Thread: Whats the risk of a 520 chain on a big bore bike?

I wouldn't hesitate. I've ran one for years on mine. With proper maintenence and cleaning you can get "close" to the same mileage out of one too.

My 1KRR is track only right now and I've had the same set up for 2 years with minimal wear.

I break and press all my own chains too.

I've heard (mind you, I've just heard), but its been my experience that the contemporary 520 chains are more than adequate for liter bikes. I assume that this chain is for your CBR which with its power and torque it might be different. Even still, I'd wager that a 520 should be adequate.

As for the Au sprocket, I don't know ... I'd go with a renthal or some sort of lightened steel unit. Au can be great, although without proper care, that can go pretty fast.

There, you have my unofficial, based on nothing but hearsay and personal experience advice.

Go with a steel rear sprocket if mileage is important. Otherwise, just keep a good eye on it.

Almost Catastrophic Failure


Cal-Sportbike website lists ~4-8k miles. Less if you race, more if you ride like Sheep.

Originally Posted by seamus

Go with a steel rear sprocket if mileage is important. Otherwise, just keep a good eye on it.

Almost Catastrophic Failure

Mileage is not important. I want to strip my new 530 stuff off and switch to the 520 and aluminum for the track only. I've ran this stuff on my 900, but with the power difference I wasn't sure of the risk factor. Especially with an aluminum rear. If I could safely get a year out of it I'd be ok with that. I had to laugh Seamus when I read your story, and seen the pic. I've done that with dirt bikes in the past. I can picture myself analyzing what’s going on as well. I'm not sure if they make an x-ring without o-ring, but how much of a drag difference do the o-rings make?

Seamus: Cal-Sportbike website lists ~4-8k miles. Less if you race, more if you ride like Sheep.

From what I hear sheep just wears both sides of the teeth evenly.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Mileage is not important. I want to strip my new 530 stuff off and switch to the 520 and aluminum for the track only. I've ran this stuff on my 900, but with the power difference I wasn't sure of the risk factor. Especially with an aluminum rear. If I could safely get a year out of it I'd be ok with that. I had to laugh Seamus when I read your story, and seen the pic. I've done that with dirt bikes in the past. I can picture myself analyzing what’s going on as well. I'm not sure if they make an x-ring without o-ring, but how much of a drag difference do the o-rings make?

If you are considering going back and forth you would need to break the chain each time. Something I would avoid.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

If you are considering going back and forth you would need to break the chain each time. Something I would avoid.

Um... not really back and forth. The street riding this year will be small. I just don't like riding geared down on the street. With my 530 stuff having 1000 miles on it I thought I'd stuff it in a bag for now and reuse it later on. Other than having to use a new connecting link each time, what’s wrong with swapping the chain and sprockets out? I'd mark the rotation direction?

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Um... not really back and forth. The street riding this year will be small. I just don't like riding geared down on the street. With my 530 stuff having 1000 miles on it I thought I'd stuff it in a bag for now and reuse it later on. Other than having to use a new connecting link each time, what’s wrong with swapping the chain and sprockets out? I'd mark the rotation direction?

Other than breaking the chain nothing. I just think all the cutting increases the chance of a failure to much for little or no gain.

No faster than you will be, the 520 will be fine.

Seriously, the 520 will be ok. even for street riding. Just watch the snapping of the throttle, that will stretch them pretty quick.

Ok. Aluminum rear sprocket ok also?

Originally Posted by Shenders1

Aluminum rears are only good to 155, not 160

Sheew.. I just made it

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Ok. Aluminum rear sprocket ok also?

if you do not plan on alot of street riding, it should be ok. But if you do plan on doing alot of street miles you can pick up a steel rear and change it out after a track day

Originally Posted by Hammer

if you do not plan on alot of street riding, it should be ok. But if you do plan on doing alot of street miles you can pick up a steel rear and change it out after a track day

Ok sounds good. Thanks all.

[quote]Aluminum rears are only good to 155, not 160 [/quote]

You know the Ducati rep assured me if I were to buy the 1198 "R" he'd guarantee I'd hit 160. And this is the logic I've been using around the house to try and convince the urgent need..

FWIW, I have an aluminum rear sprocket on my 929 (kept the stock 530 chain, though) and I've got about 10,000 miles on it, combo of street and track.

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

FWIW, I have an aluminum rear sprocket on my 929 (kept the stock 530 chain, though) and I've got about 10,000 miles on it, combo of street and track.

Thats not bad at all. I wouldn't have thought aluminum would last that long.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Thats not bad at all. I wouldn't have thought aluminum would last that long.

Me neither. Has me wondering now if it's really an aluminum one they sent....

Originally Posted by BobcatSig

As for the Au sprocket, I don't know ... I'd go with a renthal or some sort of lightened steel unit. Au can be great, although without proper care, that can go pretty fast.

That's an expensive sprocket....

Originally Posted by Baketech

That's an expensive sprocket....

Bling.

Originally Posted by Baketech

That's an expensive sprocket....

Probably not the greatest for wear either. Save your money and go with Pb.

Originally Posted by Baketech

That's an expensive sprocket....

That's what I was thinking. I meant to point that out last night and forgot.

I've never heard of Au? On my dirt bikes I always used DID and sunstar or renthal sprockets. I have a tendency to lean that way with the 1k just from that, but doesn't mean it’s the good stuff for street bikes. Input? What about non o ring since it’s purely a performance mod? Do they make them in 520?

I usually get ~10000 miles from a 520 chain and aluminium ( ) sprocket. This is from experience with a 929, RC51, and 954. Mostly street riding as well. Only the 954 has serious track time on it.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

I've never heard of Au?

Au is the periodic table symbol for gold. Al is Aluminum

WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements

Besides being trackday (and race) BS artists, many of us are ubernerds.

Originally Posted by seamus

Au is the periodic table symbol for gold. Al is Aluminum

WebElements Periodic Table of the Elements

Besides being trackday (and race) BS artists, many of us are ubernerds.

ah.. always a comedian around I might have known that 12 years ago. Haven't used the periodic table in the bodyshop

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

ah.. always a comedian around I might have known that 12 years ago. Haven't used the periodic table in the bodyshop

You been sniffing to much bondo.