530 chain ?

[two-stroke-brit]

what does the 530 or 520 apply to when buying chain and sprockets ?.
thanks mark

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Here you go Mark, http://www.dimensionsguide.com/motorcycle-chain-sizes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tz375]

That would have to be the worst explanation on the planet.

Common chain sizes are in 1/8 of an inch so 530 is 5/5" x 3/8" ie it's 5/8 pitch and 3/8" width.
520 is 5/8 x 2/8 (or 1/4 inch if you prefer) (corrected)

So a 530 is wider than a 520 and uses thicker sprockets etc.

Most of our old bikes use a 530 chain and modern 150HP bikes use lighter stronger top shelf 520 chain. GSXR's are typically 525 or 5/8 x 2.5/8 (ie 5/16") and that's why you see light weight 520 kits for them. A heavy duty or race quality chain is much stronger than out old stock 530 chains and of course X ring and O ring last much longer before they lose power and wear out.

Obviously a 420 chain at 1/2" pitch needs more links to cover the same distance and a 630 (3/4" pitch) needs less links. If you ever change from a 630 chain to a 50 series (520/525/530) the sprockets have to change but the number of teeth also has to change. In reality it's the diameters of the sprockets that matter - not the number of teeth. Number of teeth are the result of a sprocket size, not the other way around.

Hope that helps

[H2RICK]

520 is 5/8 x 4/8 (or 1/2 inch if you prefer)

Ummm....no.....rather 5/8 x 2/8 (or 1/4 inch)

And the second "5" in the 525 chain designation refers to the fact that this size of chain has larger diameter rollers than a 520 chain. Same thing for the weird 532 chain used by some sportbikes before the switchover to 520 chain. The 532 chain has larger rollers than a 530 chain.

[tz375]

Err Thanks for catching that obvious error. Must have had a blond moment there.

[diamondj]

In case anyone is interested, I dug out Jughead's post on converting to a 520 chain for a T500:

To Adapt the T500 Countershaft Sprocket to a 520 Chain which is Narrower than the Stock 530 Chain you will need to Find a Sprocket from one of the Following Models.
Part # = 27511-41120
Part Description = SPROCKET,ENGINE
Model Count = 20
PE250B 1977
PE250C 1978
PE250N 1979
PE250T 1980
PE250X 1981
PE400T 1980
PE400X 1981
RM250A 1976
RM250B 1977
RM250C 1978
RM250C2 1978
RM250-N 1979
RM250-T 1980
RM370A 1976
RM370B 1977
RM400C 1978
RM400N 1979
RM400T 1980
RS250T 1980
RS250X 1981

To Adapt the rear to a 520 Chain you can contact Sprocket Specialist at http://www.sprocketspecialists.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and have a stock 530 Rear Sprocket Machined Down for $25.According to Zook-e the $25 Machine Bill covers 1 or More Sprockets to be Machined.
The Part Number for the Front Sprocket is 516 and Comes in sizes 11-16 Tooth and Costs $13.00
The Part Number for the Rear Sprocket is 159 and Comes in Sizes 30-71 Teeth Price Varies on What Size you Order.Cheapest Being $53 and the Most Expensive will be $99
The 159 Sprocket Covers the Following Suzuki Models According to the SS Website.
GS400 77-78
GS425 79
GS 450 80-83, 85-88
GS 550 B, C, N, ET, LZ SPOKE 77-82
GT 380 73-77
GT 500 76-77
GT 550 71-77
T500 68-75

Another Helpful Website with an Online Catalog ishttp://www.jtsprockets.com/52.0.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I found the Sprocket Specialist rears were about $55 to $59 per when I ordered them. The fronts I found on Ebay for around $10 per sprocket. And I was able to find 13, 14, and 15 tooth fronts.

As for a chain, since this set-up is narrower you can fit a 520 "O" ring or "X" ring chain with some clearance to spare. I've found the RK GB520MXZ3 (non o-ring) to work well and have excellent tensile strength. Best of all they turn up on Ebay from time to time for around $50 a chain.

Jim