I recently got a '89 cbr600 engine and the frame(which i dont need) and i needed to get a few parts for the engine so i could put it in a sand rail and i have a few questions. 1. how many times should the clutch lever on the engine be wound for proper tension on the lever on the handle bar when installing the clutch cover? 2. Do you think i would have to run the chain from the front sprocket to the rear sprocket, and from there a small sprocket to another large sprocket on the axle to acquire a decent gear ratio? 3. How long are these engines supposed to last? 4. How well would it run in the winter? 5. Is there anything that i should know about this engine before i put it in a sand rail such as problems that they are notorious for?

 

The clutch adjustment on the case is "snug" there should not be any freeplay in the arm on the side of the clutch cover. All clutch freeplay is adjusted at the handlebar lever. As far as turns out on the case adjustment is concerned, every bike is different. I dont see why you would need a second chain and sprocket set, you should just be able to run directly from the engine to the axle. Your gear ratios can be adjusted by just using the 2 sprockets. I have a gear ratio chart from JT Sprockets I can email you if you like. Engine life varries by bike. I have seen them blow to bits in as little as 20,000. But it depends on the owners and how the maint was on it. With regular oil changes, carb tune ups and valve adjustments, an engine can last a very long time. Running it in the winter will only be a problem depending on the temperature. If it is jetted for the summer say 80ish degrees F, and then you want to run it say at 5 degrees F. Its going to run very lean, because as I am sure you are aware, the colder it is, the richer the mixture needs to be. Problems with the engine? Well, there is of course the CCT which can get a bit noisey. A new adjuster is 48 bucks or so, and the tensioner itself is about 60. The rivets on the outer clutch to the flywheel can get a little loose causing clutch chatter, a new outer clutch is about 300 bucks. Other than that, they are notorious for carb troubles.

 

Well, the reason why i thought about using more than two sprockets is because i dont want a really big sprocket on the axle because then it lowers the ride height and also poses a problem if i hit a rock. I got this engine with 13,xxx miles on it and im not sure how well the previous owner maintained it. So i guess no winter driving because i dont want to have to open up the carbs and tune them just for a few runs and then have to tune them back. Im not sure what CCT is, something to do with the cam?

 

well, either way for low end youll want a larger sprocket on ther axle. Yes the CCT is the cam chain tensioner.

 

What is the stock size of the rear sprocket? What size is the chain? What is the average run time on a tank of gas? How water resistant is the wiring? What kind of performance upgrades can i get for the engine that don't require modifying parts? What is a good exhaust on a tight budget?