1980 GS1000e sprocket question?

[winmag4582001]

New owner, new to forum and new to old Suzuki’s

PO had “upgraded” the chain and sprockets to the 530. He drove mainly longer distances on the highway. He went with a 18/49 gear setup? Any particular reason someone would do that? Seems to be very close to the factory final drive ratio, but he added about 2lbs of extra chain to go around those gears. Since I have it all tore apart right now, is it worth going back to a 530 with the stock teeth counts or is the POs setup fine?
TIA

[Steve]

I am getting confusing information in your post.

- You say the PO upgraded to a 530 chain. That's good. (Stock is 630.)

- You say the sprockets are 18/49. That's good. (Stock ratio would have required 50.4, so 50 or 51.)

- You say there is about two pounds of extra chain. You did not mention an extended swingarm, where is all the extra chain? 530 chain is a lot LIGHTER than the stock 630 chain.

- You say you want to go back to a 530. It's already there.

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[winmag4582001]

I am getting confusing information in your post.

- You say the PO upgraded to a 530 chain. That's good. (Stock is 630.)

- You say the sprockets are 18/49. That's good. (Stock ratio would have required 50.4, so 50 or 51.)

- You say there is about two pounds of extra chain. You did not mention an extended swingarm, where is all the extra chain? 530 chain is a lot LIGHTER than the stock 630 chain.

- You say you want to go back to a 530. It's already there.

.

Sorry if it sounded confusing.
Should I go back to the 15/46 sprockets or is 18/49 fine?
i would stay with 530 because it’s cheaer.
with the 18/49 there’s a considerable amount of length added to go around the bigger sprockets....

[dorkburger]

Stay with the 530. Much greater availability.
530 sprocket teeth are smaller, so while the link count may increase, the overall chain length will likely be similar to the 630.

[winmag4582001]

Stay with the 530. Much greater availability.
530 sprocket teeth are smaller, so while the link count may increase, the overall chain length will likely be similar to the 630.

OK. But should I go back to the original sprocket size or just leave it at 18/49?

[81gs7501166]

I have the small chain. I ran 17/51 , for acceleration, for years. Recently I went to 18/51.
for day trips. This is close to stock gearing. If u want more bottom end, put a 17, on front.

[Nessism]

OK. But should I go back to the original sprocket size or just leave it at 18/49?

You can not run a 530 chain with the stock teeth count for a 630 chain because the sprocket diameters will be too small. An 18T 530 sprocket is the same diameter as a 15T 630 sprocket.

[posplayr]

[winmag4582001]

You can not run a 530 chain with the stock teeth count for a 630 chain because the sprocket diameters will be too small. An 18T 530 sprocket is the same diameter as a 15T 630 sprocket.

I won’t mix pitches or chain sizes... that much I do know.
Think I’ll just keep it as is since the sprockets are in very good shape and the chain only has 1000 miles on it.
Thanks guys

[Steve]

What we are trying to say is that the 530 chain uses shorter links, so the pins are closer together. Because they are closer together, it takes more of them to make the same length chain or to go around a circle (sprocket) of a given diameter.

Bottom line: place a 15-tooth 630 sprocket on top of an 18-tooth 530 sprocket, they are the same diameter.
Same comparison for the rear sprockets.

The chains are pretty much the same length, but the 530 chain has more links. The "5" says that it is 5/8" between pins. The "6" says it is 6/8" (3/4") between pins. That means that 60 inches of 630 chain will have 80 links. That same 60 inches of 530 chain will have 96 links.

If you use the same 15 tooth count on a front 530 sprocket, the sprocket will be smaller, and the chain will be hitting on the swingarm. You need to have a larger sprocket to keep the chain away from the swingarm. An 18-tooth 530 sprocket has the same diameter and will do the job.

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[winmag4582001]

What we are trying to say is that the 530 chain uses shorter links, so the pins are closer together. Because they are closer together, it takes more of them to make the same length chain or to go around a circle (sprocket) of a given diameter.

Bottom line: place a 15-tooth 630 sprocket on top of an 18-tooth 530 sprocket, they are the same diameter.
Same comparison for the rear sprockets.

The chains are pretty much the same length, but the 530 chain has more links. The "5" says that it is 5/8" between pins. The "6" says it is 6/8" (3/4") between pins. That means that 60 inches of 630 chain will have 80 links. That same 60 inches of 530 chain will have 96 links.

If you use the same 15 tooth count on a front 530 sprocket, the sprocket will be smaller, and the chain will be hitting on the swingarm. You need to have a larger sprocket to keep the chain away from the swingarm. An 18-tooth 530 sprocket has the same diameter and will do the job.

.

Perfect! That fully explains it!
i understand the change from 630-530, I just didn’t know why the size was changed, but clearance makes perfect sense.
Thank You

[Rob S.]

Can someone explain why both the front and rear sprockets were increased at the same time?

As I understood it, the rear is increased for greater acceleration off the line, and the front is increased for lower revs on the highway.

[Steve]

Can someone explain why both the front and rear sprockets were increased at the same time?

As I understood it, the rear is increased for greater acceleration off the line, and the front is increased for lower revs on the highway.

They were increased because of the change from 630 to 530 chain. It has been mentioned in posts 4, 7 and 10 that the chain pitch (distance between the pins) has been reduced. In order to keep the same diamater sprocket, it will take more pins. "More pins" means a higher tooth count.

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[winmag4582001]

FWIW I decided to go with 17/52 for the sprockets. 530 chain. The bike will be used for hammering around town and the foothills.

Prior to my son buying and building his motorcycle in April, the last motorcycle I owned was a 1993 FZR600. Back then I did the jets, -1 tooth on the front sprocket and a D&D pipe. I forgot how fun a motorcycle was. (In 1993 I had a mullet, Oakley Blades and a purple crotch rocket. Because I was cool!)

[limeex2]

Back when I raced GS's in production classes, it was legal to change chain and gearing. By switching from 630 to 530 we picked up so much speed from when we changed, I was accused of cheating. No one ever figured it out. My 1000 Versys uses a 525 and I use a 520 on my Speed Triple, which came with a 530. I have 2 sets of almost new 630 chain/sprockets which are from a couple bikes I picked up. Make me an offer I cant refuse