What are the requirements for a replacement chain?

[timbo]

I'm looking to replace the chain on my '95 bike.  I counted that it has 110 links, but are there any other numbers I need to use when ordering one?  Do you cats have any recommendations?  I have a D.I.D. chain (520VM) on my BMW and figured I'd go with the same brand.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Tim

[Kerry]

The D.I.D. 520VM is an X-ring unit.  My '99 GS500E came with the same chain, but I know some of the earlier years came with a D.I.D. 520 V (O-ring) chain.

For some ideas, check out this text file.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

[timbo]

so the proper length is 110 links, right?  I found a site saying it was 112 links...

[Kerry]

Yep, 110 links if you use the stock sprocket sizes (16 teeth in front, 39 teeth in back).

[Manix]

I'm looking for new sprockets and chain to replace the original ones and came across something that puzzles me. It seems that GS has a 110 link chain from -99 onwards and 112 link from that year backwards. Why is that? And does it even matter if you use longer or shorter chain than indicated.

I checked that info from three different parts catalogs and they all tell the same thing.

[timbo]

I counted the links on my old chain three times - 110 links.  I have a '95 bike but it's not the original chain.  Since the current chain has 110 links, the replacement should be the same size.  I found the same info about 110 and 112 but went with 110 since that's what the old chain was, keeping my fingers crossed.

2 extra links could make the chain sag too much.  You can definitely adjust the chain to give it the proper tension, but you may not have enough room on the bike's swingarm to pull the tire back far enough.  

Opposite of this,  if you're supposed to have 112 and you try to put on 110, there may not be enough room to push the tire forward enough.

If you have a chain breaker or link remover tool, you can get the 112 and remove 2 links if you need to.  If you don't have one you'll need to either a) find someone who does or get it done at a bike shop or b) return the chain for the proper size and get stuck with the restocking fee.

I should get my chain today.  Give me a day or two and I'll let you know how it works out.

By the way, both sprockets are the same size as the originals (16-tooth front and 39-tooth rear).  I don't know if you planned on changing your sprocket configuration to differ from the original.

Tim

[Manix]

I'm planning to stay with the original setup, at least for now. The catch here is that my bike is registered in '99 but the color suggests that it's a '98 model.  
So you can guess I'm a bit confused about the chain length. Maybe I should just call Suzuki and ask them, they should know it when I give them the frame serial number.

Or just do what you did and count the links.  

[Kerry]

[...]my bike is registered in '99 but the color suggests that it's a '98 model.  [...]  Maybe I should just call Suzuki and ask them, they should know it when I give them the frame serial number.

No need to call Suzuki.  Check out THIS POST and the photo later in the same thread.

For an accurate-as-far-as-we-know color chart, see the GS Colors by Year page on this site.

[Manix]

I'm out of luck on that VIN-plate.  

The information on my bike is totally different, the alphabetical codes don't match to US-models. It just says that the model is "GS500E-GM51B/487".

The color chart does suggest that it's '98 after all. Here's a picture.

[Kerry]

Oops!  I totally spaced the "Finland" info.  Sorry about that....

Note: The "487" refers to the actual capacity of the engine in CCs.