I just picked up a '98 and I don't want to dump a ton money into it nor do I plan on too many mods. It has a few mods already but the stock bike would have been "enjoyable enough" for me. It's in desperate need of a new chain and sprockets. I've dug around ebay but I'm not sure of the link counts and tooth counts or ratios for the 530 conversion. What did these bikes come with stock? 520 16/41? I read the original chain can be upgraded to 530 but I don't know what that does to the link count. Same or different? A steel rear sprocket is also fine by me. I'd like an o-ring chain though.

Any suggestions for a chain and sprockets package for me? Anyone here selling a good used set?

Next thing I have to do is weld the clutch cover because the other owner's JB weld is leaking and the replacement levers should be here this week. I still have a shifter to fix, mirrors, bar ends, grpis, turn signals all around, clean up the hose routing, clean everything, and then a repaint. It's a dark metalic blue now which I've grown fond of so I'll probably stick with that.

 

Stock came with a 530. 16/41 if I'm not mistaken. I would go 520, in my opinion you will not need the extra weight/strength of a 530. When I did my 520 conversion I went -1/+2.

 

Unless you want to wheelie alot stick with the stock countershaft sprocket (16T) although you may want to go 2 teeth up on the rear (43T). The chain is 104 links if I remember correctly but most chains will be 110 or 120 and you cut to fit.

 

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I personally don't care for any "store brand" chains. Do yourself a favor and spend a couple more bucks and get a name brand like RK, Regina, etc etc.

I bought a chain at Cycle Gear, their house brand that they claim to be RK made for them. Well if that's true RK left out a few processes at the end because I kept getting tiny metal slivers in my hand when installing. I suspect it's made in China and the final finishing process are minimal.

 

My bike had a cheap $54 shipped chain on it when I got it and it lasted all of about 2 weeks before it broke. Don't skimp out. I would stick with a 530 as these bikes are torque monsters and the added strength will help for longevity and will just hold up better. If you really need the lighter 520 then you can go that route but you'll need to spend more money on a better quality chain and/or be replacing it more often. I just bought the top end DID chain and it cost me over $200 for the chain and I got Sunstar steel sprockets and they were about $45 for the rear adn $27 for the front. Most 530 chains will come with a rivet style master link so you'll have to have a shop press the link for you or you'll need to buy a tool for it. If you happen to be in or near the Seattle area I have the rivet tool and would be happy to help you out with it.

 

GTS - I'm in Illinois actually. Thanks for the offer. There's a shop in town that would pop the master link in for me.

I figured if the 520 was weak, even if I get a cheap 530 it would be an improvement. If the 530 has wider links, it could cause less sprocket wear as well. I'm not sure of the link count for the stock ratios. Is the link spacing on 530 different then 520? Buy long and cut it? I've seen a few advertised as 102 links.

 

I think it's supposed to be 104 links. Or you can just put the sprockets on, adjust the tire to full slack and wrap the chain around the sprockets and see where it lies. Mark the pin for where it needs to be cut and take it to the shop to cut/rivet. The nice thing about the swingarm setup is you can actually take the whole chain off as an endless chain without removing the swingarm. Makes it kind of nice if you have to take the chain to the shop to be riveted.