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Author Topic: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????  (Read 3734 times)

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Offline 03rangerxlt

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How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« on: June 09, 2012, 11:13:56 AM »
It seems there are many different variables involved in buying the right chain, and I don't know what any of them reallymean.

Do I need a 520 or 530 chain?
Do I need and o-ring chain?
How many links?

Argh.  I don't want to buy a new chain, but I'm thinking its a safety issue to reuse the old one I have?
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Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2012, 11:27:29 AM »
Ok, so I posted after first searching, and didn't find anything on this topic.  Then I used the Google search on the page, and actually found some results.

So I need a 98 link 530 chain, NOT AN O-RING CHAIN!!!!

Where is a good place to get a reasonably priced chain?  I am OUT OF MONEY for this project!!!
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2012, 11:33:04 AM »
530 Standard chain  (same mechanical dimensions as DID50 which is what Honda put on when new)

The 550s use 100 Links.  I thought the 500 was the same, but I have no confirming reference.

Do check sprockets for wear as well.  Worn sprockets will make a new chain wear rapidly.

Did you test the old chain for wear limits?
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Offline lucky

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2012, 11:39:23 AM »
Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 09, 2012, 11:13:56 AM
It seems there are many different variables involved in buying the right chain, and I don't know what any of them reallymean.

Do I need a 520 or 530 chain?
Do I need and o-ring chain?
How many links?

Argh.  I don't want to buy a new chain, but I'm thinking its a safety issue to reuse the old one I have?

I will say this again. You do not need the O ring chain and all the tools.

All you need is a regular chain with a master link. Available at MANY motorcycle websites.
Tsubaki,Diamond Chain etc.,.
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Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2012, 11:48:02 AM »
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Offline Rigid

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2012, 12:27:19 PM »
JC Whitney sells chain at very reasonable prices.  They have sprockets also if it comes to that.  Don't just replace because of a safety issue, you chain may be safe, just check it out as tt suggested.
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2012, 12:49:35 PM »
Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 09, 2012, 11:48:02 AM
so any of these will work:
http://www.amazon.com/DID-530-98-Standard-Series-Connecting/dp/B006O84RDS
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/rk-chain-rk-m-530-standard/248-1473.aspx
Yes, if 98 links is correct for your bike.  Did you count the links on your present chain?
You can shorten a longer chain if necessary.  More difficult to lengthen one.

Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 09, 2012, 11:48:02 AM
WHat are wear limits?

Below from the Honda Common Service Manual.
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2012, 08:34:04 PM »
Quote from: TwoTired on June 09, 2012, 12:49:35 PM
Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 09, 2012, 11:48:02 AM
so any of these will work:
http://www.amazon.com/DID-530-98-Standard-Series-Connecting/dp/B006O84RDS
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/rk-chain-rk-m-530-standard/248-1473.aspx
Yes, if 98 links is correct for your bike.  Did you count the links on your present chain?
You can shorten a longer chain if necessary.  More difficult to lengthen one.

Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 09, 2012, 11:48:02 AM
WHat are wear limits?

Below from the Honda Common Service Manual.

I think I read a post on here from somebody who said the CB500 has 98, and the CB550 has 100...
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2012, 07:53:29 AM »
Those chains are priced ve-ry cheap. I wouldn't hesitate.
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Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2012, 03:06:59 PM »
I think I'm going to try this one: 
http://www.amazon.com/DID-530-98-Standard-Series-Connecting/dp/B006O84RDS?tag=vglnk-c1583-20
The website says its good for 400cc motors...  What says the hive about use on a 500???
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2012, 04:37:49 PM »
It will be fine,
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72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

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Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2012, 11:17:47 AM »
Will I have any issues using a 100 link chain, or do I really need to use 98 links?
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bollingball

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2012, 12:00:45 PM »
I like to buy a few extra links. If it has streached and a po took off a link or two then you are short. You can shove the wheel up and cut to fit easy.

Lucky I will say this again. You do not need the O ring chain and all the tools.

You can never have too many tools. Or spare parts  ;D ;D


Ken
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2012, 12:21:05 PM »
Quote from: 03rangerxlt on June 17, 2012, 11:17:47 AM
Will I have any issues using a 100 link chain, or do I really need to use 98 links?
Probably run out of adjustment travel before the chain wears out.

And you don't remove links because?

Just grind off the end of the pin and punch it out in the open jaws of the vise.
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2012, 12:35:30 PM »
ok, I am going to order a 100 link chain, and see what I can do without a chain breaker.  I would like to not buy the chain breaker tool, in the interest in keeping costs down and the wife happy!
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bollingball

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #15 on: June 17, 2012, 12:42:17 PM »
You are over thinking this get 110 links and remove what you don't need. End of story move on.

This is starting to remind me of lostmyminds oil level ;D
Ken
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 12:44:11 PM by bollingball »
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Offline 03rangerxlt

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Re: How do I buy a chain for my '72 CB500????
« Reply #16 on: June 28, 2012, 07:23:15 AM »
Quote from: bollingball on June 17, 2012, 12:42:17 PM
You are over thinking this get 110 links and remove what you don't need. End of story move on.

This is starting to remind me of lostmyminds oil level ;D
Ken

You were right, I was over thinking this.  I cut my new chain and installed it yeasterday without any issues.  Helped that I bought a $21 chain tool, and I'll bet I will be happy one day that I have that in my tool box.
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