Will my 81' GS450T accept a 530 o-ring RK chain w/o clearance problems ?

[grcamna2]

I will be going to pick-up my GS450 soon and wondered if an o-ring chain will fit,especially around the countershaft sprocket? I would be willing to try to somehow add a spacer in the front there(?)around the CS sprocket if that's even possible.Have any of you successfully installed a 530 o-ring chain on your GS450 ?

[John Park]

Yes.

If you're not sure of the condition of the countershaft sprocket, you might consider getting a fresh one to go with the chain. The 530 should only be about the thickness of an o-ring wider than the original.

[grcamna2]

Yes.

If you're not sure of the condition of the countershaft sprocket, you might consider getting a fresh one to go with the chain. The 530 should only be about the thickness of an o-ring wider than the original.

Have you installed a 530 o-ring chain ?

[John Park]

Have you installed a 530 o-ring chain ?

I'm not sure if you're asking about installation techniques or whether I'm actually running one.

I like using the Enuma EK X ring chains [X rings are just fancy shaped o rings that work way better] because they don't require any special tool. The pins on the master link extend further out and a nut screws down them to press the plate on; afterward a tap with a hammer breaks the excess off and that's it. Of course, it's now on for good, but that's just as well.

You have to either get the exact length for the bike or buy a long [120?] length and cut the excess off. As I recall, the length will be either 106 or 108 but that depends upon the sprocket sizes you have; the countershaft won't matter so much but the rear can be pretty much anything by now. So the 'specs' will only get you close unless your bike is stock and even then they used 42s and 45s . I think I'm running 16X42 these days.

Cutting the chain is easiest by grinding the pins down flush and then prying the plate off/driving the pins through; they're really on there and technique will depend upon the instruments of persuasion available. The usual 'measure at least twice before cutting' applies as they only supply one connector link....

You'll need a 32mm socket and a bar to get the countershaft off, if you have to. And probably an impact driver for the cover screws.

[grcamna2]

I'm not sure if you're asking about installation techniques or whether I'm actually running one.

I like using the Enuma EK X ring chains [X rings are just fancy shaped o rings that work way better] because they don't require any special tool. The pins on the master link extend further out and a nut screws down them to press the plate on; afterward a tap with a hammer breaks the excess off and that's it. Of course, it's now on for good, but that's just as well.

You have to either get the exact length for the bike or buy a long [120?] length and cut the excess off. As I recall, the length will be either 106 or 108 but that depends upon the sprocket sizes you have; the countershaft won't matter so much but the rear can be pretty much anything by now. So the 'specs' will only get you close unless your bike is stock and even then they used 42s and 45s . I think I'm running 16X42 these days.

Cutting the chain is easiest by grinding the pins down flush and then prying the plate off/driving the pins through; they're really on there and technique will depend upon the instruments of persuasion available. The usual 'measure at least twice before cutting' applies as they only supply one connector link....

You'll need a 32mm socket and a bar to get the countershaft off, if you have to. And probably an impact driver for the cover screws.

John,
I was asking if you have one on there and how it's running;is it real close to the crankcase w/ the stock size countershaft sprocket ?
I have an RK 530HFO o-ring drive chain that I bought from Sprocket Specialists a few years back for my 1986' VFR750 and have never used it,it's 120 links;I'll be using my chain breaker tool and cutting it to the correct length,that won't be a problem.The man I'm buying the GS450 from has had a couple of GS450's but has never attempted to install an o-ring 530 chain on any of them.

[John Park]

I've been using nothing but o-ring since whenever. There is no problem whatsoever. Clearance is plenty adequate. While the overall width is maybe 1.5mm wider - just a guess - the case side only sees half of that.

I have run into rub problems with the chainguard if the mounts are bent or otherwise goofy, but that's only on the old GS400s. Nothing that can't be persuaded with vicegrips and a hammer.

What is iffy is tire clearance at the back because the recommended 120/90 17 is almost unavailable and some 130/90s are close to the swingarm. I'm not really up to speed on that because I went to spoke 18s F&R years ago; just remember some cheapo 130 17 being awful close.

[grcamna2]

I've been using nothing but o-ring since whenever. There is no problem whatsoever. Clearance is plenty adequate. While the overall width is maybe 1.5mm wider - just a guess - the case side only sees half of that.

I have run into rub problems with the chainguard if the mounts are bent or otherwise goofy, but that's only on the old GS400s. Nothing that can't be persuaded with vicegrips and a hammer.

What is iffy is tire clearance at the back because the recommended 120/90 17 is almost unavailable and some 130/90s are close to the swingarm. I'm not really up to speed on that because I went to spoke 18s F&R years ago; just remember some cheapo 130 17 being awful close.

Thanks for the help