AZZKIKER

Ok, my bike has 22000 miles on it and it needs a new chain bad. I have stock gearing and I am looking to change that. I am interested in the 520 chain conversion with the 15/43t. Seems like that's what everyone recommends. So my bike with stock gearing does 4500 rpms for an indicated 85 mph. How much is that gonna change, meaning how much are the rpms gonna be higher for doin an indicated 85 mph. Thanx

NoCats

Check this page out: http://www.kamware.com/vtr1000f/topspeed.htm
You'll need to know all the gear ratios and so forth. I have a service guide that has all that info in it. I can give it to you if you want. I don't know if the owner's manual has it, though. I too need a new chain and am going to change the gearing. Putting lower gears in my Mustang was the best mod I've done so far, so I figured I'd try it on my bike. I was going to do the 520 conversion, but I talked to someone @ RK tech support and he had this to say:

"Yes, the trade off by converting to a 520 set up is less mileage for less rotational mass. It’s difficult to give you precise mileage difference between a 520 set up and a 530 set up. I would say a 520 set up could range anywhere from 40% to 60% less mileage than a 530 set up depending upon conditions the chain is put through."

Being that I ride almost everyday, the 520 probably isn't worth it for me. My plan is to go with an EK530rxo chain and going +2 on the rear sprocket, while leaving the front stock. I ride on the freeway on a regular basis, so the -1 front sprocket is just too steep for my tastes. What I did with that calculator link was write down rpm's vs. speed at 80, 90, and 100 mph in 6th gear with the 16/41, 16/43, and 15/43 combos. Then I went out on the freeway and checked them out and found that I could live with the 16/43 combo. If anything, it'll be safer for me because it's so damn easy to go 100+ on this bike and the lower gearing will slow me down on the top end. Here are the numbers that I got from the calculator:

----------80 mph 90 mph 100 mph
------------------- ---------- -----------
16/41- 4500rpm 5000rpm 5600rpm
16/43- 4700rpm 5300rpm 5900rpm
15/43- 5000rpm 5700rpm 6300rpm

This included Dunlop's listing of the diameter for the 180/55 d208zr of 24.96". My speedometer is actually around 4300 rpms @ 80mph for what it's worth. I would assume that the calculator table is mathematically what the rpm/mph should be. It's probably damn close, so personally, I preface it to myself by saying "at around". Like "at around" 80mph, my rpm's will be "at around" 4500. Hope this helps. And let me know if you need the info for that calculator.

AZZKIKER

Wow, that awesome, thanx a lot for the info. Yeah, I am thinking more about the 16/43 combo now. As far as the 520 goes, If you look up some of the 520 chains, they are recommended for 1000cc bikes as well, I don't think that would be an issue. The new 520 chains on the market these days have amazing tensile strength.

Any 15/43t owners wanna comment on this?

VTRFISH

I did the 15/43 520 mod the same time I upgraded my fork springs and fork oil.

Better feel coming out of 2nd and 3rd gear turns! 8)

Plus.....it drops a ton of spinning mass.


Mike

AZZKIKER

how is your chain holding up?

W-O-T

Amazing.... I am going to get a new chain and sprockets today... seems mine is stretched to the max at 18,755 miles... this could be due to the 43 sprocket I removed to go back to the 41... I dunno... but Im in the RED.

anybody know the link count for stock 16/41?

thanks

AZZKIKER

102 I believe. Did you have a 520 chain on there?

W-O-T

I have a DID chain and have not a clue if its been swapped... but it looks big like a 530 to me...

I have to order my sprockets and chain locally.. so best bet for price would be online....

got any good links for this junk?

thanks

PS its was over $200 at my local shop...

NoCats

Check out this link from an eBay store: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA...spagenameZWDVW

That's the absolute best price I could find on a chain/sprocket combo.

W-O-T

Is it worth it to do the 520 conversion? I have not heard too many things on this.. nor have I really looked into it....

what are your thoughts? Im a 750 mile per week commuter on my SH... I need it to last.... I dont know about the aluminum sprockets and all... weight is not a BIG concern of mine at this point... longevity is...

thanks

NoCats

I'm still up in the air about the 520 conv. The thing is, that I won't know if I think it's worth it until I try it. In my experiences with lightening drivetrain parts on my car, I've always liked the results. I know they're different creatures, but the same principals as far as rotating mass have to apply. And to complicate things, like I said earlier, I'm changing the gear ratio at the same time. So I won't be able to isolate that the difference I feel is from the lighter chain, lighter sprockets, or more teeth on them. I know it'll be a combo of all of them. I'd rather not have the chain wear fast, but you figure worst case, if the 520 chain doesn't last very long, I'll just go back to the 530 set up if I don't like it. Someone said earlier that the 520 chains are pretty damn strong compared to the 530 versions of the same model. I just can't decide what to do. Here are some comparisons:

EK 520RXO (8500 lbs) vs. EK 530RXO (9400 lbs) = 90% the tensile strength

RK 520GXW (8800 lbs) vs. RK 530GXW (10000 lbs) = 88% the tensile strength

EK 520MVXZ (9000 lbs) vs. EK 530MVXZ (9300 lbs) = 96%-97% the tensile strength

All the specs come from each manufacturer's website, except for the percentages, which come from the nifty little calculator program in my computer.

102dals