520, 520v, 530v what is stock on a old body style one and what do the sizes mean....oh yeah and stuff like o ring and x....can some one clear up all this stuff about gs chains....kerry?...
i know its a 520 chain but not sure what the v stands for
All model years come with a 520 width, 110-tooth chain.
My (now richard's) 1996 bike came with a D.I.D. 520V (O-ring) chain, while my 1999 came with a D.I.D. 520VM (X-ring) chain.
If you are looking to replace your chain, check out this compilation of GS500 Chains & Sprockets (http://www.bbburma.net/Documents/GS500_Chains&Sprockets.txt).
Here is (are?) the relevant D.I.D. data from the Chaparral catalog:
TYPE TENSILE WEAR LIFE Chaparral
STRENGTH (lbs) INDEX Price
Standard (520) 7,200 100 $29.70
Professional O-ring (520V) 6,830 2,350 $57.20
Gold Premium X-ring (520VM) 8,120 3,450 $86.90
I replaced my original X-ring (VM) chain with an O-ring (V) unit. Why? Well, if you really want to know...I went about it mathematically. :roll:
The O-ring "price-to-wear life" ratio is $57.20/2,350 = 2.4 cents per "wear unit"
The X-ring "price-to-wear life" ratio is $86.90/3,450 = 2.5 cents per "wear unit"
Since the ratios were so close, for me the question became partly "How often do I mind replacing the chain?" and partly "How much money do I want to drop every time I need a new chain?"
I opted for the more frequent, less expensive swap. Feel free to choose differently. (Only, do us ALL a favor and skip the Standard chain!)
EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net
Quote from: johncam4stuff like o ring and x....can some one clear up all this stuff about gs chains[...]?
I neglected to answer the question about O-ring vs X-ring chains.
This refers to the cross section of the rings that seal in the factory-supplied lubricant. See the illustrations on the
D.I.D. FOR THE STREET page.
(Also, don't miss the
D.I.D. Q&A page and the
D.I.D APPLICATION CHARTS AND SPECIFICATION page.)