Again i was told you need to look for 500mm between the swingarm pivot and the centre of the wheel, as a guide on length,

If this sounds like a stupid question, it probably is...why 500mm?

Would a slight increase (we're talking a couple of mm) in the wheelbase stabilise things?

Longer wheelbase will make it more stable. 500mm is the reason why the 996/8 boys buy a longer swingarm. The 999 one is indeed longer as std.

The Little things add up to make a big thing..

I've got a gold Tsubaki chain on my 749 - looks the muts nuts. I bought a 101 link one to accomodate a 41T rear sprocket. Wheelbase is a nadge longer than before.