GS 550 L 520 - 525 - 530 chain?

[Anonymous]

Hi there:

I need to replace the chain of my bike but don't know if it use a 520, 525 or 530.

I have a 1980 GS 550 L.

[Jethro]

I think they all used 630 back then, but I'm not 100%...

[Anonymous]

It's a 530 unless someone did some conversions on your bike, which is unlikely. Larger bikes used the 630, I believe.

If you have the stock front and rear sprockets, you might consider changing those as well. The stock have a 15 teeth front and a 51 teeth rear, which on my bike meant it had some difficulty maintaining the upper highway speeds. I switched to a 16/48 combination, and am much happier.

--Tyler

[Anonymous]

Thanks, but how will I know if the bike has the stock front and rear sprockets?

I really don't know if the previous owner have made some modification on it.

[Hoomgar]

Do you have a service manual for it? That information will be in there if you do.

[Anonymous]

I don't have it.. that's because I'm asking...

[Anonymous]

You can count the teeth on each sprocket to see if they were changed from the stock of 15 (front) and 51 (rear). If you decide to go to a 16/48 or different combination, you will probably also need a different number of links on the chain you put on (110 for the 15/51 combo vs. 108 for the 16/48 combo, I think). In either case, you would still use the 530 chain.

As for 520 vs. 525 vs. 530: I know quite a few people have done conversions from a 630 chain to a 530 chain, which requires placing spacers and such on the sprockets (I've never done this myself). I assume that it would be similar for going from a 530 to a 520 or 525, but I can't vouch for that. Anyone else know?

Chances are that you need the 530 chain though.

--Tyler

[Anonymous]

The stock chain on the 1980 GS550L is a 530. If you are simply wondering what you have on your bike as is, take two measurements. On a 530 chain, the rivet-rivet or post-post distance is 5/8" (that's the 5 in the 530) and the narrowest inside width (usually the width of a roller, or the gap space between an inside link) is 3/8" (that's the 3 in the 530). I think the reason for the zero is because you need to be able to have a 525, for example, where the inside width would be 2.5/8", or 5/16". So get out Mister Ruler and see what he says. If your bike has, and has been running fine with, a current chain and it measures out as noted, then get yourself a 530 chain replacement.

BTW, I can definitely vouch for OneStaple's suggested change in sprocket ratios. I did the same and not only does she lope pace much better at freeway speeds, the torque in the mid-range RPMs is much better and can give you that extra zip you really want to have from about 4K to 7K.

Best regards...

...Ross