630 to 520 chain conversion

[Paul F]

I have a 1982 GS1100E. I am having difficulty finding a front sprocket. It has spacers on each side of the sprocket.

Does anyone know what those are for? Where can I get a 520 sprocket that has the same width and do I need the rubber spacers?

thanks, Paul F. Pine Grove CA

[earlfor]

All of the factory 1100 sprockets had spacers on the sprockets. None (that I know of) aftermarket sprockets have those spacers. You will need a spacer on the countershaft so the nut will seat properly. Dennis Kirk carries a lot of 520 sprockets. The numerical designations for sprockets are in 1/8" increments. i.e. a #530 sprocket has a pitch of 5/8ths and a thickness of 3 eighths. A #520 would be 2/8" thick. If it was 3/8" it would be a 530. :-)
So no, there are no 1/4" thick sprockets that are 3/8" thick. LMAO eheheheh

Earl

I have a 1982 GS1100E. I am having difficulty finding a front sprocket. It has spacers on each side of the sprocket.

Does anyone know what those are for? Where can I get a 520 sprocket that has the same width and do I need the rubber spacers?

thanks, Paul F. Pine Grove CA

[Boondocks]

I have a 1982 GS1100E. I am having difficulty finding a front sprocket. It has spacers on each side of the sprocket.

Does anyone know what those are for? Where can I get a 520 sprocket that has the same width and do I need the rubber spacers?

thanks, Paul F. Pine Grove CA

I think that you mean a 630 to 530 chain conversion. A 530 is 50% wider than a 520 and is the usual conversion. A 520 is not usually used on an engine as strong as the GS1100.

In addition to seating the nut properly, spacers are used to align the front with the rear sprocket so that the chain tracks properly. If you read the thread at 530 Conversion, it should answer your questions. Look for the reply by jeff.saunders of Z1 Enterprises on page 5. If you can't find spacers locally, they sell both the 6mm and 1.25mm sizes.

[Billy Ricks]

If you get good quality sprockets and chain there is very little difference in strength between 530 and 520. I went from 530 to 520 on my bike with Vortex sprockets and Regina chain and it has been the best wearing combo I've found yet. The only spec that is different between 530 and 520 is width. Every other dimension is the same. If you're going from 630 to 530 then you may as well take the extra step and go to 520, just use quality. When you get sprockets go with the biggest drive sprocket you can fit under the cover. If you can use at least a 16 or 17 both the chain and sprocket will wear better. Early '90s Katana fronts work well since they have some offset built into them. You'll need to figure out what rear to use with the bigger front to keep the ratio where you want it.

[Boondocks]

If you get good quality sprockets and chain there is very little difference in strength between 530 and 520. I went from 530 to 520 on my bike with Vortex sprockets and Regina chain and it has been the best wearing combo I've found yet. The only spec that is different between 530 and 520 is width. Every other dimension is the same. If you're going from 630 to 530 then you may as well take the extra step and go to 520, just use quality. When you get sprockets go with the biggest drive sprocket you can fit under the cover. If you can use at least a 16 or 17 both the chain and sprocket will wear better. Early '90s Katana fronts work well since they have some offset built into them. You'll need to figure out what rear to use with the bigger front to keep the ratio where you want it.

It is interesting to note that you are riding a 700, not an 1100. While the 520 might work great for you, I would still feel more comfortable with a 530 chain on an 1100. Some interesting specs:

RK Chain - Their strongest 520 GXW chain is rated for up to 1000 cc with a tensile strength of 3800 Kgf. Their 530 GXW chain is rated for up to 1400 cc with a tensile strength of 4500 Kgf.

EK Chain - Their strongest 520ZVX chain is rated for up to 1000 cc and 100 HP max with a tensile strength of 9000 lbs. Their 630ZVX chain is rated for over 1100 cc and 180 HP max with a tensile strength of 10,560 lbs.

[Billy Ricks]

It is interesting to note that you are riding a 700, not an 1100. While the 520 might work great for you, I would still feel more comfortable with a 530 chain on an 1100. Some interesting specs:

RK Chain - Their strongest 520 GXW chain is rated for up to 1000 cc with a tensile strength of 3800 Kgf. Their 530 GXW chain is rated for up to 1400 cc with a tensile strength of 4500 Kgf.

EK Chain - Their strongest 520ZVX chain is rated for up to 1000 cc and 100 HP max with a tensile strength of 9000 lbs. Their 630ZVX chain is rated for over 1100 cc and 180 HP max with a tensile strength of 10,560 lbs.

A 700 that is putting out substantially more power than stock and I'm getting better wear than I ever did using Tsubaki or RK in 530 size with good quality sprockets. This is with a sticky 160 width radial on the rear too so I get hooked up quicker than with stock wheels. There aren't too many 1100's here putting out more than 100hp at the wheel anyway.

[Paul F]

Billy,

I am going with Diamond 520 oring chain. Average Tensile is 9300 lbs. This is better than most 530 chain out there. I am going with 18T on front and
50T on rear. They are made by Sprocket specialists. I think they are good quality? (The reason I am using Diamond chain is because I work for Diamond and it is free).

thanks for the good feedback.

paul

[beby99]

(The reason I am using Diamond chain is because I work for Diamond and it is free).

WooHoo...free chains for GSR members \\/

[focus frenzy]

the early 90's Katana's use a very odd 532 chain, the differance being larger diameter rollers.
Ron (aka Busafied) has a 530 chain on his 89 1100 Kat with stock sprockets and the 530 chain works.

(why do I feel so dirty talking about chains??)