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New chain with old sprockets?

Vmass

Vmass

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
I realize under normal circumstances the chain and sprockets should be replaced at the same time.

However, this current project has me considering replacing the chain only. I know the 530 conversion is simple and cost effective. But, my goal is to keep as many original parts on this bike as possible.

My case: bike is a GS1000 with 2,200 miles since new. The sprockets appear to be in great shape. The chain is very stiff and most likely has not been oiled in 25+ years, it must be replaced.

Options:

1) New 630 chain w/old sprockets (cheapest, quickest and preferred option)
2) New 630 with new sprockets ( this would be my second choice)
3) 530 conversion ( I really want to keep the bike as original as possible)

What say you?

Thanks!
 
Thanks for the quick replies.......630 chain only it is!

Ed, thanks for the link, it doesn't appear this seller has a 96 link chain available.

I will check out other sellers.
 
I'd do it, but I bet the chain doesn't last as long as it would with new sprockets?

Modern chains go damned near forever anyway so go for it.
 
If the chain is just stiff, and not rusted to $hit, why not try to clean it, oil it and see if it moves freely, it can't be worn out, if the sprockets are that good...

take it off, get a shallow pan, lay the chain in it, and get some kerosene, let it soak for a few days, use a brush to agitate, and work the chain manually with your hands, moving the links and working them free.

it might save you from having to get a chain, and the old ones are good, I still have the original on my GS, not a stiff link on it, after the above was done....now it's nicely oiled and maintained, only reason for me to change it, would be to get one of those fancy gold colored ones, or some other color....

.
 
Except the GS 1000s came with an O ring chain, I bet some of the o rings are gone, and the rest will fall apart once you start riding. It won't last long after that
 
tkent02 said:
Except the GS 1000s came with an O ring chain, I bet some of the o rings are gone, and the rest will fall apart once you start riding. It won't last long after that
Click to expand...

I see....

But I believe my chain is of the same type, I guess it's just newer being an 83...

best to change it, if there is any doubt about it's ability to stay together...

.
 
GateKeeper said:
I see....

But I believe my chain is of the same type, I guess it's just newer being an 83...

best to change it, if there is any doubt about it's ability to stay together...

.
Click to expand...

I think if it's been ridden or oiled once in a while it would be OK, but I have lost half the o rings in one ride on an old unloved chain. Got a parts bike running, took it for a ride, O rings coming out all over the place.

Have you looked at yours to see if all of the O rings are all still there? If not it's days are numbered.
 
I will double check, I did not see any missing before, but before this season ride, I will double check the chain's on both bikes and make sure...

I oil and lube and clean the one on the GS, and did not notice anything, but it never hurts to check again....

Cheers
 
I would do the 530 conversion. Just by looking you can't really tell the difference all that much. Just with the cost of the 630 chain its self would pay for the whole 530 set up. And you lose all that weight and rotating mass. You will feel the difference.
 
mrbill5491 said:
I would do the 530 conversion. Just by looking you can't really tell the difference all that much. Just with the cost of the 630 chain its self would pay for the whole 530 set up. And you lose all that weight and rotating mass. You will feel the difference.
Click to expand...

I knew someone would chime in with a logical reason to do the 530 conversion.

I did it on my previous S and you are correct, appearance wise, I don't think anyone could tell the difference.

This is just a mindset thing with me on this bike. Since it is such a low mileage bike, I would like to keep as many of the original parts as possible on the bike. However, I will not risk the safety of anyone riding it.

Hijack: One thing I will certainly struggle with on this bike is the paint. There is lots of room for improvement and knowing how nice these things can look when painted correctly, I will have a hard time living with the 30+ year old paint.

I got a quote from the second best motorcycle painter in the country......we'll see.
 
Vmass said:
I knew someone would chime in with a logical reason to do the 530 conversion.

I did it on my previous S and you are correct, appearance wise, I don't think anyone could tell the difference.

This is just a mindset thing with me on this bike. Since it is such a low mileage bike, I would like to keep as many of the original parts as possible on the bike. However, I will not risk the safety of anyone riding it.

Hijack: One thing I will certainly struggle with on this bike is the paint. There is lots of room for improvement and knowing how nice these things can look when painted correctly, I will have a hard time living with the 30+ year old paint.

I got a quote from the second best motorcycle painter in the country......we'll see.
Click to expand...

I was going to paint my Canadian Cooley because the original paint was a 7/10 but I'm OK with it now as it shows a bit of character, as someone once said, it's only original once.
I have a full set of decals that I may not need now, if you do decide to paint let me know.

Oh, and a 96 link 630 from Z1 Ent is not that expensive, $136.00 that's what I got for mine and original Suzuki sprockets so they looked original.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...630+Chain+RK+96+link+XW-ring&item=LA630GSV-96
 
Kiwi Canuck said:
I was going to paint my Canadian Cooley because the original paint was a 7/10 but I'm OK with it now as it shows a bit of character, as someone once said, it's only original once.
I have a full set of decals that I may not need now, if you do decide to paint let me know.

Oh, and a 96 link 630 from Z1 Ent is not that expensive, $136.00 that's what I got for mine and original Suzuki sprockets so they looked original.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...630+Chain+RK+96+link+XW-ring&item=LA630GSV-96
Click to expand...

Thanks David.... I completely get the " it's only original once" reasoning.

I will get everything else on the bike cleaned up and see what it looks like.

Thanks for the heads up on the decals. However, this Cooley thing is addictive, you may find a use for them! If not, I will take them.

Thanks for the Z1 link. Always great to del with them.
 
How about dunking the stock chain in a pan of ATF for a couple days? Nothing to loose (but the price of the oil).
 
Type in 630 chain on Ebay...lots of them there for around 60.00 or so. Be sure to get the 96 link standard length or longer. Can always cut a few pins and remove unneeded links.
 
I may try soaking in ATF or kerosene, simply out of curiosity. I just don't have confidence, knowing how long it has been neglected.

A new chain is a small price for peace of mind.
 
GateKeeper said:
If the chain is just stiff, and not rusted to $hit, why not try to clean it, oil it and see if it moves freely, it can't be worn out, if the sprockets are that good...

take it off, get a shallow pan, lay the chain in it, and get some kerosene, let it soak for a few days, use a brush to agitate, and work the chain manually with your hands, moving the links and working them free.

it might save you from having to get a chain, and the old ones are good, I still have the original on my GS, not a stiff link on it, after the above was done....now it's nicely oiled and maintained, only reason for me to change it, would be to get one of those fancy gold colored ones, or some other color....

.
Click to expand...

I had to swap out the chain on my Bandit because the chain was so stiff it clunked. Surprisingly, it deteriorated quickly, but riding through a lot of rain probably led to that, even though it was oiled regularly.

The cause of the problem was the o-rings had died and dirt had gotten inside, along with water. the dirt caused abrasion and the extra space the abrasion brought was used by water to cause rust.

I had been using a conventional chain oil, and suspect it washed out during the repeated onslaughts of water/rain. In fact, the first time I noticed anything wrong was while sitting in heavy city traffic during a torrential downpour, and the chain "clunked" when I pulled away.

The chain-wax now used seems much better.

.

Replacement was an easy choice.
 
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