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[Wheaters]

Most of the above can be achieved with a close ratio conversion without spending (probably) more than a 350 is worth

Possibly, but a CR gear set isn't much use when you want to do some green laning as well as tarmac work. If the upper three gear ratios are brought closer, you've created a gap elsewhere....or have to slip the clutch to get moving from rest.

I sold my 4 speed box a couple of weeks ago for the same amount that the 5 speed one cost me. Admittedly, I did have to spend another £50 to convert the 5 speed to right hand change to suit to layout of my bike.

My late brother had a little Honda 125 trail bike that had a ratio change lever on top of the gearbox, so it had high and low range gears - I think it had either 8 or 10 gears, a bit like a LandRover! Shame RE didn't do this.

[PeteF]

I found thr CR just evened out the gaps and 1st was plenty low enough still.
You can always drop a tooth on the sprocket if you go agricultural at all.
I do agree the 5 speed is a better solution if funds allow.

[Wheaters]

I ran a 46 tooth rear sprocket for a while. Anyway, my 4 speed is gone to a new owner who had issues with the one he already had. The 5 speed conversion has transformed the bike. It’s made it far more pleasant to ride. I retained the one down, four up selection it came with.

[Allanfox]

Thanks for the feedback chaps, I like the 350 and put some great miles on it over the weekend, some good tips and will start tweaking, it is a 2008 reg Watsonian converted trails one, so has a pancake filter and upswept pipe (Briteuro), guess just the simple bolts on parts. Maybe a concentric would do some good.

Daiwiskers mentioned retarding the inlet cam timing, guess that would open the valve sooner? Is it just by moving the cog 'back' one tooth?

[Wheaters]

It retards the valve opening.

I tried it for a while on my 350 and although it did seem to give more top end, it made the bike less happy to potter at low speeds. As I wanted to use the bike off road, I changed it back.

[Bullet Whisperer]

The 350's take retarding the inlet cam better when they are fitted with a high compression piston, or they will feel a bit gutless at low rpm. The 500's have the 'cubes' to live with it on standard compression. Retarding the inlet timing opens and closes the inlet valve later.

[Allanfox]

Ok, ta!