Chain questions

Horsmann · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:40 am Post subject: Chain questions

My 74 GT250 takes a 525/98 chain, as far as I can tell.
Finding such a beast is proving difficult.
Two questions:
1. May I use a 520 chain without harming the bike/sprockets? Any advantage or disadvantage to doing so?
2. I can find a 525 size chain longer than 98 links. How difficult is it to remove links and will I damage the chain in the process?

Many thanks, yet again.

Horsmann

jayel · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Chain questions

MNellis · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:41 am Post subject:

It's a whole lot easier if you have a chain breaking tool but they can get expensive for a good one. Check out eBay for some deals or get one from MotionPro.com

As a point of reference, I think the Yamaha YZF1000 and maybe the earlier FZR1000's used a 525 chain so it shouldn't be hard to find links and stuff. Just about any chain you buy will have to be shortened or lengthend to fit your application.

undertheradar · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:31 pm Post subject:

I got my chainbreaker from my local Harbor Freight for something like $16. Works great.

Horsmann · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject:

Gentlemen:
Thanks for your replies. I think I'll be able to get this working.

Horsmann

Horsmann · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 6:24 pm Post subject:

The theory about all of this is still poking at me: somewhere I've read that a 520 chain can be substituted for a 525, but that the latter is more stout.
Anyone have expertise on chain building and interchangeability? Obviously, the pitch and size etc matters beyond some point; what exactly is that point?

MNellis · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:25 pm Post subject:

Certainly a 520 can be substituted but you'll have to change the front and rear sprocket. In the racing world we change out the 530's on even the large GSXR1K's and other liter bikes for 520's. There is a weight saving over the 530's and when you're talking about rotating mass on a race bike it makes a difference since every little bit helps. Keep in mind that on the race bikes we install new chains every season (well, at least I and those that I know do). Failures have been known to happen but it's rare.

If you can find sprockets, a 520 shouldn't be a problem. I don't think you could install a 520 chain on 525 sprockets and expect success.

jayel · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

yep 520 chain won't fit the 525 sprockets

400 series chain, that is 4 X 1/8" which equals 1/2" pitch chain(length between pins).
500 series chain, that is 5 X 1/8" which equals 5/8" pitch chain(length between pins).
600 series chain, that is 6 X 1/8" which equals 3/4" pitch chain(length between pins).

The second two digits refer to the width of the chain.

420 chain has a width of 2.0 X 1/8" = 1/4"
520 chain has a width of 2.0 X 1/8" = 1/4"
525 chain has a width of 2.5 X 1/8" = 5/16"
630 chain has a width of 3.0 X 1/8" - 3/8"

Russell · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:37 pm Post subject:

Wasn't part of the original question asking if a 520 chain can go on sprockets that had carried 525 previously?
Isn't it true that a 525 or 530 chain can run okay on 520 sprockets but that a 525 sprocket would be too wide to take 520 chain?
On my DR650 that had 530 from stock I had a collection of 520 fronts that I used for gearing changes, and just kept on using the stock 530 chain. There was a little more noise from the front sprocket but that could be because the stock 530 had a damping device fitted. Otherwise no apparent ill effects.Still had the correct width rear however.

If I was going to the trouble of replacing a chain I'd go further and source matching new sprockets.A GT or T250 Suzuki certainly isn't going to trouble a quality new 520 chain!

Horsmann · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:02 pm Post subject:

I'm getting it. Thanks. I'll stick with my 525, buy a longer than I need chain and reduce it.
One catalog I looked at said my bike has 98 links; another site says 96. I'll count 'em when I get the chain off, but surely there's a consistent source out there for how many links a gt250 takes? Anyone know?

dorT500 · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject:

Russell · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

Don't be insulted if I'm commenting on the obvious...but the length of stock chain on your GT is only of any help if you are certain you still have stock sprockets fitted.

Horsmann · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:57 am Post subject:

Everything except the new brake master cylinder and my home made air filter is stock. And I'm trying to avoid spending much money, since I have none to spare for this.
So yes, the sprockets are stock. The bike has only 3050 miles on it and has sat for a decade or more. It's in terrific condition despite its benign neglect.
So I'll hunt for a 525 chain on line, count the original, then count again to make sure before I do any slicing or dicing.
I'm grateful for this site, unfortunately not able to offer much help, but thankful for all the help offered so willingly.
And don't worry about offending me: this is all new territory and I've much to learn.

Russell · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:04 am Post subject:

Sounds like a great find. I did around 40,000 miles over 2 years on a couple of T350's back in the day. Simply a 315 cc cylindered version of the earlier 250. Great bike with exceptional handling-for their time of course.

Horsmann · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject:

I started this thread, and now I'm w-a-a-y off topic: wondering if you could comment on how your 350 2-stroke rode. When I say I'm fixing up a 74 2-stroke, everyone shakes their head at me in a less than complimentary way. Vibrations? they ask. Handling? More than 20 minutes before you're so uncomfortable you want to walk?
what can you tell me? Intend to ride the bejeebers out of this thing and have a two day trip to Montana laid on at the end of June. Am I crazy the way modern bike owners seem to think?