VERY HANDY 530 conversion info

[Joe Nardy]

This is from the Z1 Enterprises website. Between this and the JT Sprockets website it is pretty easy to figure out what will and will not work as far as sprockets.


Converting from 630 to 530 chain How to determine the correct sprockets and chain when converting

Why change to 530 chain?

Two main reason:
Cost savings - the 530 chain tends to work out about $10-$15 cheaper.
Weight saving - more than just the curb weight change - this is reciprocating weight - and this tied directly with HP to the rear wheel.
In converting, it is fairly easy to calc the 530 sprocket sizes (see below) - but then you need to match against the availability of sprockets. If you want custom sprockets, Sprocket Specialists can make just about any size rear sprocket in aluminum - the caution here is cost and wait - depending on the time of year, you can wait 3-4 weeks for a custom sprocket, and may pay $10-$15 or more over the cost of a steel sprocket.
630 chain is 3/4" pitch (or think of it as 6/8"), 530 chain is 5/8" pitch - so the simple conversion in teeth is divide the 630 sprocket teeth count by 5 and multiply by 6.
630 15 tooth front becomes a 530 18 tooth sprocket.
630 35 tooth rear becomes a 530 42 tooth sprocket.
92 link rear chain becomes 110.4 links (rounded to 110).
The sprockets are the same diameter as before, just with more (but smaller) teeth.
Often you end up with fractions of teeth - these you have to round up or down - the key here is to calculate a ratio close to the ratio you require...
Click to read more on calculating sprocket sizes
To be able to easily convert from 630 to 530, you have to find sprockets with the same mount attributes.
For the rear sprockets, this means having the same center size and bolt spacing. The following two sprockets have the same 80mm hole spacing, bolt centers 104mm apart and bolt holes 10.5mm in diameter.



Continued on next post.......too many images!

[Joe Nardy]

Continued from previous post:

For the front sprockets, the center spline size and teeth count must match to be able to swap the sprockets - the Z=13 shows the spline count and the 25mm & 21.6mm show the diameter and depth of the teeth.

Sprocket spacing is important too - on the two front sprockets above, you will see the 630 version has a slight boss (raised area) to the inside - to be able to switch to the 530 equivalent sprocket, spacers must be added to give enough clearance between the chain and the engine cases. We sell spacers from both sprocket specialists and JT Sprockets - the JT sprockets spacer is 6mm, the Sprocket Specialists version is 1.5mm.

JT Sprockets has an excellent reference - click on their link below. This shows the attributes for each sprocket - and from this you can look at other bikes sprockets and be comfortable the sprocket will fit..

More Reading:
Chain type and size
Changing sprocket sizes
JT Sprockets - this will open in a new window - click on Catalog to view sprockets

[GSstiny]

Awesome post. I copied and pasted the whole thing so Ill have it as a reference when I do this swap.

Thanks joe \\/

[Boondocks]

Joe, I have seen that information posted on the ZI website, and I would make these observations:

Cost savings - the 530 chain tends to work out about $10-$15 cheaper.

I can buy a new 96 link 630 RK O ring chain with 11,100 lbs. tensile strength and a 20,000 mile guarantee for about $85. I picked up new Sunstar 42T rear and 15T Parts Unlimited front steel sprockets on eBay for $28 (both) including shipping.

Weight saving - more than just the curb weight change - this is reciprocating weight - and this tied directly with HP to the rear wheel.

The weight saving is minimal since the chains are the same width and length. The 530 has more links and weighs slightly less because it is of less robust construction. It is not reciprocating weight, this is just plain wrong. Reciprocating weight is the effect when the mass of an object such as a piston or valve has to accelerate, come to a full stop, and accelerate in the opposite direction. Under these circumstances, keeping weight to a minimum is important, much more so than the rotating weight of a chain. Although the motion of a chain has other vectors and it is not a simple rotating weight, it fits this model for practical purposes.

Aluminum sprockets do reduce rotating weight a little bit, but unless you are racing and weight is critical it wouldn't make sense to use for a street bike. Aluminum sprockets will wear out much faster than a steel one, and I wouldn't use one on a GS.

[Hoomgar]

Good stuff, thanks Joe. Maybe make this sticky?

[HiSPL]

OK,

Joe asked me what I used for my 530 swap, so I thought that I would post that info here to help everyone. Especially if this is made a sticky!


I used JT sprockets front and rear ordered`from www.denniskirk.com.

I used a 17 tooth front sprocket, part number 80-983-17
And a 50 tooth rear sprocket, part number 81-088-50S

These are Dennis Kirk's part numbers!

I chose a 3/1 ratio for my 1100. This is approximately the same as going two teeth up on the rear. If you want a stock gearing order part number 81-088-48S for the rear sprocket.

For the front sprocket you'll need a 6mm spacer that can be provided by Dennis Kirk when you order. The easiest way is to call them and make your order over the phone. They will know what you need when you tell them your doing a 630 to 530 conversion.

If you feel like fishing around for a better deal or fancier sprockets, then you can order anything that fits these bandits;


# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 1997
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 1998
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 1999
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2000
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2001
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2002
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2003
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2004
# Suzuki - GSF1200S Bandit 2005


Both the front and rear sprockets fit these Bandits AND the GS1100's 1150's and 16 valve 750's. That's as far as my knowledge goes pertaining to the GS fitment.

Don't forget that you will need a 6mm spacer for the front sprocket so it'll line up right!

I hope this helps!
-=Tim=-

[Joe Nardy]

I ordered from Z1 Enterprises. I've used them before; their prices are good, their customer service OUTSTANDING. I ordered this afternoon and put a note on the order to verify the stuff I ordered would fit my bike. I got a personal reply from Steve Saunders just hours later telling me that everything looked good and that the order has already shipped and should arrive in a couple days. It's pretty hard to beat that!

Thanks,
Joe

[Joe Nardy]

Good stuff, thanks Joe. Maybe make this sticky?

Hoom,

I thought that might be a good idea but didn't want to promote my own post. Maybe if someone else suggested it............?

Thanks,
Joe

[renobruce]

Thanks, that makes it easy to figure out! What type chain are you going to use? Seems to be a lot of choices. Cost?

[Joe Nardy]

Thanks, that makes it easy to figure out! What type chain are you going to use? Seems to be a lot of choices. Cost?

Bruce,

I got:

1 - RK X-ring chain, 120 links (better too many than too few), cost $96.84.
1 - JT steel front sprocket, 17 teeth, cost $13.99.
1 - JT steel rear sprocket, 50 teeth, cost $33.27.
1 - 6 mm spacer for the front sprocket, cost $3.23.
3 - RK clip-type master links, cost $4.05 each.

Shipping was $18.75 for a grand total of $178.23.

Thanks,
Joe

[Can_O_Tuna]

Here is a link to an Excel spread sheet that gives you a way to see how a gear change will effect your final rpm and mph…..I really did not get a chance to play around with it but it looked pretty cool. Has info for 550, 650, 750, 1000 and 1100.

Be forewarned the following link is a direct download of the Excel file.


Thanks Joe :-D this is timely for me cuz I am going to do a conversion in the next month or so. The prices you got are the best I have seen for that package...

BTW was your stock 630 setup 15/42 ???

Value

http://www.katanacentral.co.uk/siteinfo/revs-to-mph.xls

[Boondocks]

When the basic data is input the Sprocket Optimizer calculates chain links required and maximum speeds in all gears due to chain, sprocket and tire changes. It works for all bikes.

[Joe Nardy]

Thanks Joe :-D this is timely for me cuz I am going to do a conversion in the next month or so. The prices you got are the best I have seen for that package...

BTW was your stock 630 setup 15/42 ???

Yes, my stock setup was 15/42.

Again, I highly recommend Z1 Enterprises both for price and service.

Thanks,
Joe

[Hoomgar]

Hoom,

I thought that might be a good idea but didn't want to promote my own post. Maybe if someone else suggested it............?

Thanks,
Joe

Understood. Done.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Very good info Joe! Sticky! Yes! Now you'll be famous!