I might be a genius or an idiot - you tell me...

[philosopheriam]

Folks,

A couple months ago, I bought a chain/sprockets to do a 530 conversion on my GS.

I had a brain fart and forgot that the pitch from a 630 to a 530 chain is different - I ordered the original 630 teeth counts for my 530 sprockets, 15 and 42, respectively.

When the conversion is done, I should have ordered a 18T front and a 50T rear. Now, considering that I purchased a 15 and 42, the final drive ratio is essentially the same as the 18 and 50. However, my question is, are the 15/42 530 sprockets too small, and thus going to cause accelerated chain wear and chain slapping issues?

Or, did I unintentionally commit an act of genius and thus reduced the amount of rotating mass on my drivetrain by ordering smaller sprockets with the same final drive ratio?

[JEEPRUSTY]

my final drive is 47 14 and it shows no issues of accelerated wear
had on hcain last 20k of hard use and little oil

[philosopheriam]

my final drive is 47 14 and it shows no issues of accelerated wear
had on hcain last 20k of hard use and little oil

I'm just concerned about the overall diameter of the rear sprocket - is it too small and thus going to cause the chain to slap the swingarm, etc...

[lemonshindig]

The diameter has nothing to do with chain tension. In fact, a smaller diameter with comparable tension will give you more clearance, not less.

[mmattockx]

However, my question is, are the 15/42 530 sprockets too small, and thus going to cause accelerated chain wear and chain slapping issues?

The 530 chain will wear the same as the 630 did because your sprockets are the same tooth count as the 630. I can't say on the swingarm issues but I have seen it mentioned by others here as a potential problem.


Mark

[Nessism]

Chain and sprocket wear will be greater because the front sprocket is smaller (diameter) than ideal. The chain also may drag on the swingarm in some situations.

[philosopheriam]

If the outside diameter of the sprocket DECREASES, wouldn't the chain be moved CLOSER to the swingarm?

[lemonshindig]

If the outside diameter of the sprocket DECREASES, wouldn't the chain be moved CLOSER to the swingarm?

Yes, but I'm dumb and forgot that the chain wraps around the swing arm.

[philosopheriam]

Update:

The folks at Z1 are being fantastic and allowing me to return the unused sprockets to them for a refund - in turn, I purchased the correct sizes, 18T and 50T, respectively.

[mikerophone]

Update:

The folks at Z1 are being fantastic and allowing me to return the unused sprockets to them for a refund - in turn, I purchased the correct sizes, 18T and 50T, respectively.

+1 for Z1! Placed an order there yesterday. Great services and prices.

[mmattockx]

Update:

The folks at Z1 are being fantastic and allowing me to return the unused sprockets to them for a refund - in turn, I purchased the correct sizes, 18T and 50T, respectively.

Excellent news, that is great customer service. Do you have the correct length of chain for the bigger sprockets?


Mark

[philosopheriam]

Excellent news, that is great customer service. Do you have the correct length of chain for the bigger sprockets?


Mark

Yep - thankfully that's the one thing I didn't mess up :-)