520 Chain conversion

OK, Bubba Zanetti knows some of you have done this mod.

Please provide this scag with your opinion on it!

I'm going to need a new chain soon and Sum of all Parts (a.k.a Scum of all parts) seems to run a decent deal on the kit or did you order parts separatly and do the conversion that way???

Thanks

BZ

 

I'm in the middle of that conversion myself. Got the sprockets separately off ebay for a sweet price and just need the chain. I've heard both good and bad things about Sumofallparts so I've been leery of dealing with them.

 

Yeah, I thought about buying everthing separetly too, but cost is the issue.

Also, how much of a change does this mod make?

Thanks Rev! Keep me posted if possible.

BZ

 

I'll probably draw a lot of fire for posting this but a 520 chain on a 500 lb vehicle with 100 HP is going to be toast in about 1000 miles. We used 520s on 600 SuperSport bikes at the track for less rotating mass to get that "little bit extra" but a 520 would not last beyond two weekends.

 

I don't think 520 will last as long as long as the 530.

 

Thanks for the smart answers ya bunch of bastids!

I'm NOT looking for extra speed.

I'm upgrading my rear shock this winter and my chain is starting to go too. So, sum of all parts on fleabay sells the kit cheap.

So for those of you who have done it, does it throw your speedo off that much and did it last????

BZ

 

will not affect speedometer if the sprockets are stock number of teeth.

 

Thanks flameface.

I'm just a cheap bastage and have thought if it works, then coolio!

Come on VFRW! Let the opinions flow!!!

BZ

 

Hey BZ, As long as you use the same tooth then there no change to your speed or torque. The 520 is thinner and lighter and this will not last as long as the 530. Also it is depend on how you ride. If you only ride 15 mph to 35 mph this can last until you 65....
But if you ride like Joey_Dude I don't think this will last for month........lol

 

Here is a thread from my conversion.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/first-se.../10541-520-conversion-86vfr750-installed.html

 

I use my VFR for sport touring and take a trip every summer, I road down to the Blue Ridge Parkway in July and road north to Front Royal; it was a 3,000 mile trip. I want a 530 chain for that kind of duty. If you are a committed sport rider and are really into lightening your bike (a good thing to do) then OK it makes sense. But if you are a committed sport rider shouldn’t you be on a CBR? I do not think the gain justifies the cost and I do not think you will notice any difference except more frequent chain adjustments. Just get a new set of sprockets and a D.I.D Gold chain and call it good.

Last July's trip:

 

I second Jimtt's input. If it was a lightweight racing bike in a competitive class and every little bit helped, sure. For a heavy daily rider, go for reliability. You could probably just leave out about 1/2 gallon of fuel and realize the same weight savings, if not more. I have no idea how much more horsepower the larger chain consumes, but again, it's a street bike.

 

I did the 520 (from an original 525) conversion on the 89 Hawk. I ordered the kit from SOAP. I had zero issues with them. I spoke to them over the phone & would not hesitate to use them again. If others had issues, I believe them, but I had no such misfortune.

As far as the 520 on the VFR, I wouldn't do it for no other reason than the 520 is only about $20 cheaper than the 530. As we have all discussed over many, many threads, the VFR is not about performance. The minimal gains to be had by running the 520 are far out weighed by the lower life span of the chain.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

There are quality ti, x and o-ring 520 chains available that are within 10% of the tensile strength of 530 chains. Although I'll probably get slandered to within an inch of my life, there is an advantage in having lower rotating mass, and it isn't only in accelleration.

 

NCB, you are absolutey correct. There is an advantage to be had by reducing rotating mass. I just don't think the (just guessing here) 2lbs you might save by running the 520 on a 465lb bike are going to make a difference. On my Hawk, it only made a difference because I significantly changed the gear ratio.

lane: :usa2:

 

Tell me more NCB!

Do you know anything about the RK520XSO chain?

BZ

 

I do appreciate everyones responses. Something like this is hard because most of us are pretty 'practical' peoples. We have a VFR becasue it does everything well. The thing is my riding habits have changed alot these past couple years. I have been introduced to track days and when I street ride my rides are much shorter due to family and other obligations.

I know the VFR is not a wicked track weapon, but I can tell you its more than capable on the track and its fun as hell too! Right now I can't justify the purchase of a track bike so the VFR has to pull double duty. The 520 conversion interested me becasue of what it offers on mid-range pull, which the VFR has, and its price. But if I can't get at least 20,000 miles off the conversion, then it ain't worth it IMO.

But these are the reason I am interested.

BZ

 

I believe that RVFR had one fail fairly early on in life, and I just had one die (SV650, 525) with less than 7000 miles on it. I'm pretty good at staying on top of lube, adjustment and cleaning, so I have no idea what could have happened. I did buy an identical replacement, and this time I'll send in the warranty card.

The customer service rep at RK told me that they had made some "improvements" in the XSO line, but was not specific as to what was changed. Time will tell...

 

20,000 mostly track day miles? You're on your own on this one. My expectation of chain life is 15k, and that's with a 530. Sorry, BZ.