530 conversion

[Anonymous]

Just a little post to ward off the Purge Spirit.

Michael

[KGB]

Just an update on my conversion to my S model, no problems after about 1K miles.
I've adjusted the chain once,lubed it numerous times.

No rubbing anywhere that I can see.

The E model will be done next, when I have some extra $$$.
Maybe over the winter.....

I'm having too much fun riding them both. About 1K miles on the S and
about 750 on the E.

Not to hijack this, but I did get the E back after replacing front and rear suspension with new Progressive, both ends.
Amazing what a difference.

[robinjo]

Nice! lots of info about a straight 530 conversion here!
But what if I want to do a 530 conversion and also put the chain 3/8th more to the outside for example? Are there any standard countersaft sprockets that I can use in that case Can I just fill out the rear sprocket and use longer bolts?

[KGB]

Robin,
I used plain old steel washers from a general hardware store.
I'm sure that a competent machinist would be able to fabricate a bushing
and align the chain/sprockets.

Same as installing a larger rim/tire. Some components may need to be adjusted, such as the brake stay arm.

I also have a GS1100 swingarm on the S and of course on the E model.

[robinjo]

Robin,
I used plain old steel washers from a general hardware store.
I'm sure that a competent machinist would be able to fabricate a bushing
and align the chain/sprockets.

Same as installing a larger rim/tire. Some components may need to be adjusted, such as the brake stay arm.

Keith the problem is that you can't put it more to the outside because you then can't fasten it anymore so what I mean is that I need a countershaft sprocket with sort of a dish shape to it or offset, and who makes those things?

[KGB]

Robin,
I don't know of anyone making a sprocket with an offset.
Any dirt bikes use them?

I have no idea.......

[gsbill]

There are lots of offset sprockets to choose from....All the race shops carry them...3/8 out to 3 inches...

http://www.pmfronline.com/counter_shaft_sprockets.htm

[Jethro]

Old post revival!

So what have the guys with 530 chain conversions gone with for ratios?

[Katamaniac]

I'm doing mine this weekend. I going back to the stock ratio of 15/42. The bike has 14/42 on it now. I know I will loose a little power, but I will also gain a smidge with the 530 conversion. I should see a little better fuel mileage also. I will post when I get it done to let you know the differance.

[fastpakr]

I'm running 17/43 (stock 15/41). Only complaint is that it's a bit luggish off the line, but as soon as you get it moving smoothly it's no different than stock, other than a bit lower RPM at highway speed and a smoother, lighter chain motion.

[hp1000s]

Would someone explain in fairly specific terms, the benefits of the 530 chain/sproket conversion....I'll be ready for new stuff sometime next season. Thanks for indulging me!
Hugh

[robinjo]

Would someone explain in fairly specific terms, the benefits of the 530 chain/sprocket conversion....I'll be ready for new stuff sometime next season. Thanks for indulging me!
Hugh

Less HP loss because off less moving mass, better availabilty, more room for a fat rear tire.

[hp1000s]

Cool, good info! Looks like the way to go. Thanks...Hugh

[jeff.saunders]

Would someone explain in fairly specific terms, the benefits of the 530 chain/sproket conversion....I'll be ready for new stuff sometime next season. Thanks for indulging me!
Hugh

One of the big reasons is cost savings - the 530 chain tends to work out about $10-$15 cheaper.

The weight saving is more than just the curb weight change - this is reciprocating weight - and this tied directly with HP at 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.

A 630 15 tooth front becomes a 530 18 tooth
A 630 35 tooth rear becomes a 530 42 tooth
a 92 link rear chain becomes 110.4 links (rounded to 110)

This gives sprockets of the same diameter as before, just with more (but smaller) teeth.

Often you end up with fractions of teeth, so you have to round up or down - the key here is to calc the ratio to know it's close to what you need.

Ratio - if you divide the rear tooth count by the front you get the ratio
35 / 15 = 2.33:1

Then if you want to change your ratio, you can calc the impact if you know the mph at a certain rpm. For example if your bike cruises at 60 mph / 4,000 rpm and has a ratio of 2.33:1 - and you want more acceleration, putting a larger rear will give more accelaration - but what is the impact?

Putting a 37 tooth sprocket on the back and leaving 15 on the front changes the ratio to 2.47:1

Divide your RPM by 2.33 and multipy by 2.47 = so 4,000 rpm becomes 4,240 rpm at 60 mph.

Changing sprocket diameter can be a problem - sprocket clearance on the front limits how big you can go, and as mentioned before, you want to avoid going too small as the tight bend wears the chain quicker. You can also run into problems with the chain slapping the swingarm by going too small on front and/or rear.

Sprocket spacing is important - we buy (and sell) spacers from both sprocket specialists and JT Sprockets - the JT sprockets spacer is 6mm, the Sprocket specialists ones are just about 1mm each.

JT Sprockets has an excellent reference - click on their catalog

http://www.jtsprockets.com/

This shows the attributes for each sprocket - and from this you can look at other bikes sprockets and be comfortable the sprocket will fit.

[hp1000s]

Yeah, now that's what I call specific. I'm printing all that out to go in my binder. Thanks, Hugh