A 530 conversion question

[kbitzel]

82 GS 1100EZ 530 conversion

I'm working on my 82 1100 EZ and am converting to the 530 chain, replacing both the front and rear sprockets. After comparing the physical size of the rear 530 sprocket to the oem 630, the 530 is obviously smaller in diameter. But the front is also smaller in diameter. If the final drive ratio is determined by the number of teeth on the front as compared to the rear and that number stays the same as stock; 15 front, 42 rear, isn't the final drive ratio the same at 2.80 regardless of whether it's a 530 or 630 chain? Am I missing something? By the way I was told there would be no math in this rebuild.
This site has been a remarkable source of information throughout the process by the way.

Keith

[maro]

Up

looking for the answer on this one...

[Normk]

The ratio is the ratio. 15/42 is the same regardless of the chain size. One turn on the front sprocket advances the chain by 15 teeth, while 42 teeth on the rear sprocket makes one turn. It doesn't matter what is the chain size or the tooth size so long as they are engaged in the same media.

15 tooth drive gear to a 42 tooth driven is the same ratio as with the chain.

[Nessism]

Yes, the ratio is the same. But the 530 sprocket will be smaller diameter, which allows the chain to move closer to the swingarm and possibly hit it as slack develops in the chain. Also, with a small front sprocket there are friction losses compared to a larger sprocket since the chain doesn't have to turn as tightly so to speak.

[sparki]

indeed.... 15:42 is the same as 16:45 and is the same as 17:48 ish.

reason, as mention, to go larger on the front is that a 15T 530 is very close and can easily knock and/or scrape on the swingarm due to it's smaller diameter. So, to counteract that folk change up on the front (and down on the back to retain the correct ratio) to ensure the swingarm stays out of harms way.

depending on what you ride and/or how you ride it it may be a good time to go taller or shorter on the gearing too. if you like going out on runs on nice sunny mornings for breakfast then to save fuel you may choose to go smaller on the back to get better fuel consumption... if you see yourself as the next race star off the lights then go bigger on the back. down to you. look in your respective service manual and it'll tell you the ratio your 630 had when it came from the factory, then go from there.

hth

[kbitzel]

Thanks for all of the information. I should have posted prior to making my purchase of the front and rear sprockets in the 15 and 42 stock sizes. I hadn't even thought of the issue of swingarm clearance. I'll give it a close look on reassembly to see how close the chain comes to the swingarm. If too close for me, I guess I'll be removing the rear wheel and engine sprocket again for larger sprockets. Live and learn. Keith

[maro]

thanks for all the info guys! Looks like I'll be doing a 16 48T. It's more important to me to get a boost in the lower range. I think cafekid mentioned going a 17 so that you can go up or down on the back without changing your chain. I might do that actually.

[850 Combat]

all things being equal, a larger front sprocket is easier on the chain and on the sprocket. More teeth engaged and less of an angle movement at each link.

Most bikes were sold with gearing for impressive acceleration numbers in tests, and can be geared taller for more relaxed highway use without any real loss in useful function.

[kbitzel]

I just ordered the 17 tooth countershaft and 48 rear sprocket in the 530 size. My dealer has been really good about dealing with my mistakes. Off with the 15 and 42 then. Thanks again.

[bigbabee]

The chain in the following link is 106 links. I thought a 15-42 530 conversion required a 114-116 link chain. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/530-Conversio...item4aa2ca8e5b

[sschering]

I used a 116 and I'm almost all out of adjustment.. I should have used a 114

Heres a chain length calc

http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/chainlength.html

the old 630 chain pitch length is .75" (6/8ths)
the 530 is .625 (5/8ths)

[verde]

I went with an 18 on the front for the chain wear issue already mentioned when I did the 530 conversion on both my 750s

That ebay seller that has been posted a few times, jawzys, is where I purchased two 530 conversions. They were good about fixing their mistake when they sent too short a chain(I guess they'd never had people order the 18/50 size sprockets?), but the extra down time sucked.

Edit: Hmm, I can't remember for sure, but I think the listing for 18/50 combo for a 750 also said 106 link chain when I bought from them. It was 2 links too short. If that's the case they never updated the listing and if you're gonna buy from them email first to check the length.

[TheCafeKid]

thanks for all the info guys! Looks like I'll be doing a 16 48T. It's more important to me to get a boost in the lower range. I think cafekid mentioned going a 17 so that you can go up or down on the back without changing your chain. I might do that actually.

You can. Also I tried fitting a 16 530 front on a gs750 with an 1100E swinger and it was too small and the chain wouldn't clear the pivot cleanly. I would assume you'd probably have the same issue with the 1100E but can not say for sure as I've always used either a 17 or 18 tooth on the front. Also, with the 18t that Z1 used to sell (I say used to because I do believe Jeff switched vendors for these) there was an issue with the sprocket being an odd width. The spacer they included was too wide and didn't leave enough thread to tighten with the fold over washer, and with a 4mm spacer there was obvious slop in the sprocket on the spline. The 17t fit perfectly, nice and tight etc. I'd guess a 5mm spacer would have probably done the trick but I didn't have anything of that size. I just went ahead and put the 17t on instead.
Like I said however I think I remember Jeff saying he switched vendors on those. At the time the 18t was a different brand than the other sprockets z1 carried.

[snicrep5]

What is the importance of the 6mm spacer? The z1 website says it goes on the outside of the sprocket, not between the sprocket and the case. I know it makes up for the rubber dampeners on the stock sprockets.

[SVSooke]

What is the importance of the 6mm spacer? The z1 website says it goes on the outside of the sprocket, not between the sprocket and the case. I know it makes up for the rubber dampeners on the stock sprockets.

Can't tighten the countershaft nut down without it.

Got all my drive stuff locally.Only shipping I paid for was the 17t front with spacer built in I got from Katman.Went to the only bike shop in Sooke and got good stuff for not much more than getting it from the US would have been.Pretty cool in my books.

No it's not gold like on the cover,I can live with that