Forgot to answer this one...turned out that upon v-close inspection, that 5 links had been replaced with some type of s-bike 520 chain, (ie, 2mm wider). (This 'trick' will work on older bikes, but not modern ones such as this, with such tight clearances...) But anyway I got tired of trying to fix all the things/flaws that were 'built into' the RM strait from the factory, rat bike or not, and dumped it. Got a '96 CR250 for a second bike, instead. ---Even tho I bleed lime green when cut, I must admit that Hondas are SO engineered...sigh.