530 Chain Conversion

[Jethro]

My bike with the 530 has a 15t up front and a 42t on the back. If my brain is working today, proportionally the ratios should stay the same. I'm kinda guessing, but I think Joe was right. The chain travel should be the same as your stock setup with the same amount of teeth, 630 or 530.

I think, I think...

 

[Billy Ricks]

One bit of advice. Since the links are shorter on the 530 go with a bigger drive sprocket. Go up about 3 or 4 teeth. A 530 15 tooth is going to be smaller in diameter than a 15 tooth 630. You need the larger diameter to give the chain an easier path around a tight turn. Just work out your ratios to pick the rear sprocket.

 

[Hap Call]

Look at these past discussions...lots of tips on chain length, spacer location, and alignment.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=2071&highlight=530+chain
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=7194&highlight=530+chain
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=11139&highlight=530+chain

Hap

 

[Anonymous]

17/48

Nope. The ratios of teeth always give the reduction ratio, regardless of chain size, since the pitch is the same for both sprockets in a set. So a 15/42 will always be a reduction ratio of 42/15=2.8, no matter what size chain you are talking about. The 17/48 combo will give a reduction of 48/17=2.8235, Close, but not the same thing.

There, I feel MUCH better now....


Mark

 

[Hoomgar]

I am also doing this as we speak. My freshly rebuilt engine will be going back into the bike with a 530 conversion.

 

[Anonymous]

One bit of advice. Since the links are shorter on the 530 go with a bigger drive sprocket. Go up about 3 or 4 teeth. A 530 15 tooth is going to be smaller in diameter than a 15 tooth 630. You need the larger diameter to give the chain an easier path around a tight turn.

Yes, the 530 sprocket is smaller in diameter, but the chain pitch is shorter, as well. Proportionally, a 15 tooth 530 sprocket forces the same turn on the 530 chain as a 15 tooth 630 sprocket forces on the 630 chain. So it is no change to the chain itself.

That said, the bigger the sprocket the better, for chain life. If you have room to put a 16 tooth 530 sprocket in there, then it is an improvement. I would go with a 16/45 set on the conversion, it will give a bit better acceleration (slightly shorter ratio than the 15/42 set) and the chain will live longer.

Mark

 

[KGB]

I don't disagree with any of you.

I kept the stock gearing 15/42 no problems.
By the way, this bike is ridden, and ridden hard.
It does see a few trips to redline and does lots of 2 up riding.

It's not unusual for a Sunday ride to be 300 miles.
The bike is not babied..and the chain in has been adjusted once.
That was at about 500 miles.
I do use chain wax,Maxima on it.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

KGB, what thickness are your spacers for the front sprocket? The same as the dampening collars that get removed?

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I am also doing this as we speak. My freshly rebuilt engine will be going back into the bike with a 530 conversion.

Man, this gets confusing. Everyone has a different opinion. 15/42, 16/45, 17/48...get a bigger front to improve chain life...
Mark, what sprockets are you going to go with? Do you want to retain the exact same gearing as stock? I like my gearing just the way it is. I don't want the rpm's to be higher or lower at a given speed.
And how about this issue of spacer(s) on the front?

 

[Anonymous]

Man, this gets confusing. Everyone has a different opinion. 15/42, 16/45, 17/48...get a bigger front to improve chain life...

It doesn't have to be. I merely mentioned that a larger front sprocket will improve chain life. That said, a high quality O-ring chaing will get 20,000+ miles if cared for, so life is not a real big issue for most of us. If you like the stock gearing, keep it and merely go to the 530 sized chain. And then go ride your bike, don't worry about the chain anymore.


Mark

 

[earlfor]

When I changed the drive on my 750 from #630 chain to #530 chain, I approached it as:
#630 sprockets were 15/42 for a ratio of 2.8 #630 chain is 3/4" pin to pin, so a 15 tooth sprocket would wrap 11.25 inches of chain in 360 deg.

#530 chain is 5/8" pin to pin. To preserve diameter, 11.25/.625 equals 18 teeth. 2.8 x 18 equals 45. for the same countershaft sprocket diameter and the same overall ratio, I arrived at 18 countershaft and 45 rear sprockets.
More teeth on a sprocket spreads the load over more bearing surfaces, so wear is reduced.

A 15/42 #630 setup on a 750E requires 96 links. At .75" per link, the chain length is 72". Assuming countershaft sprocket of the same diameter in #530 chain, then since a half wrap around a #630 42 tooth sprocket would measure 15.25" and a half wrap around a #530 45 would measure 14" you can see that aproximately a 1" reduction in chain length with the #530 sprockets will be needed. So, 71" inches of #530 would be a chain length of 113 links (roughly)

Earl

 

[robinjo]

When I changed the drive on my 750 from #630 chain to #530 chain, I approached it as:
#630 sprockets were 15/42 for a ratio of 2.8 #630 chain is 3/4" pin to pin, so a 15 tooth sprocket would wrap 11.25 inches of chain in 360 deg.

#530 chain is 5/8" pin to pin. To preserve diameter, 11.25/.625 equals 18 teeth. 2.8 x 18 equals 45. for the same counter shaft sprocket diameter and the same overall ratio, I arrived at 18 counter shaft and 45 rear sprockets.
More teeth on a sprocket spreads the load over more bearing surfaces, so wear is reduced.

A 15/42 #630 setup on a 750E requires 96 links. At .75" per link, the chain length is 72". Assuming counter shaft sprocket of the same diameter in #530 chain, then since a half wrap around a #630 42 tooth sprocket would measure 15.25" and a half wrap around a #530 45 would measure 14" you can see that approximately a reduction in chain length with the #530 sprockets will be needed. So, 71" inches of #530 would be a chain length of 113 links (roughly)

Earl

Earl

Very informative post Earl!

Now I am in the process of going to 530 on my Katana and offsetting the chain run at the same time, for this purpose I bought a 13 mm offset 17 tooth sprocket so to keep roughly the stock gearing I would need a 43 tooth rear then?

Oh and I borrowed a 88-89 GSX-R rear sprocket for test fitting today and it has 5 holes :?: :? instead of 6. Which ones do interchange with GS(X)?

 

[earlfor]

I dont know what your stock gearing was. Just count the teeth on your #630 countershaft sprocket and count the teeth on the #630 rear sprocket. For example, countershaft was 15 teeth and rear was 42 teeth, then 42/15 results in a ratio of 2.8

Now........ you have a #530 17 tooth countershaft sprocket. 2.8 x 17 equals 47.6 To preserve the ratio then, you need either a 47 or 48 tooth rear sprocket if youre going to use the 17 front.

For sprockets for #530 conversions on GS's, here are some that will fit.

Countershaft sprockets:

GSF1200S Bandit
GSF600S Bandit
GSXR750 86-97
GSX600F Katana 88-02
SV650 all
GSX750F Katana 89-01
YZF600R 94-02
FZR600R 89-99
ZX600A/B/C/D/E Ninja
All the KZ650s except the KZ650 H CSR
KZ750 76-79
ZX750 Ninja 87-94
VN800 Vulcan 95-02
ZX-9R Ninja 94-01

Rear Sprocket:

GSXR750 90-95
GSF1200S Bandit
GT750 all

Earl

Now I am in the process of going to 530 on my Katana and offsetting the chain run at the same time, for this purpose I bought a 13 mm offset 17 tooth sprocket so to keep roughly the stock gearing I would need a 43 tooth rear then?

Oh and I borrowed a 88-89 GSX-R rear sprocket for test fitting today and it has 5 holes :?: :? instead of 6. Which ones do interchange with GS(X)?

 

[earlfor]

EDIT.......... apparently, I hit a wrong number on my calculator when making this post. The numbers are not correct, but I will not re-do it since I feel it would be confusing if someone didnt read all of the posts. The important thing is the method/how to figure it out and that is unaffected by the error.

Earl

When I changed the drive on my 750 from #630 chain to #530 chain, I approached it as:
#630 sprockets were 15/42 for a ratio of 2.8 #630 chain is 3/4" pin to pin, so a 15 tooth sprocket would wrap 11.25 inches of chain in 360 deg.

#530 chain is 5/8" pin to pin. To preserve diameter, 11.25/.625 equals 18 teeth. 2.8 x 18 equals 50. for the same counter shaft sprocket diameter and the same overall ratio, I arrived at 18 counter shaft and 45 rear sprockets.
More teeth on a sprocket spreads the load over more bearing surfaces, so wear is reduced.

A 15/42 #630 setup on a 750E requires 96 links. At .75" per link, the chain length is 72". Assuming counter shaft sprocket of the same diameter in #530 chain, then since a half wrap around a #630 42 tooth sprocket would measure 15.25" and a half wrap around a #530 45 would measure 14" you can see that approximately a reduction in chain length with the #530 sprockets will be needed. So, 71" inches of #530 would be a chain length of 113 links (roughly)

Earl

Earl

Very informative post Earl!

Now I am in the process of going to 530 on my Katana and offsetting the chain run at the same time, for this purpose I bought a 13 mm offset 17 tooth sprocket so to keep roughly the stock gearing I would need a 43 tooth rear then?

Oh and I borrowed a 88-89 GSX-R rear sprocket for test fitting today and it has 5 holes :?: :? instead of 6. Which ones do interchange with GS(X)?

 

[Hoomgar]

I am also doing this as we speak. My freshly rebuilt engine will be going back into the bike with a 530 conversion.

Man, this gets confusing. Everyone has a different opinion. 15/42, 16/45, 17/48...get a bigger front to improve chain life...
Mark, what sprockets are you going to go with? Do you want to retain the exact same gearing as stock? I like my gearing just the way it is. I don't want the rpm's to be higher or lower at a given speed.
And how about this issue of spacer(s) on the front?

The spacer is on order. It's just a washer. And yes, stock 15/42 for me. I ran my bike with the 630 o-ring chains on a 14/42 setup for the last 10 years and although it gave a noticeable jump out of the hole I don't really care for it on highways. Plus it tears up the 630 fast that way.

The 530 is supposed to be the way to go now. So I am going to try it with a very high quality chain and alloy sprockets and stock 15/42 gearing.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just another thought. Since the 530 front sprocket is much smaller in diameter, the chain will be much closer to rubbing the swingarm.
Plus I think it's a fact that a smaller sprocket will lessen chain life. When I eventually do this mod, I may go with a 16/45 or 17/48. It also depends on how much clearance the sprocket cover provides for these larger spockets.
Mark, where did you order the spacer from? I assume it's the same thickness as the original "dampening" collar?

 

[simon lambert]

Now there is a whole new thread.. alloy rear sprocket or steel??
I have an alloy that was on my Astralites of a Ducati, but I went for steel one when I futted the wheels to my bike.. I was considering nylon..
Even though when I used them when I was younger and never had a problem I just couldn,t do it this time..
Regards Simon

 

[earlfor]

Yes, chain rub on the swingarm is a consideration. I think it is best to try to preserve the original countershaft sprocket diameter. Just as a point of interest, a #630 42 is a larger diameter sprocket than a #530 48.
I had to change the mount holes in the chainguard to lower it enough to cover the chain.

Earl

Just another thought. Since the 530 front sprocket is much smaller in diameter, the chain will be much closer to rubbing the swingarm.
Plus I think it's a fact that a smaller sprocket will lessen chain life. When I eventually do this mod, I may go with a 16/45 or 17/48. It also depends on how much clearance the sprocket cover provides for these larger spockets.
Mark, where did you order the spacer from? I assume it's the same thickness as the original "dampening" collar?

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Earl, with all these numbers being thrown around, I'm getting dizzy. :lol:
I didn't think of the chainguard thing. I wouldn't be able to lower my guard easily. The front is a plastic tab that slides under a hook on the swingarm. I could lower the back mount but then the guard would be tilted and look funny and maybe even cause the front tab to break.
Just to help me make a decision, what was your stock gearing and what is it now? You say a 630/42 is larger than a 530/48? By how much? I hope to avoid this chainguard mod'. So I'll go with 17/48 or even 18/51 if that's possible.

 

[Hoomgar]

Just another thought. Since the 530 front sprocket is much smaller in diameter, the chain will be much closer to rubbing the swingarm.
Plus I think it's a fact that a smaller sprocket will lessen chain life. When I eventually do this mod, I may go with a 16/45 or 17/48. It also depends on how much clearance the sprocket cover provides for these larger spockets.
Mark, where did you order the spacer from? I assume it's the same thickness as the original "dampening" collar?

Keith, the spacer is just a washer. You can use any washer and just get the thickness you need. As for the other comment. My 2 cents is that is a bad idea. The front sprocket is not much smaller. It is only marginally smaller. You have to lay them on top of each other to see the differance. It is not going to be any closer to your swingarm. At least not enough to worry about. I ran a 14t in the front for my 630 for 10 years and it is actually a bit smaller than a 15t 530 front will be. I never had a problem with it hitting the swingarm.

The 15/42 will be maintained regardless and changing it when you go 530 will be the same as if you went with that same tooth configuration with a 630. The ratio is the same. I personally would not want to even think about how doggie it would make your bike if you threw a 17 on the front. But thats just me.


If you just stay with the 15/42 you will have no concerns hitting the swingarm and have no problems with your chain gaurd either. It will fit nicely.