one wears out!
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