Author Topic: Quick chain question... (Read 4616 times)

GooseMan · « **on:** August 13, 2007, 05:23:37 PM »

I think it may be time to get a new chain/sprockets for my bike. I found that JT Sprockets makes both front and rear sprockets for the B4, so thats not a problem. Seem to be pretty cheap too, at around $40 for both!

As for the chain, I've been looking online, and the only 525 chain I come across is an RK Chain from Malaysia. Price is $24 for 114 link. Does that seem right to you? All other chains I see are like $100+!

Would I be safe with this one, or should I step up to a DID 525 chain at $130 or whatever...

I did a search, and surprisingly cant find anything on the subject.

Banditmax · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:35:06 PM »

Your better off going with an o-ring chain. LAsts lots longer.

Forde · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:35:52 PM »

definitely go with the did 525v

its a good chain, and is the factory reccomended chain for our bike.

r_outsider · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 10:00:49 PM »

Paying extra for a quality O or X ring chain is definitely a worthwhile investment. They're far cheaper in the long run, in my experience. Skimp in other places. As for sprockets, believe it or not the cheap steel ones usually last longer than the expensive aluminum ones, although nothing beats stainless.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2007, 11:32:47 PM »

(warning, your friendly neighborhood admin is talking $hit again....) If you're going to replace all 3 peices, why not do a 520 conversion? With <60hp, durability shouldn't really be an issue and reducing rotational mass should put more ponies to the wheel, right? I'm just asking!

GooseMan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2007, 11:36:07 PM »

I dunno! Why dont I do a 520 conversion? I dont really know much about chains/sprockets, so I'm not sure what benefits I'd get out of it. If you guys are saying its better, and if its the same price, then I'd go for it. But if its a lot more $$$ then I dont see the point.

But yeah, I'm planning on going with steel sprockets, rather than aluminum.

turbofb · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2007, 12:11:07 AM »

I did mine a while back,along with a bump down in the ratio to make 1st gear more usable.I added one tooth up front and lost one in the back for a ratio change from 14-47 (3.35), to 15-46 (3.06).
The bike it now a pleasure to ride around town,I dont find myself skipping 1st gear for sake of less shifting.RPMs on the highway are more resonable now too,and there isnt any appreciable loss of acceleration.

I got everything from Sum of All Parts, via EBAY.

525 RK X-ring gold chain
Vortex 46 tooth rear aluminum sproket
Steel 15 tooth front sproket

r_outsider · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2007, 02:50:56 AM »

Quote from: "GooseMan"

I dunno! Why dont I do a 520 conversion? I dont really know much about chains/sprockets, so I'm not sure what benefits I'd get out of it. If you guys are saying its better, and if its the same price, then I'd go for it. But if its a lot more $$$ then I dont see the point.

But yeah, I'm planning on going with steel sprockets, rather than aluminum.

Should be a fair bit cheaper. 520 is smaller and lighter, so it's easier for the motor to get it spinning. I've seen it done to plenty of 600's(not sure about the wisdom of it on those), it should work great on a b4!

PitterB4 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2007, 06:04:26 AM »

I put a 520 on my B4 but very near the end of my ownership of it. I only put maybe a thousand miles on it that way so I don't know what kind of durability it has.

Herr Tod · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2007, 01:29:07 PM »

Where did you order the sprockets? I'm using 520 too because of the RGV rear wheel.

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2007, 01:46:19 PM »

I see no reason not to do a 520 coversion on a B4... especially considering DID rates their 520 & 525 ZVM2 and VM/VM2 series 525 & 520 chains so close to each other in strength.

FWIW - Motorcyclist put a 520 conversion on their long-term GSXR1000 test bike... while they did it for less weight and even quicker acceleration and plan on using it for a lot of track days, it's probably not the wisest thing to do on THAT bike if you're looking for long chain life.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:48:52 PM »

I bought mine as a package from another B4 owner. I'm not sure of it's origins. For the rear, IIRC, anything made for the SV will work which gives you lots and lots of options.

gsxr400 racer · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2007, 05:28:43 PM »

front i believe is rgv 250

turbofb · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2007, 12:39:56 AM »

Ive ran an RK 520 XW O-ring chain on my FZR1000 for several years now with no issues.You have to get the premium chain for the high power bikes,600's and down dont require it.I put down 130HP at the wheel a while back when I had the carbs tuned/synched.
The B4 will probably never stress the medium duty,X-ring RK 525 chain I have now.

Herr Tod · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2007, 12:34:33 PM »

I'm going back to 525. My dealer found a 525 rear sprocket that fits the RGV 250 rear wheel. The 520 chain didn't last very long...