Topic: I'm an idiot... chain bad? really?

[mikedialect]

well, it looks like I have 14-43. I put in a call to dennis kirk today and they don't offer conversion sprocket sizes. Sounds like I might be out of luck on getting a 530 chain on there!

The Dennis Kirk tech guys were able to talk with me about the appropriate conversion; but, as you found, the company didn't have what I wanted by way of sprockets (seems to me they didn't have the front sprockets available, nor access to them).  I got mine from Bike Bandit, though not the ones I originally wanted.  It has been working well.  Check out my post for the whole tortuous process. 

*nods* I feel like I will be playing it safe in regards to the lack of clearance I was seeing under the sprocket cover. I think I am going to go stock. I'm a weenie

[medic09]

There is nothing wrong with stock.  That's why most folks keep it that way.

[scondon]

 Just curious as to what the 530 "conversion" actually means. Does it mean sticking with the 14/43 sprocket count but in a 530 size?

  I've just been using 17/48 sprockets and 530 chain for the K and early F models, readily available and no problems fitting them to both of my F2's.  The final drive gear ratio does drop from 3.04 to 2.86 but still plenty of punch down low and the rpm's drop a bit at freeway cruising speed.

[dusterdude]

sean,when you do a 530 conversion,you change sprocket teeth numbers,but im not sure to what.

[mikedialect]

Just curious as to what the 530 "conversion" actually means. Does it mean sticking with the 14/43 sprocket count but in a 530 size?

  I've just been using 17/48 sprockets and 530 chain for the K and early F models, readily available and no problems fitting them to both of my F2's.  The final drive gear ratio does drop from 3.04 to 2.86 but still plenty of punch down low and the rpm's drop a bit at freeway cruising speed.

From Z1 (http://www.z1enterprises.com/reference/chain630to530.aspx)- Pete on the board passed this on to me. It's interesting stuff.

Converting from 630 to 530 chain
 

How to determine the correct sprockets and chain when converting

Why change to 530 chain?

Two main reason:
Cost savings - the 530 chain tends to work out about $10-$15 cheaper.
Weight saving - this is less mass the engine has to drive - and this tied directly with HP to the rear wheel.

A third reason is chain options - you can get more colors of 530 chain, and more variety of O Ring types.

In converting, it is fairly easy to calc the 530 sprocket sizes (see below) - but then you need to match against the availability of sprockets. If you want custom sprockets, Sprocket Specialists can make just about any size rear sprocket in aluminum - the caution here is cost and wait - depending on the time of year, you can wait 3-4 weeks for a custom sprocket, and may pay $10-$15 or more over the cost of a steel sprocket.

630 chain is 3/4" pitch (or think of it as 6/8"), 530 chain is 5/8" pitch - so the simple conversion in teeth is divide the 630 sprocket teeth count by 5 and multiply by 6.

630 15 tooth front becomes a 530 18 tooth sprocket.
630 35 tooth rear becomes a 530 42 tooth sprocket.
92 link rear chain becomes 110.4 links (rounded to 110).

The sprockets are the same diameter as before, just with more (but smaller) teeth.

Often you end up with fractions of teeth - these you have to round up or down - the key here is to calculate a ratio close to the ratio you require...

Click to read more on calculating sprocket sizes

To be able to easily convert from 630 to 530, you have to find sprockets with the same mount attributes.

For the rear sprockets, this means having the same center size and bolt spacing.  The following two sprockets have the same 80mm hole spacing, bolt centers 104mm apart and bolt holes 10.5mm in diameter.



For the front sprockets, the center spline size and teeth count must match to be able to swap the sprockets - the Z=13 shows the spline count and the 25mm & 21.6mm show the diameter and depth of the teeth.



Sprocket spacing is important too - on the two front sprockets above, you will see the 630 version has a slight boss (raised area) to the inside - to be able to switch to the 530 equivalent sprocket, spacers must be added to give enough clearance between the chain and the engine cases.  We sell spacers from both sprocket specialists and JT Sprockets - the JT sprockets spacer is 6mm, the Sprocket Specialists version is 1.5mm.

[mikedialect]

There is nothing wrong with stock.  That's why most folks keep it that way.

Yeah, I just thought I could lighten the price tag by 15 bucks as well... looks like this one is going to have to wait a little bit!

[mikedialect]

Well, I popped the new sprocekts and chain on today and I did loose the noise I was hearing. The sprockets didn't look to bad in comparison with the new stuff, but I did see that I was starting o hook the front sprocket a bit. I'd also like to add that this process is a great time to clean the rims and rear end!