I'm looking at chains and I was about to order one from my work when I noticed somthing.
looking at an EK X-ring 520 chain, and some say 520. others say 520SR, and others say 520SRXL. is there any difference between these, or is it just a model # difference? will they all fit?
this is what I'm looking at. highlighted in green is the chain I was going to buy and the matching master link.
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/gimmeaname1234/chainsheet.jpg)
The "520" tells you that it will fit the GS500 sprockets. Larger bikes use wider/beefier links (530, etc)
Given the catalog choices shown, you selected the correct chain and master link, although the non-Gold versions would have worked, too. ;) You don't want either the plain 520 or the 520SR because they are non-sealed types (no O-ring or X-ring or any other kind of ring to keep the lubrication sealed in).
EK used to offer an SRO series (O-ring) as well as an SRX series (X-ring). Looking at my Chains & Sprockets (http://www.bbburma.net/Documents/GS500_Chains&Sprockets.txt) page, I see that I removed the prices and part numbers for the SRO series at some point. Maybe it's no longer available? I need to update that page to include the SRXL series, which I had never heard of before.
thank you so much kind sir. thats exactly what I needed to know. you truly are a motorcycle god.