Ordered a sprocket and chain....
 

After taking the KLX for some serious trail riding, I realized I was shifting too much. I found I was revving like crazy in first or chugging along in second just below the power band.
So I bought a 47T rear sprocket to help me stay in second with a little more power.
I thought I bought a 110 link chain, but got a 108.
Does anyone know if it will work?
I have the stock 14T up front.
Thanks!

Thats not much of a change, but it just may be enough..I really think the 13-45 is the perfect gears for the bike.

Not sure if a 108 will work with your 47 rear. My results:

13/14/15 & 49 with 110 link (prior setup)
13/14/15 & 45 with 108 link (current setup after 351 kit)

I have 14/47 gearing, but I can't remember the chain length I ended up with. So...I went out in the shop and counted. Even while fully sober, it kept coming up with between 53 and 54 "plates". I did this 3 times and got the 53 twice. Even if the count is 54, that's 108 links, I believe...correct? Now...something to consider is how big a tire you run if you use the shortest chain possible. If you run a decently bigger and more aggressive tire than stock, you run the risk of the tire rubbing the mud flap or other parts. On my setup I'm running a Kenda Parket Desert tire at 110/100/18, and it's decently close because I run a short chain that's set at the #1 snail adjuster position. Shorter chain equals better handling for axle position for my needs. That Parker model tire has some huge knobs, and we all know that tires size numbers are not always equal. You're right on the edge of fitment length depending on your tire size from what I can tell. Oh, and as I'm typing this I just thought about your year model and if that might affect the outcome. Mine is an '06...same as '07...so an '09 or later might be different, as I understand they have a different swingarm.

Revving like crazy in first is going pretty fast for really tight stuff. I find myself slipping my clutch in first quite a bit. I got a 13t last year to help, but haven't gotten it on yet. I guess that didn't help the chain question...

Wow, thanks for counting links TNC, above and beyond the call of duty.
Well, we'll see what happens...

IDRIDR - how often do you change out the front? I've only ever changed one, on my EX500, but it seems like it might be a good idea to go back and forth from dirt to street.


ns503 - I need to learn to slip the clutch, never thought of doing it, goes against years of trying to preserve clutches (in cars and on bikes), but I think I can finally handle redoing the clutch (if and when), especially with all the know how here on the forum.

Thanks guys!

I started at 13/49 as "training wheels" because I was new to dirt M/C when I got the KLX, and the guys I ride with do some pretty steep, slow, technical rocky stuff. Then moved up to 14/49, then 15/49 for most riding. But there are certain trails I went back to 13/49 and glad I did. How often? Maybe once a month on average.

OK, lets do the math....
45 to 47, means that it is 2 tooth longer. 1/2 of the sprocket is covered by the chain, so going to a 47 means the chain will be (2tooth x 1/2=) 1 link more sitting on the sprocket. One link is 5/8".... moving the rear axle forward by 5/16" will creat 5/8" slack (5/16" x 2 (top & bottom)).
So if your current chain allowance on the adj has about 5/16" available to the front of the mc, you should be good to go. Note: Wear is not calculated, so results may vary.

OK...my calculator burned up after the second set of computations. You owe me a calculator. I'll PM you the mailing instructions.:D

Silly boys and their dirt riding. Takes a real man to Motard :D

seriously though i find this thread interesting, i need to bump up my gearing now as first is practically useless and far to wheelie prone.