520 Chain & Sprocket Help

[anthony412]

Hi all,
First time poster here. Let me start off by saying I searched EVERYTHING and was unable to get a clear answer.

I just purchased an '81 that I'd like to build up. To my untrained eye, the chain looks old and I'd like to change it. I read its best to change the sprockets at the same time as well so I plan to.

That leads me to my thought that I'd go a 520 chain setup for the obvious benefits. However, the 520 sprockets sold on MikesXS say they require a shim or spacer. This may be a noob question but where I acquire such a spacer? From my reading on the forums, it needs to be 1/8inch. Does a simple washer work?

Does anyone know where else I could get the sprockets I need? MikesXS, from what I've read does not have the best customer service.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[crazyorigin]

I made some spacers up for my 520 conversion. I was gonna sell a set but wanted to test them out first. I have about 250 miles so far and no issues. It's a spacer for the front counter shaft and the rear bolts , I am running mine spaced out to the outside for more tire clearance, which I don't need, but wanted to test them out that way. They are precision made washers and within .001" of each other in thickness. I think I only have one or 2 spare sets, let's say $25 shipped. They are stainless steel BTW.

 

[fredintoon]

- - - I'd go a 520 chain setup for the obvious benefits. - - -

Hi anthony and welcome,
what obvious benefits? A 520 set-up costs 7/8 as much but only lasts 3/4 as long so you lose out financially from the get-go plus you get your hands dirty more often.
The weight saving can be got by wearing a lighter jacket.
I'd say:-
You are right, sprockets and chain should be installed as a unit for maximum life.
Stay with #530.
Use an o-ring or x-ring chain.
If you plan on changing the sprocket tooth count do NOT use an 18T sprocket, there ain't enough chain clearance. 17/32 will give eff nigh the same ratio as 18/33 anyway.
ScottOilers really are worth using.

 

[CDNTX650]

sorry fred, your wrong, a modern 520 oring or xring will last just as long as any 530. with proper care. I got a ton of miles out of a 520 set on my ducati 999....140HP.. im sure he will be fine. My next set will be a 520 too. Almost all new bikes use 525 or 520. and they last. very well.

 

[terry b]

Why go to a smaller chain? Is it for less drag and h.p. loss?

 

[CDNTX650]

Pretty much. Minimal. But chain techngy has changed so much since the 70s. My gpz1000 had a 630...630!!!! A 520 will easily handle that now.

 

[terry b]

Cool learn something new on here all the time.

 

[crazyorigin]

If you were to ask anyone who has a performance oriented mind if they would like to knock 2 lbs out of the rotating assembly on their bike, without compromising strength, none would say no. So why again, is a 520 chain conversion a bad idea?

 

[jd750ace]

Who ever told you a 104 link 520 chain was 2 pounds lighter than a 530? Or are you counting sprockets, and at that, a FAR less durable aluminum rear?
520 kits for my SV cost just as much as the 525, but for some reason I can't see an aluminum sprocket doing 22K of manic commuting duty. I know several folks that went 520 and came back because in the end, it cost them more and they gained shit. You have a simple motorcycle. Keep it simple and functional. Less parts is always a gain. Empty your bowels and your spockets before you ride and you'll gain all a 520 chain has to offer these mediocre powered old bikes.

 

[crazyorigin]

Since they are underpowered, why not help these old motors any way you can? I haven't personally weighed the 2 but I would believe a 2 lb difference to be a realistic number. Both sprockets are 1/8 of an inch thinner as well as the chain itself. My rear sprocket is steel. I don't see the strength of the 530 chain argument over the 520, I have seen machines with way more power and traction than an xs650 will ever hope to have run just fine, and for a long time on a 520 chain, even in off road applications which are far more grueling than street riding.

What if I don't have to go #2? 2lbs of rotating mass in your drivetrain is worth way more than 2 lbs lost from your person or chassis.

If everyone kept it simple, this forum would be really, really boring.

Plus, unless your the "leave it stock cause it was engineered for a purpose" type, sometimes it's just nice to change out parts for something different. Stock is boring to me, I think tink things came a certain 2 a from the factory so I could be disapointed and swap out parts for stuff I like.

 

[jd750ace]

Nothing wrong with losing rotating mass, but when you start having to shim things to re-align your powertrain, I think any gain is offset by adding parts and complexity that introduces another avenue for potential discrepancies, such as variances in shim thickness, more parts to keep up with, more parts to potentially break, corrode, wear out, etc., then you have to look at sourcing replacements that may be harder to find than lots of OEM stuff. I'm just saying, there is no realistic gain to the average XS from a 520 chain.

For the Original poster, http://www.650central.com/ for an alternative source that describes the difference between their products. I'd recommend you buy ANYTHING they carry from them before I would buy it from Mike's or a E-chopper boutique.

 

[CDNTX650]

I really hate the misinformation more than anything. Like a 40hp bike will wear out a 520....its not 1970 anymore. Do not buy aluminum sprockets. Man do they wear faaaast.

 

[blue900]

My current chain setup is a 520 xring chain from 650central running 18x33 sprockets from the same.
no shim needed on the front sprocket.
I installed May 2013 as of today Im at just under 8000 miles on this setup
I have not had to adjust the tension all summer, its holding up well.
I Lube it every week of riding with belray chain lube 250-300miles.
This is my 2nd 520 chain setup.
I spent more for the Xring chain this time and I am really happy with it.

 

[fredintoon]

sorry fred, your wrong, a modern 520 oring or xring will last just as long as any 530. - - -

Hi CDN,
I never said a modern 520 chain wouldn't do the job.
What I maintain is that a 530 chain will last longer because it has more contact area.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Dyno test, 520 vs 530, a fun read:

http://www.superstreetbike.com/how-to/does-520-chain-conversion-increase-horsepower-mythbusters

 

[jd750ace]

Wow! Less than 2% of change? Sign me up! Extrapolated downhill in the crudest of math in the head, that's under 1/2 hp gain on your XS. Accurate jetting can beat that. Not that peak power is the only point of gain, but still, if it's a racing mule, fine. If not, why bother? The most intelligent argument might be for some increased clearance on the pushrod up front and getting a scoshe more clearance on the rear tire for us Special riders. Choose your rear tire wisely and you can save more than the 1.8 pounds, although the heavier high shouldered tires tend to not fit the Swingarm well on our bikes, so you are somewhat pushed toward the lighter variety of tires anyway.

 

[anthony412]

Wow, didn't mean to set off a firestorm of debate! Thanks for the info everyone..the research continues! I'd like to go 520 and if the sprockets at www.650central.com work without a shim or spacer then that's perfect! Has anyone tried their conversion kit?
However, if they do, I'll probably just go 530.

 

[anthony412]

Wow! Less than 2% of change? Sign me up! Extrapolated downhill in the crudest of math in the head, that's under 1/2 hp gain on your XS. Accurate jetting can beat that. Not that peak power is the only point of gain, but still, if it's a racing mule, fine. If not, why bother? The most intelligent argument might be for some increased clearance on the pushrod up front and getting a scoshe more clearance on the rear tire for us Special riders. Choose your rear tire wisely and you can save more than the 1.8 pounds, although the heavier high shouldered tires tend to not fit the Swingarm well on our bikes, so you are somewhat pushed toward the lighter variety of tires anyway.

Very good point!

 

[XStretchified650]

I am using a D.I.D 520 XRing chain and a countershaft sprocket with a machined shoulder that offsets the teeth to line up with the rear sprocket. I am pretty sure that I got it from Sprocket Specialists in 2012. No shims necessary.

I ordered it by phone and while it was out of stock right then they were scheduled to make another batch because it was normally a stock item. I don't see it on their website now but when I called them in 2012 they new exactly which sprocket would fit.

I went with the 520 setup for two reasons. I had to gain clearance for the shocks I am using...and, I have a 4" stretch in the swingarm which adds 8" of chain mass. I read the various opinions on the 520 versus 530 threads. I decided that the 520 conversion is an improvement....not a compromise. Just use quality materials.

XStretchified

 

[crazyorigin]

There is a bunch of threads here on 520 vs 530, they are all the same. Some people say "why not do it if you want to" and the others who say "your nuts for not leaving it stock, stock is great, don't ever change anything ever because, just because I say so".

In the end, if you want to do a 520 conversion, and don't mind paying a little more to do it, go right ahead and do it, the gains may be marginal but they are still gains. Many people pay big bucks for a 2% increase in power, if you add that onto a bunch of other mods to gain you a few % it starts to add up, no one can deny that.