1980 GS1100E Chain conversion

[demark]

Right as I was about to put my bike into gear last Friday, which was one of the first great riding days of the year, that little voice inside my head piped up. I put the stand down and did a quick once over to find that my chain was dangerously loose. The wheel was basically as far back as it could go, so I opted to garage the bike and let a riding day pass me by: better safe than sorry.

So, since I have to replace the chain, figured I would do the sprockets and convert it to a 530 in the process.

Since I seem to have ample low-end power, while tending to rev a little high at highway speeds, I'm taking the opportunity to lower the sprocket ratio.

Stock is 630 x 96, 15 teeth front, 42 teeth rear, 2.8 ratio.
I've decided on 530 x 114ish, 17 front, 45 rear, 2.65 ratio.

Here's what I got from DennisKirk:

JTF51317 - JT Sprocket, 17 Tooth front sprocket
JTF518B - Spacer (not on their online site yet, have to call to get it)
JTR81645 - JT Sprocket, 45 Tooth rear sprocket

The one strange thing is that the DK lists the JTR81645 as a "532, 630 sprocket". Every other site lists it as a 530 sprocket. Should I be concerned?

For chain, I was looking at either:

DID 530 ZVM Superbike Series, 530x130 - $156
(They are out of stock of the 120)
Tsubaki 530 Sigma Series, 530x120 - $159

Unless I am missing something, there doesn't seem to be too many options for o-ring chains for 1100cc bikes on their site. I opted for the DID. Are there other recommended chains?

Thanks,
- Tony

 

[Billy Ricks]

Use as large of a front sprocket as possible. It's already going to be smaller because of the smaller link size of the 530. Check some of the Ebay sellers. I got a set of Vortex sprockets and a Regina Gold chain for about $150 from one of the sellers there. This is one of the sellers that offers complete packages for what a chain would cost elsewhere. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GSXR-600-SV-650-Gold-Chain-Sprockets-520-Conversion_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35600QQitemZ4627574037QQrdZ1

 

[crag antler]

For my 1983 GS1100E chain conversion I went with Sunstar Sprockets of 16 teeth on the C/S and 45 on the rear.
I run a EK 530 GXV X-ring chain.114 links
The whole set up cost me around $175.
All you have to do is have some washers to put in between the C/S soricket and the washer/nut.
Really nice swap and would highly recommend doing it.\\/

 

[demark]

For chain, I was looking at either:

DID 530 ZVM Superbike Series, 530x130 - $156
(They are out of stock of the 120)
Tsubaki 530 Sigma Series, 530x120 - $159

I just discovered that the DID has a rivet master link instead of a clip. I really needed the clip because I don't have a way to make the rivet.

Looks like I'll be returning the DID and going with the Tsubaki.

- Tony

 

[beby99]

I just discovered that the DID has a rivet master link instead of a clip. I really needed the clip because I don't have a way to make the rivet.

Looks like I'll be returning the DID and going with the Tsubaki.

- Tony

Or....you could go to your local cycle shop and ask for a 530 master clip link...only cost a few bucks.

 

[crag antler]

I just discovered that the DID has a rivet master link instead of a clip. I really needed the clip because I don't have a way to make the rivet.

Looks like I'll be returning the DID and going with the Tsubaki.

- Tony

I went with rivet for peace of mind.
I too don't own a riveter but my shop where I bought the chain was nice enough to let me borrow theirs.
Never hurts to ask.

 

[Paul F]

Diamond Chain uses a press fit cover plate with a spring clip.
530xlo x 120pitches long. You can cut off what you don't need.

Also it is made in the USA.

 

[JayH]

I can't believe that you would neuter your bike like that. Put a manly 630 chain and sprockets back on. New 630 parts can still be obtained and should be much more that the "girly" 530 chain and sprockets.

Next thing you'll be wanting to get a chain that has sideplates that match your bike's paint scheme.

 

[beby99]

Next thing you'll be wanting to get a chain that has sideplates that match your bike's paint scheme.

Hey...I resemble that remark .

 

[crag antler]

Hey...I resemble that remark .

I do too

Silver bike.....chrome chain\\/

Oh yeah\\/

 

[demark]

I think I might take the record for the longest chain conversion. That is, the longest time to do a chain conversion. I started it a few weeks ago, but had some other things come up.

Finally, this weekend, I was able to free some time up to drop the rear wheel and put the new sprocket on.

With both sprockets in place, I was able to dry-fit the chain to figure out how long it needs to be:

The red dot marks the 9th outer plate from the end of the 130 link chain. That would mean I am 18 links too long, right?

If I understand what needs to happen, I need to grind off the rivet to the left of the red dot, remove the excess links, then use the master link to make the chain complete, right?

Thanks,
- Tony

 

[hungryman]

I think I might take the record for the longest chain conversion. That is, the longest time to do a chain conversion. I started it a few weeks ago, but had some other things come up.

Finally, this weekend, I was able to free some time up to drop the rear wheel and put the new sprocket on.

With both sprockets in place, I was able to dry-fit the chain to figure out how long it needs to be:

The red dot marks the 9th outer plate from the end of the 130 link chain. That would mean I am 18 links too long, right?

If I understand what needs to happen, I need to grind off the rivet to the left of the red dot, remove the excess links, then use the master link to make the chain complete, right?

Thanks,
- Tony

Correctomundo. But grind off both rivets on either side of the red dot. The chain separates easilly then.