I've been reading this topic with great interest.I have no idea what revs an xbr 500 normally pulls,since mine had a knackered piston when I bought it.I have run my xbr for a few years now with an xl 600 barrel and piston,compression ratio unknown but pretty high.It is reluctant to rev over 6000,although it will do so in the lower gears if I insist.It pulls like a train in top,and if I want it will sit effortlessly at 80 - 85 for as long as I want.Top speed is about 95-98 sitting normally,just over 6000 rpms,which it reaches without too much effort.Question for the cognoscenti-has my 600 got a lower powerband/rev range due to having a 600 piston?The 600s have a power band about 1000 rpms lower than the 500,all else being equal.Should I fit a 16 tooth gearbox sprocket?