520 Setup Q (yes I read the sticky)

[the_finch]

Well, the trusty stock 530 chain and sprocket setup is starting to go (popping pretty badly). It definitely has seen its better days, as it just broke 22,000 miles. Im gonna go with a 520 conversion, DID X-ring chain, and Vortex sprockets. I was looking at a 14f-47r sprocket setup, but I started reading about going with the bigger front sprocket for increased chain life. The alternate setups would be 15f-50r, and 16f-54r. All have approximately the same ratio, and would increase the accelleration about the same, but I wondered if it was worth it to go with the larger sprockets or stick with the tried and true 14-47 setup. Opinions?

[megaloxana]

You're gonna have people who argue both sides very strongly. I went with the 14/47 and I don't notice any wear. I've only put about 3k miles on them though. In my opinion, as long as you properly lubricate and adjust the tension accordingly then you shouldn't have any problems.

[billy_awesome]

I've never heard of increasing a front sprocket size to extend life. The front sprocket is steel anyways, so really it's build to last, your rear aluminum sprocket is going to wear down way faster no matter what size you run.

The Vortex sprockets are great I have no complaints yet after 1 season.

As stated above me, buy yourself some lube and youtube how to properly lube a motorcycle chain. best of luck

[yamaha_george]

I've never heard of increasing a front sprocket size to extend life. The front sprocket is steel anyways, so really it's build to last, your rear aluminum sprocket is going to wear down way faster no matter what size you run.

The Vortex sprockets are great I have no complaints yet after 1 season.

As stated above me, buy yourself some lube and youtube how to properly lube a motorcycle chain. best of luck

Guys,
lets get back to basic physics if the bike was designed to handle say 85BHP thro 17 teeth it is easy to see that the load per tooth will be approx (since only the front of the bikes front sprocket handle the chain at any given moment) 10BHP per tooth.

If you reduce the front to 14 teeth that 85BHP is now spread over 7 teeth which gives a load per tooth of 12BHP .
Now all this is an example but if the load has gone up by 2HP per tooth then it is 20% higher load per tooth over the original set up.


Logically this will wear the teeth 20% faster than the original.

I rest my case Nerd

[manveru]

I've never heard of increasing a front sprocket size to extend life. The front sprocket is steel anyways, so really it's build to last, your rear aluminum sprocket is going to wear down way faster no matter what size you run.

The Vortex sprockets are great I have no complaints yet after 1 season.

As stated above me, buy yourself some lube and youtube how to properly lube a motorcycle chain. best of luck

Guys,
lets get back to basic physics if the bike was designed to handle say 85BHP thro 17 teeth it is easy to see that the load per tooth will be approx (since only the front of the bikes front sprocket handle the chain at any given moment) 10BHP per tooth.

If you reduce the front to 14 teeth that 85BHP is now spread over 7 teeth which gives a load per tooth of 12BHP .
Now all this is an example but if the load has gone up by 2HP per tooth then it is 20% higher load per tooth over the original set up.


Logically this will wear the teeth 20% faster than the original.

I rest my case Nerd

your adding stress not wear. I doubt that the sprocket material is at the edge of its capabilities, and adding a bit more stress won't really make a difference. The sprocket will turn more times than normal which will increase the wear factor.

However i always thought that the main problem with a smaller front sprocket was that the chain would wear out faster due to the increased angle of it going around a smaller circumference. but i'm probably dead wrong on everything

[the_finch]

I've never heard of increasing a front sprocket size to extend life. The front sprocket is steel anyways, so really it's build to last, your rear aluminum sprocket is going to wear down way faster no matter what size you run.

The Vortex sprockets are great I have no complaints yet after 1 season.

As stated above me, buy yourself some lube and youtube how to properly lube a motorcycle chain. best of luck

Guys,
lets get back to basic physics if the bike was designed to handle say 85BHP thro 17 teeth it is easy to see that the load per tooth will be approx (since only the front of the bikes front sprocket handle the chain at any given moment) 10BHP per tooth.

If you reduce the front to 14 teeth that 85BHP is now spread over 7 teeth which gives a load per tooth of 12BHP .
Now all this is an example but if the load has gone up by 2HP per tooth then it is 20% higher load per tooth over the original set up.


Logically this will wear the teeth 20% faster than the original.

I rest my case Nerd

Actually George, it was your post I was reading (I just can't remember where) about the increased wear, though the first thing that came to mind was the chain wearing out first due to the increased pivot angle (is that the proper term?) between each link, much like the increased wear on universal joints in a car that has more extreme driveshaft angles. The increased stress on each tooth makes sense logically as well. So in theory, a 15f-50r or 15f-51r setup would change the chain ratio like a 14/47 kit, but be as reliable as the factory setup (which probably was made of less durable materials)?

[thatkid]

I run a 15/50 and love it. Bike had a 14/47 before. Honestly I can't tell a difference. Mainly I went with it because of the less chain wear argument. It makes sense and the ratio is a difference of .03. That is not going to be noticeable so why not go larger personally?

[the_finch]

I run a 15/50 and love it. Bike had a 14/47 before. Honestly I can't tell a difference. Mainly I went with it because of the less chain wear argument. It makes sense and the ratio is a difference of .03. That is not going to be noticeable so why not go larger personally?

That's what I was thinking. The sprockets are the same price, and the only concern is if the 120 link DID chain will wrap all the way around the setup.... any experience in that department?

[thatkid]

yup. You still have to break a few links out. It will be tight on the initial setup in order to get one link shorter which will allow more adjustment later so have someone there to help.

[the_finch]

Well, I just spent the weekend installing the new Sprocket Specialists' 15f/50r 520 conersion sprocket set, and tomorrow I'll load it on the trailer to take to the shop to have the chain riveted. I went ahead and replaced the front axle and wheel bearings while I was at it, and I'll be doing some brake work while it's down for these next couple of rainy days. I just can't wait to try out the new gearing!

[sweekster]

Well, I just spent the weekend installing the new Sprocket Specialists' 15f/50r 520 conersion sprocket set, and tomorrow I'll load it on the trailer to take to the shop to have the chain riveted. I went ahead and replaced the front axle and wheel bearings while I was at it, and I'll be doing some brake work while it's down for these next couple of rainy days. I just can't wait to try out the new gearing!

You're going to HAVE it riveted? You can do that yourself. Took me longer to clean up the oily mess from the old chain and my back wheel and tire than it did to actually put on the chain and sprockets. Click the link

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=784

[YAM93]

I prefer the 14-47, but doubt it's much different than TK's set-up as far as performance. As far as wear, I haven't noticed anything abnormal. I hear if you go to a 13 tooth front that's when trouble can start.

Rock on.

[cad600]

Becareful about where you buy the sprocket from. The companies that supply them are all equally good and bad at times. I've got a rear sprocket on order from Vortex for my project. I'm going with a 520 chain so Vortex was almost the only company I can buy from. They make all the sprocket to order for the most part and it doesn't take them long to do at all. But only buy a standard sprocket. I went ahead and ordered mine with the new F5 coating they offer which is supose to increase the life of the sprocket. Big mistake as I've been waiting sine April 28th to get it and their customer service is horrible. Basically, I'm call them in an hour and someone is not going to be able to sit down when I get finished chewing them out. Then again, it seams like all the places are not offering good customer service any more.

[the_finch]

Well, I just spent the weekend installing the new Sprocket Specialists' 15f/50r 520 conersion sprocket set, and tomorrow I'll load it on the trailer to take to the shop to have the chain riveted. I went ahead and replaced the front axle and wheel bearings while I was at it, and I'll be doing some brake work while it's down for these next couple of rainy days. I just can't wait to try out the new gearing!

You're going to HAVE it riveted? You can do that yourself. Took me longer to clean up the oily mess from the old chain and my back wheel and tire than it did to actually put on the chain and sprockets. Click the link

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=784

Thanks for the link. I was under the impression Motion Pro was the only company making the riveting tools, and at $100+ each, vs $30 to have the shop do it, I was gonna go with the shop. Now I have MORE tools on the way (like I need any more) and hopefully I'll have the whole thing done by this weekend. The best thing is now I'll know who did the work and that it was done properly.

[sweekster]

Thanks for the link. I was under the impression Motion Pro was the only company making the riveting tools, and at $100+ each, vs $30 to have the shop do it, I was gonna go with the shop. Now I have MORE tools on the way (like I need any more) and hopefully I'll have the whole thing done by this weekend. The best thing is now I'll know who did the work and that it was done properly.

Glad it helped out. Funny thing is I also have the Motion Pro one but misplace the riveter attachment and that's led me to finding this one. But hey, you can never have too many tools.