Chain and sprokets '79 gs1000e

[garyS-NJ]

It's time and I see some new chain manufacturers looking fir recommendation on mfrs and source.. DID, TSUBAKI, RK, EK vortex, niche? X ring or o-ring? 650 or 530 convert I'd like to stay 630 but im not seeing much in 630 and i dont want to be a dinosaur. Sunstar, JT or a vortex kit? Amazon, Z1, revzilla, ebay, cycle gear, dime city?

I vouldnt find a search function here as if the website changed so I'm sorry if i look lazy.. Anyway what are the cool kids doing these days? I read only good about the niche chains and gold will be the only shiney thing on my bike if it don't rust in 3 seconds..and before you get into the "most expensive *@%^$*@%^$*@%^$*@%^$ on earth", I'm putting tires on 4 bikes and maintaining more and need to bring at least two to sale, and then there's beer..

[Nessism]

Stock is 15T front & 42T rear

Ratio is 42/15 = 2.8

The stock chain is 96 links long

530 is the way to go. It's lighter, cheaper, more readily available, and more mechanically efficient.

15T + 3T = 18T front sprocket (530).

18T x 2.8 = 50.4. Use a 50T rear sprocket (530)

96 link chain (630) x .75" (between links) = 72" long chain

72" / 5/8" (between links for 530) = 115.2 (use 116 link chain in 530)

[Big Block]

I agree: 530, I just bought a 750 and the owner supplied a new 630, Ordering new sprockets is harder than it used to be so that's reason enough to change it over right there. I don't think there is any downside to switching to a 530.

[garyS-NJ]

Stock is 15T front & 42T rear

Ratio is 42/15 = 2.8

The stock chain is 96 links long

530 is the way to go. It's lighter, cheaper, more readily available, and more mechanically efficient.

15T + 3T = 18T front sprocket (530).

18T x 2.8 = 50.4. Use a 50T rear sprocket (530)

96 link chain (630) x .75" (between links) = 72" long chain

72" / 5/8" (between links for 530) = 115.2 (use 116 link chain in 530)

Thanks for your awesome work here but how did you arrive at the 18T front sproket? And any recommendation on chain manufacturer and or source ?

[garyS-NJ]

I agree: 530, I just bought a 750 and the owner supplied a new 630, Ordering new sprockets is harder than it used to be so that's reason enough to change it over right there. I don't think there is any downside to switching to a 530.

The 630 should be 20% stronger in theory an so require less adjusting and provide longer life

[Nessism]

630 is stronger in tensile strength, but that's not a factor in chain elongation. Chains get longer because of wear inside the roller pins; slop develops between the moving parts, causing elongation. High grade chains use better materials, harder heat treated steel, so they wear slower. They also use better sealing features, in terms of the X rings and how they fit in the plates.

An 18T 530 sprocket is the same diameter as a 15T 630. It's not good to go smaller diameter, and I'm not sure how much clearance there is to go bigger...thus the same size recommendation.

[garyS-NJ]

Thanks again for your help and input.. you may well be right enough that a quality 530 chain and sprockets will last about the same as a comparable 630 set up but I still think the larger pins, rollers and plates on a 630 has more strength because there's more material and more material means more load bearing area which means lower contact psi so longer wear and also wear as a percentage of overall sizing is gonna be lower. That's the life factor. I'm pretty sure the move to smaller chains came with higher strength materials but also sacrificing life for speed.

All that said, if I can't find quality 630 sprokets, then it doesn't matter. I've used JT and Sun sprokets but now I'm seeing Vortex. And I bet there's others .. and what about chains? Who makes and sells what for our bikes in the usa? I'd search chain and sproket threads but can no longer find the search button (oops let me check with my laptop).

Thanks again all!!!

630 is stronger in tensile strength, but that's not a factor in chain elongation. Chains get longer because of wear inside the roller pins; slop develops between the moving parts, causing elongation. High grade chains use better materials, harder heat treated steel, so they wear slower. They also use better sealing features, in terms of the X rings and how they fit in the plates.

An 18T 530 sprocket is the same diameter as a 15T 630. It's not good to go smaller diameter, and I'm not sure how much clearance there is to go bigger...thus the same size recommendation.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Here’s a link to my 530 conversion thread. Chain and sprocket specs contained in the posts. Worked for me.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forum/technical-forums/-4-cylinder-engine-drivetrain-clutch/90411-chain-missing-an-o-ring

this is the RK Chain I got:

https://www.amazon.com/RK-Racing-Chain-530XSOZ1-120-Connecting/dp/B000MQ6BDW/ref=pd_lpo_263_t_2/132-0817516-0681035?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000MQ6BDW&pd_rd_r=333ba5a3-7c33-480e-a78d-cfb308d64977&pd_rd_w=Ifl6M&pd_rd_wg=39hDa&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=G6Z7TKSPVGHGC59E7ASJ&psc=1&refRID=G6Z7TKSPVGHGC59E7ASJ

Sprockets came from Z1 Enterprises: JTF513 18 tooth and a JTR816 49 tooth

[Nessism]

Thanks again for your help and input.. you may well be right enough that a quality 530 chain and sprockets will last about the same as a comparable 630 set up but I still think the larger pins, rollers and plates on a 630 has more strength because there's more material and more material means more load bearing area which means lower contact psi so longer wear and also wear as a percentage of overall sizing is gonna be lower. That's the life factor. I'm pretty sure the move to smaller chains came with higher strength materials but also sacrificing life for speed.

All that said, if I can't find quality 630 sprokets, then it doesn't matter. I've used JT and Sun sprokets but now I'm seeing Vortex. And I bet there's others .. and what about chains? Who makes and sells what for our bikes in the usa? I'd search chain and sproket threads but can no longer find the search button (oops let me check with my laptop).

Thanks again all!!!

630 is obsolete tech. They may be the strongest chain in tensile tests, but that's not indicative of durability, and they are going to wear faster than 530. One reason they wear faster being the links are longer, so there are less rollers to share the load. Also realize, that the 3 in 530 & 630 means 3/8" wide rollers. So both sizes use the same width sprockets and rollers. It's just that the 530 has more of them to spread the load compared to 630, thus they are more durable and less prone to sprocket & roller wear.

Lastly, because 630 is obsolete, the chain manufacturers typically don't make high end 630 chains. Most 630's are the lower tech "O-ring" chains. That right there will put them at a disadvantage.

[Grand Rouge]

My 83 1100E 530 upgrade (Owned since new October 1983)

Order details Ordered on February 28, 2014 (1 item) AMAZON
EK Chain 530 MVX Quadra X-Ring Chain - 120 Links - Gold , Chain Type: 530, Chain Length: 120, Color: Gold, Chain Application: Offroad 530MVXZ/G-120
EK Motor Sport

Nine years. Only 11,000 miles on this set up......Sunstar Sprockets 18 / 48. 114 links. Rivet master. Chain is wiped down from time to time with WD40 on a micro fiber cloth. No chain lubes etc.are used. My GS has not been ridden in rain or off road :-) Chain was installed with slack / deflection in the middle of the recommended specs. The only times the adjusters might have been tweaked was when wheel removed for tire replacement. Total turns on adjusters since chain installation...... LESS than 3/4 turn.

Benefits are many. Lots of choices re sprockets...(I have a friend in Rutherford NJ with a 74,000 mile 82 GS runs same chain and 16 / 40 Sunstar sprockets.....no clearance issues. He rides in all weather there including salted roads in winter) and has adjusted chain a few times.....uses various lubes as environment harsh.).....

Lighter weight....For sure a minimum of .4 pounds shed. Quieter too. Gotta love the gold color.

[Sandy]

I converted to 530 after having a fancy RK xring chain wear out suddenly and prematurely at 20,000 kms while on a trip. Never had that happen before ....ever after many years of running various oring chains on various motorcycles. Managed to limp home because overnighting somewhere and finding a shop in the boonies with 630's in stock was ptobably nil. Anyway, as far strength is concerned all this 160+ hp motorcycles are running 520 and 525 chains.

[garyS-NJ]

Thanks all/ I ordered the DID 530VXGB-116 Gold X-Ring Chain and Sunstar sprockets 18 & 50T from Amazon/. I was between the RK and DID chains and buying the older model DID (they are up to V3 now) saved me $30. I went with the sunstar sprockets because that's what I had and I figured I might not need the extra thrust washer on the countersprocket. I had hoped that there would be a go to source because comparing chains and prices and availability is an easy rabbit hole to fall into so thanks at least for steering me to the 530 size..

[bobtail84]

If anyone wants some extra bling for the 530 conversion there is a Renthal sprocket that fits the GS 1000, cast or spoke rim. The number is 221U-530-48P-HA. The picture below also lists the other Suzuki's that also have the same sprocket PCD.

[salty_monk]

Good 530 chains these days are way stronger than 630 chains were back in the 80's I would think.... Any of the big guys do nice chains. O ring minimum but X and XW last a bit longer. If you can get one of the coated chains they look prettier for longer but not essential.

If you use a clip type... make sure to fit it right direction (head in travel direction of chain) and carry a spare! Rivet type are better in my experience.

[garyS-NJ]

I ended up getting a DID 530Vx3 and Sunstar sprokets.. my old sproket was black and or greasy enough to look black but wondering if I should powdercoat the rear sproket. Stock wheel but I am fitting a gs11 box swinger which btw doesn't fit between the passenger peg frame hoops