Sprocket Specialists actually offers a 520 conversion kit for the XT350, but their rear sprocket is aluminum. I wanted steel for durability, so I ordered the Sprocket Specialists P/N 5133-15 (front), and from JT Sprockets, the P/N JTR845-41 (rear). The dash numbers of course, are the number of teeth. FYI-the 1984 Yammi XT250 (which came stock with a 520 chain, etc) has the same "attachment interface" for the rear sprocket as the XT350. No idea why they put a smaller chain on a machine with a larger engine.
Can someone give a brief synopsis of the benfit of the 520 conversion? I have read the whole thread and understand the majority opinion that the stock chain is "too small", but what does this mean in practical terms? Is to just too tight for full movement of the swingarm offroad or what?
Basically, the 428 chain is undersized for the torque of the 350 motor.....meaning more chain "stretch", faster wear, and likelihood of potentially breaking a chain damaging the engine case, etc. (all in the middle of nowhere). The 520 setup is simply more robust.
Thanks for the information. My intention is to get the same size sprockets that you did, so one final question...What chain did you buy and from whom and how many links?
I just purchased the least expensive o-ring chain I could, as its tensile strength number was still significantly higher than the best 428 chain available to me. RK was the brand I believe. As for the links, I won't have access to the bike until Monday, so I'll have to get back to you. I purchased a 120 link and cut several links off. Also. I just clarified one of my previous posts involving the '84 XT250.....applicable to the rear sprocket only.
Easy enough, the 428 chain was only marginally strong enough for a stock XT350. But I could at least get one to last as long as the rear tire. But once it was uncorked mine ate chains like candy. All it took was one serious hard offroad ride to stretch even the best 428 chain into junk. Which meant that it then started to eat the sprockets. Plus it broke the chain twice and destroyed a countershaft sprocket once. Knobbies plus extra power were too much for that stupid minibike chain. I didn't know there was a 520 conversion when I had that bike or I would have gone that route in a heartbeat. As it was was, I simply replaced the chain as soon as it kinked or stretched beyond use. I quit buying o-ring chains and started using high strength regular chains because my bike ruined o-ring chains just as quickly as non o-ring. So it didn't make sense to pay more for an o-ring chain. In my case, no matter what the 520 conversion cost, it would have been cheaper than buying so many chains. Not to mention ruined rides, a VERY ugly crash once and a busted engine case from chains breaking. In other words "too small" means not strong enough to handle the power and weight of an XT350.
Any one have a stock muffler sittin around they want to get rid of? My son needs to loose the Suppertrap on his 97 XT350. He will be doing assorted mods to make the bike his . But now its just too noisy.
I am supposed to go and pick up an XT350 on Sunday....was hoping you guys could give me some suggestions as to what to look for? What would indicate if a valve adjustment has been done recently? Noises, starting symptoms, etc? Mileage is 13k or so, what should I worry about/ look for? Anything else you can suggest would be appreciated.....I will be sure to post some pictures afterward.....
Oil leaks from the cover gasket Valve clearance isn't hard to check and it seems to stay good for a long time.
Ok so my intake boot is shot. But the factory replacement is about $80 for a set. Pretty steep considering what it is. I was looking at it and the only thing that seems to be wrong with it is that it tends to lift off the boss thats bolted to the head. Is that supposed to be one piece with the boot bonded to the boss becasue i dont see how the boot would be held there securely otherwise. Right now the only thing holding it there is the force of the other parts pushing on it. (Not enough) anyway if such is the case i was thinking i would just bond the boot back to the boss. Question 2. Turn signals. my turn signals do not work well. It would seem like they arent getting enough power. Even with a fresh battery and full charge they seem to come on at partial brightness but not blink. Also my light doesnt come on unless the engine is running. Is that normal. Is the battery circuit seperate from the signals and lights?
No headlight unless the engine is running. It runs off the stator not the battery. Make sure you don't have a 6v battery with 12v turn signal bulbs. The dealer f'ed up and put a 6v battery in mine once and it did that.
nope. Ive got 12v battery and a 12v bulb. but is the turn signal also tied in on the stator and not the battery? Edit: Ha!! problem solved. I just had a faulty turn signal relay. Luckily i had a box of old KLR 650 parts lying around and the relay was interchangable. Turns out the turn signals are driven off the battery but i guess thats pretty obvious to somone with working turn signals. In other news i went ahead and bonded the the boots back to the aluminum boss. (perhaps Magnesium due to its lightness) I know its bad practice but its worth a try better than the $80 it costs for new boots. Hopfully the finish product will be an elegant fix.
The bike has a headlight only ,and I'd like to get her "lit -up" so I can put plates on it. Does anybody have a wiring diagram fer this critter so I can re-wire it? thanks! ps-whats with the tiny chain on these things? pps-will a wiring harness from a xt250 come close to working on this bike-just bought a "new" harness for a 250 off ebay...
Mr O, XT350 wire diagram. Go here for some other ideas, http://www.pbase.com/corky1/xt_350_project_bike Good luck, Corky
Csavargo, Here is a fix for your intake manifolds. See picts Use wire wheel, remove rubber from manifold Find vinyl tube that fits over manifold cut to correct length small hose clamp over tube to intake manifold connect manifold to engine and connect to carbs. Good luck, Corky
Thanks corky. Sadly i had already dove into the project utilizing industrial gas resistant bond adhesive to bond the boot back to the boss. Im hoping it will work but it didnt solve the dry rot issue. I sprayed it up nice with silicone to try mitigate furthur dry rot. I like your solution a lot better than mine since it utilizes new rubber and is much more elegant of a fix. If / when my fix fails, i will be sure to use your advice.
Anybody know where I can buy a JT 845.41 rear sprocket? I know Sprocket Specialists has a 41 tooth aluminum rear for my 520 chain conversion, but I want to go steel. Help!
hola! anyone have some extra jets they can lend?? with the weather getting colder i wanna fatten it up and try some things for cold weather runs. also any carb parts?
