will any 219 pitch chain do for a cam chain or do I need to get the OEM?

[DimitriT]

Hi folks,

This is for the 1982 GS550L.

I have a new 120 link EK 219H and a master link I can rivet in. The chain is the same pitch as OEM but thicker 12mm vs. 11.35mm. Assuming I can thread the chain to replace the old one is there a reason I should spend the $$$ on an OEM and not use the chain I have?

There may be a slight length different since the OEM pins are thinner but if the timing is off I can still just replace it with OEM if I have to.

If anyone knows of a place I can buy a chain which matches the OEM, I'd like to hear from you. Bike Bandit is the only place I've found it and they want $106 for it.

[Steve]

Bike Bandit "has it".

Highly doubtful, as virtually all of the online vendors have to order through the Suzuki warehouse, then send it to you (which is why it usually takes two weeks to get your orders).

Parts Outlaw "has it" for $101.99.

.

[GregT]

What make is your 120 link 219T ? The camchain of choice used to be Tsubaki but it's become unavailable.
I've been using DID 219H heavy duty for at least 20 years now with very good longevity - in race engines.

[Sandy]

If you order OEM my bet is it's an endless chain.

[DimitriT]

The chain I have is an EK 120H. It's a nice chain. Much heavier than OEM. It should last longer without stretching. Last night I threaded it through the bottom end and had no clearance issues. I was worried the chain would be too wide to pass through something down there or would not clear the tensioners. Seems to be ok.

Unfortunately I screwed up. When shortening it to 116 links I removed four outer plates (8 links) rather than two. So now the chain is too short. I can extend it by a few links by rivetting on two master links. But do I really want a cam chain with two master links

Now I have to decide whether to spend the money for OEM and a master link.

DID 219 FTH seems to be very close to OEM, if not an exact match. I've only found one place on-line which sells it and they want $60. Plus a few bucks for a master link.

I've also found OEM for $96 in a few places.

[Tom R]

Look up d.i.d. 219 Gold on gold kart chain. It comes in fixed lengths, so you’ll have to buy long and spend $20 on a chain breaking tool (or make your own like I had to do to work on a cl175) to adjust to length. It’s the hot set up for gp200 race bikes, and has worked well on my gs1100 for the past 10,000 miles or so.

[DimitriT]

So I decided to chance it and run with two riveted master links with the 219H chain.

Once I got the links in place with the right count it went back together easy and I set the timing. For the first time in recent memory I was able to set the cam timing dead on. Everything is smooth turning by hand.

Thanks for all the help. Can't wait to run it.