I found this on fleabay and was considering buying this of course because of the price but I have never had to get a new chain for a motorcycle before. Now I feel that maybe this is could end as a bad choice, but I wanted to know if it is necessary to change out sprockets to match with the new chain that way they are all new or if that mattered.
Also about this chain, Is it of decent quality just by looking at it?
And I know some people are picky about the type of master link, so I wanted to ask if the Master Link that is pictured is good or would I need to get a different one.
Any other info about this would help as well. I am usually the kind of guy who likes to research his purchases before diving in. Thanks for your time guys. And cheers to all that keep this site up and going. Learned a lot and still have plenty to learn.
Link : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/520-120-RED-CHAIN-ATV-MOTORCYCLE-DIRT-BIKE-HONDA-CBR-XR-/400195752831?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d86937f
Chain and sprockets wear together. Always change sprockets when you change the chain.
That chain is neither O ring nor X ring. So basically a piece of crap. $25 and free shipping is a good clue for crap. Chains are heavy and expensive to ship.
Search here for chain and sprocket set or gpo tfo a reputable dealer:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4026&rt=nc&_nkw=gs500%20chain&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1581&_pgn=4
Expect $80 or more for good chain and sprockets.
Chain and sprockets typically wear together, so it's best to replace them as a set. In general, most folks don't change the rear every time since it wears the least. You need to change front with the chain though. I did both when I did mine.
Hi there,
Check out the prior posts here on the site, man!
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43920.0
Quote from: Trwhouse on August 29, 2008, 05:11:04 PM
A simple search brings up:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33434.0
Re: Chain...confused...need help
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2007, 10:07:49 AM »
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Hi there,
I recently replaced my chain and sprockets and here's what I found (if you had searched previous posts, you would have found this Smiley ):
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33181.0
"I just bought replacement steel sprockets -- 39T rear and a 16T countershaft sprocket -- and a superior Tsubaki Alpha Gold 520x110 link o-ring chain complete with free shipping for $116 altogether from Parts411.com via mail order. A steal compared to the local dealer and the chain is much better."
Call them at their toll-free number ... 1-877-484-4860.
You have to call to order things like the sprockets to fit your specific bike.
I ordered the following:
1 Tsubaki Alpha Gold 520-110 link o-ring chain $80.30 part no. H18-172-110-PU
1 JT rear steel 39T sprocket $20.50 part no. JTR823-39-PU
1 JT countershaft 16T stock-sized sprocket $ 7.88 part no. JTF565-16-PU
1 Tsubaki spare clip connecting link (for toolkit) $7.90 part no. H18-173-PU
Total with FREE SHIPPING over $100 order $116.58
I ordered it all on Jan 15, 2007 and had it in a week from California.
It was much cheaper than everywhere else I checked.
I'd highly recommend them.
I have used standard non-o-ring chain on my GS500 and was NOT happy with it, which is why I'm going back to o-ring chain. The non o-ring chain required CONSTANT adjustments, which is a pain.
I prefer Tsubaki brand or DID chain, both of which are high-quality. Stay away from no-name chain.
And about tensile strength, yes it is important to meet the strength of the original chain, but our GS500's don't produce enough torque and horsepower to mandate the highest tensile strength chains.
The Tsubaki o-ring chains are stronger than stock without being costly overkill.
Replacing the chain and BOTH sprockets makes my bike quieter, smoother and nicer to ride.
Replace it all. Always better to replace them as a set. An old sprocket will wear out a new chain more quickly. It's not worth cutting a corner there.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
I will try that number tomorrow, but I did notice that post was over 2 years old... not sure that I would have found that post withough jumping through hoops. I did a search and I enjoy researching but after about 30 minutes of searching I felt like I was wasting my time since they were other kinds of issues not for a new chain. Anyways I did some more searching and found a site that basically said that O-ring and normal chains are pretty much the same but that the O-ring is a manufacturers way of advertising it as better. But that the X-ring was where it was at for real better chain performance.
However the price tag is raised on this "better style" chain. It seems worth it for the estimated 33% increase in chain life for a less than that increas in price. Now that's judging from the same company selling different version of each kind of chain. The one on Ebay of course is th cheapest at less than 30$ but also I dont know the tensile strength of that chain and supposedly that is important as well.
Besides that I narrowed it to most likely two choices and would like a second opinion if possible.
Price: $82.99 BIKEMASTER® 520SX X-RING CHAIN(master link is separate i think)
http://www.parts411.com/productdetail.htm?productId=8587826&source=ModalFitment&vxid=5952&vmid=7814204&ez=2005%20Suzuki%20GS500F~q=fitaa5952zzisidaa6zz~r=fidaa94zztidaa1386zz~
Price: $86.99 EK 520 SRX Chain (also master link not included i think)
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/61/10839/ITEM/EK-520-SRX-Chain.aspx
Thanks again ahead of time
Have you checked www.denniskirk.com? They have all sorts of chains.
But yes, depending on the manufacturer o-ring and non o-ring chains are similar. They should have about the same tensile strength (but can vary widely too), about the same dimensions (o-rings will be bigger and heavier). The major difference is........the o-rings. They seal out small bits of dirt and crud from destroying the chain from the inside out.
In the long run, a chain that lasts longer will make your sprockets last longer as well. And if you do it properly by changing your chain and sprockets as a set you will save big $$.
That DID O-ring chain I use to get from Chaparral for about $55 was much more expensive when I got my present chain about 2 years ago so I settled for a RK-XSO chain which falls between a O-ring and a X-ring chain in life I think. It's wearing well with about 17k miles on it now and counting but as always it's getting kinky and will be replaced as soon as the weather breaks. Riding year around here in NE OH and splashing thru the ample salt water on the streets every winter leaves my chains a rusty kinky mess by spring. :icon_sad:
Best buy I could find a couple months ago was a Parts Unlimited 0-ring chain from Dennis Kirk I bought a couple months ago waiting until spring has sprung to put it on along with a new 15T JT sprocket, never change rear sprockets on my modestly powered bikes and have put up to 80-100k miles on them. Got the new chain with a clip type master link for about $56 but I see they are up to $62 now already for 110 link chain, it's a quad-staked chain made in Japan:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/product.jsp?store=Main&catId=415&leafCatId=41503&skuId=110106110&productId=p110106&mmyId=
Got about 85.5k miles on the 02 GS now, here's my brake/chain log I keep for reference:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg