Howdy,
I have a 1991 gs500e and it needs a new chain. Old one is getting rusty and sags like crazy, and there is only so much adjustment left. Are there some specs I should know about? Or are chains kinda universal? Also, where is a good place to look. Thanks! Ride safe.
- Konrad
DID 520 O-ring 110 link chain, clip style master link is fine for our bikes...if the old one is that bad, might as well do the sprockets at the same time. It's a good time to upgrade to a 15T front if you haven't already.
520-110 links is the standard.
plain, o-ring or x-ring all work. O-ring or X-ring last longer - if you believe the X-ring marketing, they work better. Price is often not too different.
If your chain is worn out, your front sprocket is almost definitely worn out, and your rear sprocket may be. If you run a new chain on worn sprockets, the sprockets will wear the new chain excessively fast. Best to replace all three as a set, though you might be able to leave the rear for two chains, and you might want to swap the front out in the middle of the chain's life - it's inexpensive and wears the most of all three parts. Depends somewhat on what wear you see.
Given a present state of evident neglect, get a full set (front, rear, and chain) and then contemplate a new front sprocket in 10,000 miles or so, unless you want to be really anal about it (it would technically be better) and rotate two front sprockets (one on the bike and one in the toolbox), swapping them every oil change or so, such that they wear along with the chain, somewhat evenly.
If you use a clip-type masterlink (I do, see no problem and a lot of convenience to it) it's not a bad idea to keep a complete spare link in the toolkit on the bike - if it ever does come off on the road (not likely, but possible) you'll probably have no trouble finding the chain, but the link parts are tiny. Actually, it's a good idea even if you use a rivet type link, since a riveted chain can break (also not likely). Master link takes up little room in the kit.
I've been using this DID chain from Chaparral on my GSs, one every year or two since 99. Comes with a clip type master link.
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=312%2D1910&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=0E9D717E1548D4E4EAA2D4A899AE45D0
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16779&mscssid=0E9D717E1548D4E4EAA2D4A899AE45D0&Gift=False&GiftID=
I replace front sprocket about every other chain. Never replaced a rear sprocket but I keep them well lubed. Your older GS probably needs one, some never lube them properly.
I put the 15T front on my 97 GS but don't think my 02 GS needs it so it still has standard 16/39T sprockets.
I have a bikemaster o-ring chaon 108 link along with my 13t front sprocket. but before that I used it on my 14t and it has worked great for me for over 4k so far and from the looks it still has a good amount to go. and DID are good but too pricey for me. when I got my chain and sprocket from my local dealer it was around 70bucks.
That DID chain from Chaparral has been the same $57.20 since I got the first one almost 10 years ago. A JT 15T front sprocket is $10.50 for 89-93 GS-E.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-GS500F-GS-500-2004-2005-model-O-Ring-Drive-Chain_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1073Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem200246915644QQitemZ200246915644
It's KMC and for the price you can't beat it. I've only needed to adjust it once in 3000 miles, and that was mostly due to break in. So it looks to be a longer lasting chain than stock, which I got 16,000 miles out of. This one looks like it'll go about 20,000 miles. I also run an AFAM 18 tooth front which ought to help increase chain life and it's chromoly so it too will last extra long. I need the miles because I put about 2000-3000 miles a month on my bike.