DR Gets New Chain and Sprockets

When I bought the 2007 DR two years ago, it was in great condition, but hadn't been ridden for a while.  It was the local Suzi dealer's personal bike, but he never rode it, so it sat waiting for a new owner, sometimes outside...in the rain.  I remarked that the chain was fairly rusty-looking in places, but was given assurances that the chain would recover after lubrication and use.  Initially I heavily lubed it, and it functioned reasonably well; however, after two cleanings and re lubing it was evident that three links were jammed and the rest of the chain behaved like an arthritic snake.  I rode it all last season despite that.  It was particularly noticeable when the bike was wheeled around: it took more and more effort to move it, and when lubing the chain on the milk crate stand I use, the wheel would no longer spin freely, but stop almost immediately.  Funny though, it didn't stretch very much over the two years.   It did make a noise though, which was particularly noticeable when it was wheeled from one place to another - a sort of grinding with a triple click every revolution where the jammed links had to make it round the confined space of the counter-shaft sprocket...

Well all that's sorted now.  I spent a few hours yesterday replacing all the sprockets, relubing the rear bearings, axle etc and shortening the new chain to 55 links, then installing it and using the snap link to shut it.  Wow, what a difference.  I haven't ridden it yet, but the back wheel spins like it never has.   Can't wait for the dirt!