Few questions regarding 530 chain conversion.

[Guest]

Hi all,

Seems the factory settings for 1980 Suzuki GS1100E are 15 teeth front, 42 teeth rear sprocket and a 96 link 630 chain (please verify).

When converting to 530 chain how many links longer should it be, given it's a smaller chain.

Should I keep the sprocket teeth numbers same, or go up in the front/or down a few in the rear sprocket to accommodate the smaller chain size.

Thank you!

 

[TxGSrider]

I could be wrong but most of us end up with 17/48 or 18/48 (highway gears) combo.

 

[Grand Rouge]

With my 18 48 530 conversion 114 links. 83 1100

 

[Rob S.]

42 and 15 are correct. I think most keep the stock ratios, even if they convert to 530.

 

[Nessism]

15T + 3T for 530 (to maintain the stock sprocket size) = 18T Front

42/15 = 2.8 stock ratio

18 x 2.8 = 50T rear sprocket

96 link 630 chain x .75" per link = 72" chain length

72" / .625" (link length for 530) = 115.2 (Use 116 link 530 chain)

 

[Guest]

15T + 3T for 530 (to maintain the stock sprocket size) = 18T Front

42/15 = 2.8 stock ratio

18 x 2.8 = 50T rear sprocket

96 link 630 chain x .75" per link = 72" chain length

72" / .625" (link length for 530) = 115.2 (Use 116 link 530 chain)

Thanks Nessism, does this mean that 18 is the smallest size that will fit ? Largest rear sprocket available to me at the moment is 45, so I could get similar ratio with 16 or 17 up front, just not sure if it would fit. Thanks!

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

This is the outline calculator I used in this thread when I did the 530 conversion. Lots of good help and info in there. If trying to match the original factory drive ratio of your bike, that info should be in your owners manual and factory service manual. Get manuals on BikeCliffs Website. You can see instantly with the calculator how the ratio changes with different sprocket/ chain combos.

edited to link the correct calculator

 

[Guest]

Ed has the numbers correct but glosses over some of the math and adds a few unnecessary steps. The easiest way to calculate the new sprockets and chain length is to use the pitch ratio between the two chains. This is 5/6. To get the new sprocket sizes while keeping the same pitch diameter you simply need to multiply the teeth by the inverted ratio.

New front sprocket = 15 x (6/5) = 18 teeth
New rear sprocket = 42 x (6/5) = 50.4 teeth (you can either go 50T or 51T, depending if you want to be slightly taller or shorter than the stock drive ratio)
New chain length = 96 x (6/5) = 115.2 (use 116 links as Ed says)


Mark

 

[Nessism]

Thanks Nessism, does this mean that 18 is the smallest size that will fit ? Largest rear sprocket available to me at the moment is 45, so I could get similar ratio with 16 or 17 up front, just not sure if it would fit. Thanks!

The idea is to keep the stock front sprocket size, or consider going larger if there is room around the engine cases. If you go smaller there will be more energy loss since chains don't like tight turns. And if you go really small it's possible for the chain to rub the swingarm.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ed,

My Ontario retailer has front 18, but largest rear they have is 45. Any source in U.S. that I could get 50 teeth rear?

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Try Z1 Enterprises. That’s where I got mine, recommend by Ed, and as usual, he’s spot on.

 

[Guest]

I think I may have found a 50T. Forgot to ask about the spacer for the front sprocket - is it 6mm?

 

[Guest]

I think I may have found a 50T. Forgot to ask about the spacer for the front sprocket - is it 6mm?

Yes. If you find a supplier for that spacer I may need to order one as well for my 530 conversion. If your local supplier doesn't have a 50T rear, try Amazon.ca, it is where I got mine from.


Mark

 

[Guest]

Yes. If you find a supplier for that spacer I may need to order one as well for my 530 conversion. If your local supplier doesn't have a 50T rear, try Amazon.ca, it is where I got mine from.


Mark

Sounds like they're difficult to come across, I'll let you know if I manage to find one.

 

[Guest]

Yes. If you find a supplier for that spacer I may need to order one as well for my 530 conversion. If your local supplier doesn't have a 50T rear, try Amazon.ca, it is where I got mine from.


Mark

Got it off ebay, quite a few of them there - JTF 518B is the product code.

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for chiming in, 18/50 sprockets & 116 link chain have been ordered. Cheers!

 

[Guest]

Got it off ebay, quite a few of them there - JTF 518B is the product code.

I will take a look, thanks.

EDIT - I see why there are lots there, they are 2-5x the price that Fortnine lists them for when shipping is added in.


Mark

 

[Guest]

I will take a look, thanks.

EDIT - I see why there are lots there, they are 2-5x the price that Fortnine lists them for when shipping is added in.


Mark

Yup, but I'm not counting on Fortnine to get them back in stock anytime soon.

 

[salty_monk]

Z1 enterprises have the spacer & yes it is 6mm. It goes on the OUTSIDE (nut side) of the sprocket.

 

[Guest]

Mark (mmattockx) has the concept correct, but glosses over how some of those numbers were obtained.

Ed has the numbers correct but glosses over some of the math and adds a few unnecessary steps. The easiest way to calculate the new sprockets and chain length is to use the pitch ratio between the two chains. This is 5/6. To get the new sprocket sizes while keeping the same pitch diameter you simply need to multiply the teeth by the inverted ratio.

New front sprocket = 15 x (6/5) = 18 teeth
New rear sprocket = 42 x (6/5) = 50.4 teeth (you can either go 50T or 51T, depending if you want to be slightly taller or shorter than the stock drive ratio)
New chain length = 96 x (6/5) = 115.2 (use 116 links as Ed says)


Mark

Those numbers are there because the chain numbers aren't just numbers, they are sizes. The stock 630 chain is 6 eighths of an inch between the pins (pitch) and 3.0 tenths of an inch in (inside) width, giving it a 630 designation. Similarly, the 530 chain is 5 eighths pitch and 3.0 tenths wide.

Since the links are shorter (5/8" vs 6/8"), it is easy to calculate the difference in length. The difference in the sprocket is to maintain the same diameter. Knowing the number of teeth in the stock sprocket and using that 5/6 ratio, it's easy to get the new number.