Topic: OOPS - Need to do a 530 to 520 conversion on cb550

[Tintop]

went to fit the chain today, a beautiful RK 530 Xring.  anything more than factory play and it's going to rub my custom SBK swing arm.  seems when the arm was fitted a 520 was used    it clears perfectly

so...given this has been done (just haven't found the info ), who are sources for front and rear sprockets.  figure Sprocket Specialties should be able to supply rear, any help for the front?

[bwaller]

You can just machine a 530 front down to size. I use Sprocket Specialists for rears but their 520 fronts are narrow on the c-shaft plus use a c-clip instead of the Honda lock plate. I like a 520 front sprocket that's wider where it rides on the shaft.

A 530 o-ring will very likely be too wide and gouge into things anyway, good choice going 520  

[Gordon]

Why not just stick with the 530 standard?  It will be significantly narrower than the 530 x-ring you bought and could very well be what they designed the swing arm for since it's the stock size and chain type. 

[crazypj]

you are aware that a 530 '0', 'X' or any other ring will chew up oilseal housing and at very least cause a difficult to repair oil leak?

[traveler]

went to fit the chain today, a beautiful RK 530 Xring.  anything more than factory play and it's going to rub my custom SBK swing arm.  seems when the arm was fitted a 520 was used    it clears perfectly

so...given this has been done (just haven't found the info ), who are sources for front and rear sprockets.  figure Sprocket Specialties should be able to supply rear, any help for the front?

Simple.


eBay....front sprocket.  I went 2 teeth smaller for acceleration (15T)...stock is 17T.

Rear....I went Sprocket Specialists, and got an alloy 37 T rear sprocket, and only did that because I had a 750 rear hub setup, and 550 sprockets and 750 sprockets don't interchange.

That said, Sprocket Specialists makes TOP QUALITY stuff....so don't hesitate if that's what you want!

~joe

[bwaller]

If you want something other than a 17T front, JTSprockets offers 520 fronts with a thicker(530) width center section for different models. PM me for numbers.

[Tintop]

you are aware that a 530 '0', 'X' or any other ring will chew up oilseal housing and at very least cause a difficult to repair oil leak?

was not aware of that potential problem

thanks

[Tintop]

If you want something other than a 17T front, JTSprockets offers 520 fronts with a thicker(530) width center section for different models. PM me for numbers.

PM sent

[Tintop]

looks like Sprocket Specialties can supply both parts for my 530 to 520 conversion.  SS's front sprocket is shouldered like the original, but uses a c-clip instead of the Honda plate.  also decided that if I'm going to make this change, will also change ratio for better acceleration.

stock - 17/37 > 2.18   options: 17/38 > 2.24  /  16/37 > 2.31  /  16/38 > 2.38
looking at going with the 17/38 combination as it still leaves the option of changing to a 16 front later.  feel anything more will kill highway cruising rpm's

SS's #'s - rear: 520-38-245C ($34.99)/ front: 5033-17 ($12.92)

just need a new 520 chain now   anyone need a new JT 17 / 37 sprocket combination, or a 530 RK x-ring (120 links with rivet master)?

[Caymen]

When I got my bike, I had the 16/37 combo. Went back to the 17/37 combo. Personally, I liked it much better.

I am now getting ready to run a 17/36 combo > 2.12:1. I am hoping I like it even better.


Tom

[crazypj]

I likes 17/33 best with 591 conversion 

[Tintop]

When I got my bike, I had the 16/37 combo. Went back to the 17/37 combo. Personally, I liked it much better.

I am now getting ready to run a 17/36 combo > 2.12:1. I am hoping I like it even better.


Tom

thanks for the information Tom.  I originally was going to use a new 530 17/37 JT set, but had already decided to slightly bias gearing toward acceleration.  this just gave me an opportunity to do it now.  commuting around here is short runs, very little highway for me.  so I'm prepared to accept the increase in cruising rpm, about 3%.  by the way your drop from 16/37 to 17/37 was about 6%, would have been very noticeable.  wonder what 2:12 will be like around town?

[Tintop]

I likes 17/33 best with 591 conversion 

crazypj - when I build a 590+ I'm sure it too will sport tall gearing and a looooong sweep speedo

[IndyFour]

I am running a 17/36 setup mainly because the shop down the street didn't have a 37 rear sprocket in stock and he gave me this 36 tooth for a "bargain price".  I have to say I like it.  Riding on the highway, 70-75 mph feels much less intense (in a good way).  Around town, I can feel a slight difference in the low end, but it's not enough of a difference to really change the riding experience.  One tooth on the rear is a very minimal change to the gearing.

[Tintop]

I am running a 17/36 setup mainly because the shop down the street didn't have a 37 rear sprocket in stock and he gave me this 36 tooth for a "bargain price".  I have to say I like it.  Riding on the highway, 70-75 mph feels much less intense (in a good way).  Around town, I can feel a slight difference in the low end, but it's not enough of a difference to really change the riding experience.  One tooth on the rear is a very minimal change to the gearing.

quite agree IndyFour. with my dual engine racing kart I use to run 1 tooth more on one side.  that was the engine that liked to rev, the other seemed to make a touch more torque.  the extra tooth helped 'sync' the two power bands.  would change sprockets until the torque motor 'floated' it's valves (at end of longest straight), then add one tooth to the side.  don't plan on doing any long trips, and wanted to have to touch more 'drive', hence the 17/38.  there is a 16 available, as well as 36 & 37's, so lots of possibilities.

[fastbroshi]

looks like Sprocket Specialties can supply both parts for my 530 to 520 conversion.  SS's front sprocket is shouldered like the original, but uses a c-clip instead of the Honda plate.  also decided that if I'm going to make this change, will also change ratio for better acceleration.

stock - 17/37 > 2.18   options: 17/38 > 2.24  /  16/37 > 2.31  /  16/38 > 2.38
looking at going with the 17/38 combination as it still leaves the option of changing to a 16 front later.  feel anything more will kill highway cruising rpm's

SS's #'s - rear: 520-38-245C ($34.99)/ front: 5033-17 ($12.92)

just need a new 520 chain now   anyone need a new JT 17 / 37 sprocket combination, or a 530 RK x-ring (120 links with rivet master)?

Was your front Al or steel?  Don't see an aluminum front offered on their website.

[Tintop]

so just got my package from Sprocket Specialists, not a happy camper.

1st they only sent the rear, and instead of the 34.99 price for it, was charged 59.99!   called and was told I had been given wholesale number.   did not get a reason why they did not send front.  cost me $40+ in brokerage fees from UPS. now have over $100 in a part that was suppose to cost $35 + shipping!

said they would send the front, but only by UPS.  told them I would not pay another brokerage fee, would they send USPS - answer no.  so much for customer service.

will not deal with them again.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I can't speak to the quality of their parts, but their service sucks. I've tried to order from them twice.

so just got my package from Sprocket Specialists, not a happy camper.

1st they only sent the rear, and instead of the 34.99 price for it, was charged 59.99!   called and was told I had been given wholesale number.   did not get a reason why they did not send front.  cost me $40+ in brokerage fees from UPS. now have over $100 in a part that was suppose to cost $35 + shipping!

said they would send the front, but only by UPS.  told them I would not pay another brokerage fee, would they send USPS - answer no.  so much for customer service.

will not deal with them again.

[paulages]

You can just machine a 530 front down to size. I use Sprocket Specialists for rears but their 520 fronts are narrow on the c-shaft plus use a c-clip instead of the Honda lock plate. I like a 520 front sprocket that's wider where it rides on the shaft.

A 530 o-ring will very likely be too wide and gouge into things anyway, good choice going 520  

the lock plate that is used to bolt the stock type sprocket on works great as a spacer behind the thinner sprocket specialist fronts. i got one hard anodized rear with a high tooth count, and several steel fronts from SS, which makes for a very cheap way of adjusting gearing, and quickly. without the spacer the SS sprocket was wearing into the mainshaft seal.

[Tintop]

thanks for the info paulages.  had figured that a spacer would be required, as all the 520 sprockets from SS are 8mm vs the stock 12.7.  good to know the lock ring can be used for that purpose.

looks like SS were quoting me on an XL250R sprocket (#5033), however I wanted 17T and that range only goes to 16!   there is a 503-17 for the XL250.  they are both 8mm so shimming would be required.  my problem with dealing with them is they will only ship UPS, and that costs me an extra $40 in UPS brokerage fees, for nothing.  if it is shipped USPS, I only pay shipping, and any duty / taxes.  I can get the same sprocket from JT, and they will mail, so am looking at that, along with having a proper sprocket either turned from my 530, or made new.

[Tintop]

this my last update to this post.  the final solution I'll be using for my 530 to 520 conversion is as follows:

rear - my over priced SS 38T alloy.
front & chain - 17T custom sprocket, 520 0-ring, 10K lb. 'Smart Chain', from Krause Racing / Sidewinder Sprockets http://sidewindersprockets.com/  went with this because it gives me a direct bolt-on, and the cost would have been at least the same, or more to machine my 530.  it also turned out there was no suitable 17T available from either SS or JT.

I will however keep paulages & bwallers advice regarding fitting a 16T in my back pocket, should I ever decide to change.  also would like the thank Sander for the contact info for his German supplier.  could have easily supplied it, but the added expenses were to great.

tintop