525 to 520

[scduc]

Whats all involved with this conversion? is it simple swap front and rear sprocket and chain, or is there shiming to get alignment proper? I've got 10k+ on stockers and figure that if I replace the chain, might as well replace the sprockets. And I might as well replace the cush drives as well.

[monsta]

why do you want to do that? the 525 is a stronger chain..
10k miles on a chain isn't a lot, is it knackered?

[He Man]

why do you want to do that? the 525 is a stronger chain..
10k miles on a chain isn't a lot, is it knackered?

+1, a smaller chain will wear faster. Unless ur racing the bike where every ounce matters, a 525 would last longer if you take care of it. If you let it rust then 520 is cheaper overall and ud replace it sooner than later anyway.

[caperix]

I have to disagree with the other posters, a good 520 chain is stronger than the factory 525 on your bike.  I don't think the wieght difference is very much between the 2 chains, but a little bit per link over 100 + links does add up.

[He Man]

But hes replacing the chain isnt he? A good 525 chain is better than a good 520 chain. You dont get more tensile strength with a 525, you just spread the load over a larger surface. Or atleast thats what i remember reading i could be way off.

[ducpainter]

But hes replacing the chain isnt he? A good 525 chain is better than a good 520 chain. You dont get more tensile strength with a 525, you just spread the load over a larger surface. Or atleast thats what i remember reading i could be way off.

You are not off.

[DarkStaR]

Whats all involved with this conversion? is it simple swap front and rear sprocket and chain, or is there shiming to get alignment proper? I've got 10k+ on stockers and figure that if I replace the chain, might as well replace the sprockets. And I might as well replace the cush drives as well.

I'd run a good 520 with steel sprockets on a 2v 1k with out thinking twice, but that's me.  It "should" all line up as normal after...should

[junior varsity]

I have to disagree with the other posters, a good 520 chain is stronger than the factory 525 on your bike.  I don't think the wieght difference is very much between the 2 chains, but a little bit per link over 100 + links does add up.

520 conversion is pretty common - its a lighter chain and the "good ones", like an ERV3 are strong as heck. I've run the 520 setup on my bike for more than 12k miles with no issues.  I'm more likely to change for gearing reasons than for wear reasons.

the conversion is easy: Front Sprocket in 520, Rear Sprocket in 520, Chain in 520. Pick odd number sprockets for longest life - you can run a 15T front sprocket, and go up 2-3 teeth on the rear sprocket to make it like a stock setup with a 14T front sprocket. Its like bacon for your bike.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Pick odd number sprockets for longest life

  Could you explain that? Or just link to an explanation, that's the first time I've heard of it, thanks!

[battlecry]

If you have your sprockets picked as whole multiple ratios, like say 14/42 or 15/45, a bad link will periodically hit the same sprocket location.    A sprocket ratio like 15/46 would even out the wear.

[The Mad King Pepe']

If you have your sprockets picked as whole multiple ratios, like say 14/42 or 15/45, a bad link will periodically hit the same sprocket location.    A sprocket ratio like 15/46 would even out the wear.

Thanks, that makes sense! I thought he meant that 15/39 or 15/41 were better than 14/40 or 14/42 (numbers just to illustrate the example), and I was somewhat confused (not unusual  ).

[Speeddog]

Odd number teeth sprockets will have the wear from the chain sideplates spread over all of the teeth, instead of just half the teeth.

Also, they tend to not suffer from odd vibration.

[junior varsity]

what Speed said

[ducatiz]

I can see replacing a 530 with a 520, that's what I did on my Alazzurra with 650cc, but moving from a 525 to 520 on a 800-900+cc engine.. I can't see the advantage.

[battlecry]

My 800 has a 520 and is close in hp to the 900.  EK rates their 520 SuperSport chains to 100hp, 525 to 130hp.  What's that old saying, "Lighter, Faster, Cheaper"?   Get all three with a 520, IMHO.