530 conversion

[Billy Ricks]

My 700 came with 530 and I went down to 520. All measurements are the same except width. So you have even less friction and less weight. The chain has nearly identical strength as 530. I got a Regina gold o-ring which has stretched less than any chain I've ever used. I used Katana 600 based aftermarket front sprocket and GSXR based rear. I'm running 16/42 ratio with a 4.5" GSXR wheel.

[johnrregan]

front sprocket spacers

i put zzr kawasaki wheels on my katana 1100, and fitted a 180 section tyre on the back (the stock swingarm is in fact capable of handling such a wide tyre, indeed its probably got the clearance to go a little wider. for the front, i reconned i needed 9mm of offset, and was going to convert to 530 chain too. it so happens that the old 630 sprocket is 9mm wide, and it obviously also has the splimes in it to fit to the output shaft. so i plasma cut the centre from an old sprocket and cleane up the edges, then fit the new sprocket followed by the spacer, and finally the nut, and tighteened it up, before you say its the wrong way round, i welded the spacer to the sprocket, then took it off and flipped it over. this gives me my 9mm of offset, with the added bonus of the new sprocket now having twice the contact area with the splines of the output shaft, ive never had a problem with it since. i run 17/38 gearing on the street, which gives relaxed motorway cruising and a bonus of almost 50mpg,(1170cc kat with gixxer carbs and porting!) and on the strip run 15/38 ( i made another sprocket up just for this) and it runs 11.19 quarter miles @123mph, bearing in mind that i weigh nearly 19 stone, i dont think this is at all bad!

[Katamaniac]

Re: front sprocket spacers

i put zzr kawasaki wheels on my katana 1100, and fitted a 180 section tyre on the back (the stock swingarm is in fact capable of handling such a wide tyre, indeed its probably got the clearance to go a little wider. for the front,

Are you sure you have the stock swing arm on your Katana. I have a 150 rear tire, but when I got the bike, there was a 160 and if the axle was all the way forward in the swing arm, the tire would rub both sides of the swing arm. That was the reason i went to a 150. Plus, if I rode with the wife pillion, the left side of the tire would rub the inner plastic fender. I have plenty of clearance now.

[johnrregan]

kat swingarm

yes, the swingarm is stock, it is the one that has been in the bike the 7 years ive had it, and is identical to the swingarms in both my other katanas. wheels are zzr600 and have a metz rennisport tyre on the back, 180/60 17 if my memmory serves me correctly, (about the 60 section that is, its deffinately a 180 and 17") dont know why your swingarm would be any different, unless yours is a 750 swingarm which i think are similar in looks but slightly smaller

[katman]

Re: front sprocket spacers

i put zzr kawasaki wheels on my katana 1100, and fitted a 180 section tyre on the back (the stock swingarm is in fact capable of handling such a wide tyre, indeed its probably got the clearance to go a little wider. for the front,

Are you sure you have the stock swing arm on your Katana. I have a 150 rear tire, but when I got the bike, there was a 160 and if the axle was all the way forward in the swing arm, the tire would rub both sides of the swing arm. That was the reason i went to a 150. Plus, if I rode with the wife pillion, the left side of the tire would rub the inner plastic fender. I have plenty of clearance now.

All you have to do is flatten the ends of the rails abit to clear the 180 tire. or better put a couple links in your chain and get the wheel back where it belongs. there is lots of room for the 180 in a stock 1100 swing.. it just flexes more.