Updated info or suggestions for 520 chain conversion??

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by OSA 06, Jun 28, 2016.

  1. OSA 06

    OSA 06 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Washington, IN
    Map
    Does anyone have any updated info on good sources and kits for a 520 chain conversion?? I'm looking to try out a lightweight conversion kit if available, although I've only found lightweight steel sprocket kits. I have tried emailing moto-heaven/thrust company, and it seems that the lights have been turned off there for awhile.... website and such not updated in years.

    So go ahead and throw suggestions out there for me. Thanks!!
     
  2. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2013
    Messages:
    3,383
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Nadeli.jpg IMGP0356.jpg IMGP0354.jpg I have the best 520 chain kit of course-I am no cheapskate like BB- only finds stuff never buys anything and Duccman-AKA Boozer-does spend on alcohol though. spins up faster and saves pounds in a very important place.:banana:
     
  3. rhoderage

    rhoderage New Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2014
    Messages:
    148
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Nova Scotia
    Map
    Sprocketcenter.com
     
  4. DriverDave

    DriverDave New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2010
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    57
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Map
  5. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2008
    Messages:
    1,727
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Alaska
    Map
    Just curious why you want to put a 520 chain on a VFR.










    .
     
  6. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2013
    Messages:
    1,339
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Same reason people drill holes into the airbox, or use dryer vent tubing to make some sort of crude cold air intake.

    Unless you're at the track looking to shave hundredths of seconds, I don't get it. For the money I'd rather have a sprocket setup that lasts 30K+ miles vs some POS that's gonna go out of round or shred teeth.

    Here's actual dyno results I stole from an article (just google it) on moving from 530 to 520

    Average horsepower and torque over three runs
    Stock: 118.2 HP/70.5 LB-FT
    520 Conversion: 119.7 HP/71.9 LB-FT

    Average time for fourth gear 25-125 MPH acceleration test **
    **Stock: 5.2 seconds
    520 Conversion: 5.15 seconds

    Stock component weights **
    **530 Chain: 4.8 pounds
    Countershaft sprocket: 0.50 pounds
    Rear sprocket: 1.8 pounds
    Total: 7.1 pounds

    RK and Vortex component weights **
    **520 Chain: 4.1 pounds
    Countershaft sprocket: 0.4 pounds
    Rear sprocket: 0.8 pounds
    Total: 5.3 pounds

    1.8 Total Pounds Saved.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2016
  7. Rsparky

    Rsparky New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2016
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Surprising that it even showed a change. It's a useless upgrade for our bike.

    Though I am intrigued about this dryer tube idea. Not for horsepower, but to keep the engine cooler here in Phoenix. I don't understand why an engineer would purposefully let the bike suck hot air from right above the engine...
     
  8. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2013
    Messages:
    1,339
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    38
    There's an easier solution, move.
     
  9. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    These machines are engineered for the masses. With that, someone somewhere will fall short of perfect performance. Considering how many of these rigs are sold world wide, I think the number sold to customers in extremely hot climates are relatively few. That's not to say I don't understand your frustration, just trying to be realistic. In a perfect world, they would engineer these bikes to prevent me from getting as wet as I do in the winter here.
     
  10. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2013
    Messages:
    1,339
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    38
    want to shave weight, go for a jog and take a dump. It's free.
     
  11. Rsparky

    Rsparky New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2016
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    18
    lol, take a scooter with the whole floorboard dealio. bike runs fine in the heat. but, knowing how huge an effect fluid density has on combustion, it'd be by far my best upgrade to magically get a ram air intake. still, not looking for 1/4 mile times or anything.

    i put a 520 on every other real sportbike i owned, and they were cool. better for handling the load of 400 lb bikes, than 500+. i'm cool with steel 530s for wear and tear now.
     
  12. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2013
    Messages:
    3,383
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    36
    the numbers don't tell the whole story-that little weight saving is really a lot- I noticed a big difference-the 520 spins up much faster then flattens out when you get going.
     
  13. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2013
    Messages:
    1,339
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    38
    no you didn't. Placebo
     
  14. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2013
    Messages:
    3,383
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    36
    that works for me-and that little loss-makes it flick a bit better too! Looks cool too and last pretty good too. too too too
     
  15. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    I have to disagree with most on 520 conversions. Sure you save a little weight (and it all adds up) the real savings is rotational mass. Research that topic to get an understanding. That is a nice plus on any bike that you flog. And as far as longevity I know for a fact that good 520's will last just as long. D.I.D. EVR3 X ring is my favorite. There are others that I have been told by guys I trust that run very well too. I went with AFAM sprockets years ago on track bikes. They have aluminum sprockets that have some kind of hard application that really lasts a long time. Almost 20k on a CBR track bike being flogged at a bunch of different tracks without a problem. I have read about some of the new light weight steel sprockets that are excellent too.
     
  16. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Orlando Florida
    Map
    lol wow what a depressing thread. For what its worth, I got a little under 30,000 miles out of my OEM chain/sprockets, then I went to a DID/Superlite 520 conversion from sprocket center. I have gotten a little over 25000 miles out of that combo twice now. I will take a smidgen of performance, for 2000 miles or so lol. I don't see what all the fuss is about lol.:vtr2:
     
  17. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    No fuss Candy, just better options when its time to spend hard earned money. :)
     
  18. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Orlando Florida
    Map
    Better?

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  19. Gator

    Gator Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    Messages:
    5,201
    Likes Received:
    811
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Map
    Rotational mass is much less and much better. Knocking off 3 lbs is good too. So yes, better.
     
  20. OSA 06

    OSA 06 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Location:
    Washington, IN
    Map
    Gator, you actually just covered the main thought that I had with the chain being lighter and reducing rotational mass. I was guessing with a good quality smaller chain, that this would be comparable or possibly a bit better on wear/reliability.

    I come from a family that races, restores, and modifies about anything and everything in the garage... So while I'm not looking to build a track bike or looking for insane performance increases, since I need a chain/sprocket replacement anyways, why not upgrade for a tiny bit of performance and uniqueness, and shed a few pounds in the process.... particularly weight in the driveline.

    Even though it's a totally different ballgame, I know what shedding 15-20 lbs out of the powertrain/driveline can do in a 450 HP, 3,400 lb dirt track car... most definitely a change in it that you can feel and even hear!!

    Thanks everyone for the input and opinions!!
     
Related Topics

Share This Page