Changing chain and sprockets. Need help......

I have a 78 kz650. I installed an 82 kz650 rear wheel and hub assembly onto my 78. I'm going to put new 530 pitch sprockets and chain on the bike.

The 82 kz650 donor bike had a 13t counter sprocket with a 33t rear sprocket. I believe I will need to run a similar gear ratio on my 78, now that I have switched out the rear wheel assembly. 95% of my riding is at 55mph or more, so I'm wanting to go up one or two teeth on the counter sprocket to slow the RPM's a bit at my cruising speeds.

Anyone have any idea's on the size of 530 sprockets I will need to compare to the 630 pitch 14t or 15t counter with a 33t rear sprocket ??

13 tooth sounds really small to me, stress on the chain is increased a lot with a smaller front sprocket.

Your gear ratios remain the same whatever pitch chain you use, there are online calculators you can use. Remember these motors work more efficiently at higher rpms.

630 33/13 = 2.538
630 30/13 = 2.308 (improved highway mpgs)(I think that's about as low as you'd want to go)
530 38/15 = 2.533 (closest ratio to stock 650-CSR)
530 38/16 = 2.375 (improved highway mpgs) <<<----
530 40/17 = 2.353 (a 17T may not fit)

A 16T 530 is about the same diameter as a 13T 630 (but slightly larger).
A 17T 530 may not fit ---- one guy said it's tight; another guy showed a pic in which he couldn't get it to work.

Any suggestions on the best chain manufacturers ??

skooterbum4real wrote: Any suggestions on the best chain manufacturers ??

DID or EK

Thanks everyone for your help !!

I picked up a RK x-ring chain from Z-1 and ran reg oring RK for many years.......... Ran 16/41 for years and went back to the stock 16/42 for a little more out of the hole perf. Went on a 350 mile trip once and threw on a 17T front (41 rear) to lower the rpms..... did the trick but it really killed the acceleration......... must of fit but really can't remember how tight it was as I only did it the one time.

The 16/41 did very little maybe a 150 rpm drop and still out of the hole very good ......... maybe a 38-39 tooth rear for you ?? Could try a 17 tooth on your other 650 42T rear......to see what you think before you buy all new ??

kaw-a-holic wrote:

skooterbum4real wrote: Any suggestions on the best chain manufacturers ??

DID or EK

Both are excellent. Another very high quality chain is Tsubaki. Ed

Z1 used to have the lowest price on a really good X ring chain which was from one of the major makers, don't remember the brand. I have been running it for about 8 years now.

I've been running 16/38 (530) on my 650 for the past 10 years or so, works really well for me. Lowers the 60 mph revs significantly without sacrificing too much acceleration. With a stock swingarm the 16/38 will work with a 102 link 530 chain (stock length for the 530 650s), you just need to pull the rear wheel back a bit.

As for manufacturers I use RK chains (XW-ring) on both my bikes, have nothing bad whatsoever to say about them.

Great !! Thanks for the info guys !! I'll be getting a 16/38 530 setup, and contact Z1 about the chain, and go from there.