OK....Finally Installed New Chain And Sprockets...

yesterday. Blew the bank account for DID oring chain and 16/38 sprockets. The original stock 1978 chain was starting to spit out its orings :ohmy: so I figured it was time. The rear sprocket looked acceptable but the front sprocket was pretty much finished....even with all the chain lube I lavished on everything....and this after only
~7500 kilomatres (~4600 miles). Soooo....I replaced everything since even high-end aftermarket sprockets are reasonably priced.
What a time consuming and tedious job but all went well except removing the countershaft sprocket nut.
I had to resort to oxy/acetylene to loosen up the nut. Even a 1/2" SnapOn air impact wouldn't move it with 120 PSI air powering the wrench. Otherwise from that, all went well if somewhat slowly.
First riding impressions:
1) No problems off the line with acceleration or having to slip the clutch or anything like that. Great !!!
2) I can now ride in 3rd or 4th where before I would have ridden in 4th or 5th.
3) Engine speeds have dropped by about 500-600 RPM in 5th for the same highway speeds e.g. at 100km/hr (~60MPH) I'm now turning about 4400RPM instead of 5000RPM.
4) Acceleration through the gears is NOT quite as frantic as with the stock 16/43 gearing....but then I'm not using the bike at the dragstrip, either.
All in all, this looks like the way to go for anyone using the bike mainly for solo commuting and/or solo highway trips. The 650 engine pulls well from about 4000RPM so that dovetails nicely with this style of gearing.....a win/win setup, IMO.

.....a win/win setup, Indeed ! Nice to get the rpms down for a more relaxed ride .

My bike is due for a chain and sprocket change.
The chain has a few tight links.
It's actually been on there since the '80s, put on at about 25000 kms.
I've got over 70000 on the bike now.
The adjusters still have plenty of room to move back though.

What length of chain did you buy Rick?