Smallest 530 chain front sprocket?

[TxGSrider]

I've got the 530 chain conversion kit on my bike with a 17 tooth front sprocket but I'd like to try a 16 tooth sprocket to get a little better acceleration. I hear if the front sprocket is too small in diameter the chain can rub on the swingarm. So what's the smallest that can be used and will I be ok with the 16?
Thanks!

[Cipher]

different bike but mine has a 14t oem and im sure they make 13s

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/calcsprocketdiam.html

.625 is the pitch of a 530 i think

so a 16 is 3.203644309676883 inches in dia
17 is 3.4013694698448793 inches in dia

[fededevi]

The improved acceleration is mostly a myth and misunderstood physics. I would not change gearing on those old bikes honestly, if anything they need a longer gear ratio for 'street use'.
Just my suggestion.

[Rob S.]

I hear if the front sprocket is too small in diameter the chain can rub on the swingarm. So what's the smallest that can be used?

There's another factor limiting front sprocket size. The chain is not a string - it can't go around an endlessly small sprocket. Or does the front sprocket never get that small?

[salty_monk]

Smaller front sprocket also increases wear... why not go up some teeth on the back? About 3 teeth at the back equals 1 at the front....

[Cipher]

Smaller front sprocket also increases wear... why not go up some teeth on the back? About 3 teeth at the back equals 1 at the front....

its a bit cheaper

[TxGSrider]

its a bit cheaper

It's also easier to install and less chance of my chain becoming too short to adjust for.
I figured for less than $20 it'd be fun to try and see how the old girl responds. It's not like I do many top speed runs anyway (but I did show an indicated 125mph last weekend-lol. But I suspect the speedometers read a little high). However it will only be a cheap experiment if it doesn't chew up my swingarm or something.

[Gorminrider]

Sure. Why not. I'd call it a fail on my smaller gsx400 (44hp claimed) but you've got more hp. For me a 1 tooth change at the front up or down was screaming rpm or noticeable lugging. Even the rear sprocket where a change can be more incremental, and is easier on the chain, would not want more than a tooth or two either way, -"stock is overall the best IMO. Suzuki knows their bikes pretty well.

[Guest]

The improved acceleration is mostly a myth and misunderstood physics.

This is funny, since the acceleration change is exactly proportional to the gearing change. Whether it is perceptible or worthwhile is a different issue altogether, but it certainly isn't a myth.

There's another factor limiting front sprocket size. The chain is not a string - it can't go around an endlessly small sprocket. Or does the front sprocket never get that small?

Every step down in size does increase the chain and sprocket wear. It usually doesn't get to be objectionable until you get down around 13 teeth or so. At that point it starts to make a noticeable difference in chain life. Going from 17 teeth to 16 as OP is asking about should cause no issues in terms of wear.


Mark