Chain / Sprocket Q's

[minime]

Hey all, I am about to order a new sprocket setup for my 77 550 and I had a few concerns before I do.

First, I have installed wheels from an 82 GS450. I will be using the sprocket/chain setup from that bike. I have a 16 in the front and a 45 in the rear.

The 530 chain that I have is too small when the adjustments are bottomed out. I was hoping to solve this issue by adding a smaller sprocket (41) in the rear thus giving me a couple more inches to play with.

So I guess my question is: when running a 16/41 from a 16/45 how many links would I expect to drop? I havent found anything in my searches, and I need to know if I will have to spring for a new chain or not.

TIA!

-V

[minime]

Update:

I found that the Orig 550 chain is a 110 link 530 with stock sprocket sizes of 15/50

The 450 is a 104 link 530 with sprocket sizes of 16/45

So this would tell me that going down 1 and 5 would drop 6 links (Considering that I am assuming swing arm length, motor placement and frame are the same measurements)

[Nessism]

Install the sprockets you are going to use, lay the chain over the sprockets, stretch tight, and then judge the actual length of chain you need. Cut as many links out as necessary.

[minime]

Well, The kicker is.... I don't have the 41 yet. So... I cant reliably guess what I will need.

I did find however that Going up four teeth will require a chain 2 links longer so that would proove reverse for dropping 4 teeth.

So todays mission before I go camping is to find out how long of a chain I will needwith the current setup, and then drop 2 links from that and I should be spot on.

Good thing I have an old nasty chain to try it on.

[SPARKSS]

Hey all, I am about to order a new sprocket setup for my 77 550 and I had a few concerns before I do.

First, I have installed wheels from an 82 GS450. I will be using the sprocket/chain setup from that bike. I have a 16 in the front and a 45 in the rear.

The 530 chain that I have is too small when the adjustments are bottomed out. I was hoping to solve this issue by adding a smaller sprocket (41) in the rear thus giving me a couple more inches to play with.

So I guess my question is: when running a 16/41 from a 16/45 how many links would I expect to drop? I havent found anything in my searches, and I need to know if I will have to spring for a new chain or not.

TIA!

-V

Are you also changing to a smaller diameter rear wheel/tire in the process?
If you're not, I wouldn't recommend proceeding with just making the chain hook up. Reason is that the final drive change from 3.33:1 to 2.56:1 will make the bike a dog at slower speeds and especially crawling along in parking lots etc. It will also, of course, cause you to be in lower gears at higher speeds (you likely have a 6 speed trans so this isn't as much of a prob). (unless you've gone to a small O.D. tire) My .02 worth