Need chain expertise.

[groundshock]

Posted a while back about the bike not being as easy to push around as I thought it should.

Aslo have been chasing this stupid clicking sound that increases with speed.

Turns out I've got at least one frozen link on the chain, dont ask me how as I maintain the hell out of this bike, must've froze up over winter while it was hanging on the wall while i worked on the bike.

SO.

My options are to buy a new 630 chain and sprockets and keep it stock, or go 530 at the same time I replace everything anyway.

Opinions?

[lurch12_2000]

I haven't had my chain driven E that long, but I just take 10 minutes and use an old toothbrush(benefit of having 6 kids- plenty of old toothbrushes) dipped in motor oil and brush the surface facing the sprocket every 600 miles and then plan on soaking it in kerosene to clean periodically just like the manual says to do(they don't mention the toothbrush though!).
I wouldn't be too concerned, unless you're popping a lot of wheelies and you park your bike outdoors.
Is that why you need the spare chain?...and sprocket on hand?

[chef1366]

How old is the chain and is it an o-ring type?

[salty_monk]

Mine was super stiff.. O ring chain. Took it off & drenched it on WD40 & went round & manually spun each centre roller. Some were pretty stuck but it did the trick.

When I replace mine I will go 530 with new sprockets etc. You might as well for the cost. Not much more than just a 630 chain & it will last longer with all new gear.

Dan

[groundshock]

How old is the chain and is it an o-ring type?

Honestly man, it's probably original stuff.

[Suzuki_Don]

What is the advantage of a 530 chain over a 630. I need to alter the gearing on my GS, who sells the sprockets. Not Suzuki I'd guess.

[lurch12_2000]

What is the advantage of a 530 chain over a 630. I need to alter the gearing on my GS, who sells the sprockets. Not Suzuki I'd guess.

My understanding is that the 530 is used on newer bikes and is 2lbs lighter but with the same tensile strength....less weight means a little more hp at the wheel and faster 1/4 mile times?
The 630 may still be more rugged in the long run.
Is it worth the cost to change over on the older bikes?

[JayH]

Don't get a little girlie 530 chain get a beefy 630 chain :-)

If the sprockets are worn you might want to see how much the 530 conversion would be vs. the 630 chain w/ new sprockets.

[JHawkins]

I put a 530 on the 750, it was cheaper than the 630 if I remember correctly.

AND! if for no other reason, get the 530 because it is easier to track down a 530 master link if you lose one while on the road. Most everywhere they stock 530, pretty rare to find a 630 master laying around in a shop!

[Billy Ricks]

Today's 530 is probably stronger than the old 630. It just depends on what you want to spend. My bike originally came with 530 and I've gone to 520. I'm using Vortex sprockets with Regina chain and it's wearing better than any 530 combination I used previously. I always bought Tsubaki or RK in the past along with new sprockets and even they didn't wear as well as my new combo. This is with engine mods I didn't have with the old stuff. RS flatslides ported head, Yosh Duplex exhaust, and about 40 lbs lighter makes the bike pull way harder than it did.

[lurch12_2000]

I put a 530 on the 750, it was cheaper than the 630 if I remember correctly.

AND! if for no other reason, get the 530 because it is easier to track down a 530 master link if you lose one while on the road. Most everywhere they stock 530, pretty rare to find a 630 master laying around in a shop!

Hopefully that's all you lose when your master link let's go!

This thread reminds me how much I can argue with myself, owning the '83 1100 G and ES models....
"You chain guys are always fretting about this and that while I drive mile after mile without worry with the shaftie!"
"Oh yeah, you old farts on shafties are a half second slower in the quarter mile!"
...and on and on.
I guess I'll tell myself to just shut up!:-)

[JHawkins]

Hopefully that's all you lose when your master link let's go!

This thread reminds me how much I can argue with myself, owning the '83 1100 G and ES models....
"You chain guys are always fretting about this and that while I drive mile after mile without worry with the shaftie!"
"Oh yeah, you old farts on shafties are a half second slower in the quarter mile!"
...and on and on.
I guess I'll tell myself to just shut up!:-)

I have been very lucky! I have looked at my chain for no apparent reason twice, and both times I notice a missing master link clip! Fluke has save me twice!

[salty_monk]

I read about people putting a pot of silicon on it to stop that happening... Guess in the centre away from the pins.

www.z1enterprises.com do the conversion & are probably well priced too.

Dan

[chuckycheese]

630

I probably have kind of an old-fashioned idea about the whole thing. I have 630 chains on both bikes and they work great. They are really, really strong and, if taken care of, will last for many, many years. That being the case, price isn't even a factor because they only cost a few bucks a year.

If I could gain a couple of horsepower units by switching to 530, I wouldn't do it. If that was important, I wouldn't change chains..... I'd change motorcycles. What would I do with the extra power anyway? Jump over 22 Greyhound buses or something?