chain and sprocket question

[voodoobilly]

i have to buy a new chain and it has a 530 on it now,the sprockets look in good shape and a friend said i don't need a 530 because it's a 600, he said a 520 would be perfect....any thoughts anyone. should i buy a kit or just the chain, and 530 or 520 ? thanks

[Kreylyn]

i have to buy a new chain and it has a 530 on it now,the sprockets look in good shape and a friend said i don't need a 530 because it's a 600, he said a 520 would be perfect....any thoughts anyone. should i buy a kit or just the chain, and 530 or 520 ? thanks

Entirely up to you... nothing gained either way.

Some want to say the 520 will wear the sprokets faster, yet those same people suggest replacing the sprockets everytime you change the chain anyways (so it's a moot point).

Others want to suggest going with a 520 will increase performance due to unsprung weight... but that isn't going to make that much of a difference on a Kat...

So really.... what it boils down to is... what is better priced, and has the options you want?

Krey

[voodoobilly]

awesome thanks!

[crazyaussie]

If you have a 530 set-up on it now, you will have to buy a 530 chain if replacing only the chain. A 520 chain will not fit on 530 sprockets.

[thetable]

Always replace chain and sprockets as a set. They wear into each other. Replacing only one or the other will greatly reduce the life of the new part.

520 or 530, well, 520 setup does wear faster, but unless you are putting huge miles on, (or grossly neglecting cleaning and lubing of the chain,) it probably won't make much of a difference in the end. 520 is a little lighter, so you do gain a little acceleration, but in the end, it is still a Kat and not really known for it's excessive acceleration to begin with.

[RossW]

As long as you replace chain and sprockets together (which you should) it doesn't really matter. The 520 is cheaper, won't last quite as long (especially on a heavy bike like the kat), and is slightly lighter. You're really not going to notice a difference. I went with 530 because I figured the Suzuki engineers probably knew what they were doing and I'd rather have a measurably longer chain life than an imperceptible performance increase.

[scottynoface]

The argument for the 520 chain and sprockets is mainly that it's much more popular, and hence a tiny bit cheaper. More availability, I went with 530 when I replaced mine to keep it stock.

[snoozy]

Always replace chain and sprockets as a set. They wear into each other. Replacing only one or the other will greatly reduce the life of the new part.

520 or 530, well, 520 setup does wear faster, but unless you are putting huge miles on, (or grossly neglecting cleaning and lubing of the chain,) it probably won't make much of a difference in the end. 520 is a little lighter, so you do gain a little acceleration, but in the end, it is still a Kat and not really known for it's excessive acceleration to begin with.

+1

[HS2020]

520 is lighter in weight no real reason to go with a 520 set up unless you are racing. SO IMHO no need to go to a 520 set up on a 450lb bike. Stay with the 530 set up and you will be just fine. Last time I checked I did not see a conversion for the Kat to a 520 but I could be wrong. I know in my books I have it does not list a 520 conversion part number but most of the Suzuki use the same front and rear sprockets anyway.

[88kat60009]

ok on this same note, whats the stock sprocket teeth for rear on a kat? i know front is 14 (right?)

[HS2020]

ok on this same note, whats the stock sprocket teeth for rear on a kat? i know front is 14 (right?)

Depends on if the bike is a pre98 600 or 750 or a post 98 600/750.
Pre 98 600 89-97 used a 14 tooth front and a 45 on the rear. On the pre98 750 it used a 15 tooth front and 47 tooth rear.

On the 98+ bikes they used a 15/47 on the 600 and a 15/45 on the 750.

[katitoy]

I am changing my chain and sprockets soon. Well, this week. My chain has signs of rust.

I will change both as some suggest. 530 15/47 specs... right?

Is there a good brand you recommend?

[katitoy]

I am about to change my sprockets and chain. I have a GSX 600F 1998. According to my research, it uses 15/47 sprocket, 118...530. Brand I found was Vortex (for sprockets). I have not found any brand yet for the chain.

Anyone says otherwise? Advice?

Thanks.

[Jbs00]

I just brought some for my 2000. I got sunstar sprockets(front/back) and bikemaster chain.

[stretched600]

I bought 160 link chrome EK Chain and RMA steel sprocket set (14/47)...but I do say Vortex is one of the better manufacturers!