530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
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- Rassie
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530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I just did a search and read that it is possible to run an O-ring chain on a GT750 if you put an extra lock washer behind the sprocket in the front.
I want to get an O-ring 530 chain for my GT (running white wheels so running a standard chain will always end up a mess) has anyone here used a 530 O-ring chain with the washer behind the front sprocket here without any clearance issues? Does it matter which brand of chain or do I have to find the narrowest one? I also read here that the DID chains tend to be the narrowest. Any advice or input from anyone who has done this will be much appreciated.
I want to get an O-ring 530 chain for my GT (running white wheels so running a standard chain will always end up a mess) has anyone here used a 530 O-ring chain with the washer behind the front sprocket here without any clearance issues? Does it matter which brand of chain or do I have to find the narrowest one? I also read here that the DID chains tend to be the narrowest. Any advice or input from anyone who has done this will be much appreciated.
Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
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- jabcb
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
Looks like the x-ring chains are a bit narrower than the o-ring chains.
DID chain specs are here: http://www.didchain.com/chainSpecs.html
EK chain specs are here: http://www.ekchain.jp/product/street_bikes.html#srx
At 23.3mm wide, the x-ring DID 530VX looks to be the narrowed of these x- & o-ring chains.
Sorry, don't know about the other brands.
DID chain specs are here: http://www.didchain.com/chainSpecs.html
EK chain specs are here: http://www.ekchain.jp/product/street_bikes.html#srx
At 23.3mm wide, the x-ring DID 530VX looks to be the narrowed of these x- & o-ring chains.
Sorry, don't know about the other brands.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
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Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
- Rassie
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
Thx jabcb. Looks like the DID Pro-Street X-ring 530 VX is @ 23.30mm is only .30 mm wider than the heavy duty 530 regular chain at 23mm. I am sure that will clear. Still interested to hear what others here have experienced though.
Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
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1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
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- jabcb
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
Might be useful to measure the width (pin length) for your existing chain.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
- Rassie
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
jabcb wrote:Might be useful to measure the width (pin length) for your existing chain.

Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
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1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I ran an o-ring chain on my 77 Gt750. All it took was an extra lock washer behind the front sprocket. Those washers are only about 1mm, but it was just enough. Only cleared the case by .25mm, but that's as good as a mile as there is no side play as the chain passes over that sprocket.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
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1976 GT550 ongoing money pit.
- sfront
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I'm running a RK 530 X-ring chain on my '77.
I bought an offset sprocket from Purple Haze.
I think its a standard H2 sprocket.
I then spaced the rear sprocket out to align it. 2 millimeter.
I used an old sprocket and just machined it down to size.
The only issue I had was tweaking the chain guard to clear the relocated chain.
If I were to do it again I think I'd go with the same offset but convert
everything over to 520.
I bought an offset sprocket from Purple Haze.
I think its a standard H2 sprocket.
I then spaced the rear sprocket out to align it. 2 millimeter.
I used an old sprocket and just machined it down to size.
The only issue I had was tweaking the chain guard to clear the relocated chain.
If I were to do it again I think I'd go with the same offset but convert
everything over to 520.
Last edited by sfront on Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
STEVE
So what if it was short.......I still had a great time!
So what if it was short.......I still had a great time!
- Rassie
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I just checked my 530 setup today for the first time with the bike off the lift and I am going to have to go down to 520. There is just not enough clearance around the swing arm area and the rear wheel. I will take all the covers off tomorrow and take a closer look, but it was making all sorts of noises just wheeling it around in the garage.
Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
2019 Yamaha Tracer 900
1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
1980 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer project
1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project
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- sfront
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I didn't think a washer up front was enough clearance for the oring chain.
But it sounds more like chain guard issues for you.
A 530 Xring does fit and works fine.
I've had mine on since I finished the bike and have had zero issues.
Like I said, I had to tweak the chain guard to favor the outboard side.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3361&start=45#p101576" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But it sounds more like chain guard issues for you.
A 530 Xring does fit and works fine.
I've had mine on since I finished the bike and have had zero issues.
Like I said, I had to tweak the chain guard to favor the outboard side.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3361&start=45#p101576" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
STEVE
So what if it was short.......I still had a great time!
So what if it was short.......I still had a great time!
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I dont understand what makes a 530 o ring wider compared to a 530 non o ring? Lets say you have one of each, both having tensile strength of 9k pounds. Link and plate thickness should nearly be the same. Do oring chains have longer pins because of the o rings and thats the only difference ? Can someone list a brand and model they had absolutely no problems with. More options listed, the better. I know it would help me.
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
Rassie wrote:I just checked my 530 setup today for the first time with the bike off the lift and I am going to have to go down to 520.
As mentioned here, I don't think the issue is in running a 530 chain...... the problems arise when you try to fit O ring instead of X.jabcb wrote:Looks like the x-ring chains are a bit narrower than the o-ring chains.
'78 GT750 
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- Rassie
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
My current issues is not related to an O-ring chain but due to the fact that I have a custom swing arm and a 160 section tire. I currently have installed the stock 530 chain just to check if everything works. So this issue is somewhat unexpected since my swing arm is the same length as the the stock one and I took very careful measurements throughout the build process. After a quick look again last night it looks like the supposedly 530 rear sprocket they sent me from Sidewinder is in actual fact a 520 so the chain can move from side to side with about 1.5mm of play. I will take the whole lot off in the next few days and figure what is going on.
My research so far tells me that running a 530 DID X-ring chain with a washer behind the front sprocket will work just fine. It is only .4 of a millimeter wider than a stock 530 chain.
My research so far tells me that running a 530 DID X-ring chain with a washer behind the front sprocket will work just fine. It is only .4 of a millimeter wider than a stock 530 chain.
Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
2019 Yamaha Tracer 900
1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
1980 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer project
1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
2019 Yamaha Tracer 900
1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
1980 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer project
1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project
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- Around the block
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
Ah - OK - wasn't aware of that..............Rassie wrote:My current issues is not related to an O-ring chain but due to the fact that I have a custom swing arm and a 160 section tire.
'78 GT750 
'84 GPZ900R

'84 GPZ900R
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
will be putting an o ring chain on my 380. looking at the bolts location. the lock washing cant be too large or it will cover the holes for the bolts. anywhere special you found the washer? trying to get this finished tomorrow.
- Rassie
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Re: 530 O-Ring chain on a GT750?
I used an OEM washer, one exactly the same as the one on the outside.
Rassie,
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
2019 Yamaha Tracer 900
1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
1980 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer project
1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project
2023 Kawasaki ZX4RR
2019 Yamaha Tracer 900
1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
1980 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer project
1973 Suzuki GT750 Resto-mod project