comparing 520,530,630 numbers for you

[katman]

I measured up some sprockets and chains for everyone to see the differences in the widths. The chain widths are measured by the pins not the plates
As far as clearence goes you have to divide the numbers in half for either tire or frame as the loss is on both sides.

This is just a general guide. I bought a 530 chain for my "BIG KAT" and it turned out to be larger than my 630. It was a massive 25.85mm wide. It is a high strength chain. 220.00 later I learned a valuable lesson so learn from me for free.

Hope this helps a bit.

[TheCafeKid]

Call me dumb, cos, well, I am, but i dont see how its possible that your 530 chain was WIDER than your 630, even based on your own chart. Please expound, as ive just done a 530 converstion on my cafe project, mainly because they are generally cheaper and more readily available, but also because its less rotational mass for the motor to turn, thereby decreasing the amount the motor has to work at any given RPM (by miniscule amounts likely, but hey, even miniscule is better than nothing)

[katman]

imagine my bewilderment when it arrived. Thats why I have posted this to show people the rumors are not always true or .... there is more to the story.

the higher the tensile strength the thicker the plates the wider the chain..

It is an EK ZVX chain. check it out. The EK site lists the chains specs as pin width 25.40mm. Mine I just measured minutes ago is 25.85 at least in one link.

I was talking to a local dude the other day and he was complaining that his 520 he ordered was wider than his 530 oem chain. so go figure and beware

[hampshirehog]

As I understand it chains are still measured using the old Imperial system in eighths of an inch so either someone's changed the system or the supplier is telling porkys.

[Nessism]

The "3" in 630 and 530 is the roller width in eight inch increments - 3/8" wide. That is why the 630 and 530 sprockets are the same width. 520 uses 2/8" or 1/4" wide rollers.

The 630 chain is wider because the outer plates on the chain are thicker.

[tone]

I mentioned the fact that some 530 chains may be at least as wide as a 630 ages ago & what happened you all discounted the idea

the reason is as follows ..... a normal 630 will have relitively thin side plates where as a heavy duty o ring 530 will have thicker side plates plus room for the o ring which more than makes up for the slight differance in sprocket width.
Its not always the case but it does happen so those of you hoping to get a bit of clearance by fitting a 530 chain measure carefully first

another misconseption is that it is ok to mix 530/ 532 chains / sprockets, now wile the race boys do this to reduce drag a little for their 6 laps of a track its not a good idea for thousands of miles on the road as the rollers are a around 1.1 mm different in size

all this from actually getting off my ass & measuring the things instead of guessing or believing what i read on the net

[katman]

In the case of the zvx EK chain the pitch and roller sizes are all the same with 520, 525 and 530. but the 532 has a little larger roller diameter.

On the other hand the zzz chain is diff between the 520/525 and the 530

Here is a link for

http://www.ekchain.com/images/EKcatalog.pdf

[rotty]

I bought a 520 chain because i thought i needed the clearance.When i put them both together the 520 is wider then the 530.My tensile is 8800 on the new one.I wish i had known about that lol.My new chain is a rk 520.He knows what he talking about beause i have seen it first hand ;(.

[fast_7]

so if you require clearance just go with a non o-ring non heavy duty chain, that'll do it? And hey Katman how many links is the chain on your stretched kat?

[lecroy]

I measured up some sprockets and chains for everyone to see the differences in the widths. The chain widths are measured by the pins not the plates
As far as clearence goes you have to divide the numbers in half for either tire or frame as the loss is on both sides.

This is just a general guide. I bought a 530 chain for my "BIG KAT" and it turned out to be larger than my 630. It was a massive 25.85mm wide. It is a high strength chain. 220.00 later I learned a valuable lesson so learn from me for free.

Hope this helps a bit.

Very good point!!!! I often wonder why compaines like EK does not post the dimensions and weights of the chains.

[katman]

Still getting emails about this.

Lets take a look at the "DID" chains.

Their "630V" chain rivit pins are 25.30mm long which is the widest point of the chain that rubs the frame or tire.

Their "530ZVM2" chain is also 25.30mm wide at the pins.

Their 520 chains range from 16.75mm to 21.3mm wide.

NOw that being said the narrower the chain the weaker ... BUT!... you can safely buy a new chain with a 750 rating.. why? the new 750s have far more power than most of our old 1100's. JUST my oppinion.

I can get 520 conversion rear sprockets which fit our 1100 hubs and I have a dude who makes the 520 offset sprockets too. So I am going to the 520 chain for next season with my 150 some odd hp 1260cc kat. I will post pics when I get the sprocket made. It is costing me 75.00 plus shipping which is not too bad for a custom cut to my specs sprocket.

I hope this answers the remainder of the questions regarding chain and sprocket widths for clearence issues.