# 520 conversion and sprockets...questions **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 19, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289 "2008-06-19T18:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/1 "2008-06-19T18:16:59Z")
I ride a 1998 Honda CBR 600. I’m debating some stuff in the near future here. First, my chain is worn and needs replacing pretty quick. I can buy a new OEM chain and have it installed for a little over $100. However, I’m sure that before the end of this summer, I’m going to want a little more zip out of the bike. I couldn’t care less about top end speeds as I don’t really like going over 85 mph or so. I do love accelerating on it though. I’ve been reading up on the 520 conversion. What are the thoughts you guys have on that? Worth it? Can you explain in detail what it does that doesn’t sound like a sales pitch? All I’ve gathered is it increases the longevity of the chain if you buy the corresponding sprockets. What does the “520” reference? If I’m researching correctly, a 525 is what came on the bike? Does the brand matter? DID, RK, EK, Regina, etc? Second, if the 520 conversion is worth it, I have to get new sprockets I think. The bike came with a 15/43 setup. If I do this conversion, and I go to a 14/45 (-1/+2), will it be subtle differences like slightly better acceleration and a little more lift in the front (i would like that), or is the thing going to flip over on me when i hit the gas (i would not like that)? I appreciate in advance your advice on this. Sorry for so many questions, but I’m new to all this, and don’t want to fuck it up. ---
**Author:** ![quadturbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7bcc69/32.png) [@quadturbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/quadturbo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/2 "2008-06-19T18:30:27Z")
520 is how wide the chain is im pretty sure…ive never heard of changing it and getting any gains possibly someone else can help with that. brand is usually just personal preference just stay away from cheap roller chains either get a o,x,xw ring chain and take good care of it. ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/3 "2008-06-19T18:38:29Z")
i don’t see how there could be a performance gain, even though some sites claim that there are. all i can see is longevity being better due to it being a “beefier” chain. if my bike came with a 525, wouldn’t a 520 be less of a chain? or am i reading this all wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/4 "2008-06-19T18:42:06Z")
520 refers to the sprocket/chain thickness. with a thinner chain/sprocket combo, there will be less rotating mass, and in most cases you will see a small gain in power. But when you gear it differently, i.e. -1 in the front and +2 in the back, the bike accelerates quite a bit faster and takes away from the top speed. (which you should know) this is why stunters go up alot in the rear, for low end power. brand will make a difference, stick with the big guys and you shouldn’t have a problem. If you really need to replace the chain, sprockets don’t add much to the cost, so you might as well make a difference on the bike. BUT if you get a 520 chain, you need 520 sprockets. and vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/5 "2008-06-19T18:44:32Z")
what kind fo chain does the bike currently have? 525? im pretty sure thats it. anyways, going down to a 520 is fine on a 600, on liter bikes usually not such a good idea since the strength of the chain is usually lower. but like i said, youll be fine. x or xw is def the way you want to go, they will last much longer than o-ring chains. rk is what i usually sold the most of when i worked at this one bike shop. as far as sprockets go, get steel, all around. your front will most def be steel, the rear you will probably have to search for steel as aluminum will be everywhere. the weight difference is not going to affect a street bike and the aluminum sprockets get torn up very fast. check forums to see what ppl say with gearing with your particular bike. rule of thumbs is 1 down in the front is the equivelant of 3 up in the back. so its like your going 5 up in the back, will def still be ridable but like i said, do some reseach on ur specific bike. oooh, and get a rivet master link, not the clips type, those are dangerous. if you dead set on doing it yourself and you cant get the tool to rivet the link, buy a snap link, put it on, ride it to a shop and give them the rivet master link and have them do it thats about it, all of this i picked up from working at a shop for a while just after i moved out here ---
**Author:** ![quadturbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7bcc69/32.png) [@quadturbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/quadturbo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/6 "2008-06-19T18:44:43Z")
the most you will really notice is wear, i guess the idea the 520 is less rotating mass therefore faster but its probably minimal imo i could be wrong. If you sprockets are still good id stick with the 525 if thats what it came with. ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/7 "2008-06-19T18:45:24Z")
> [@Paulo](#): > > 520 refers to the sprocket/chain thickness. with a thinner chain/sprocket combo, there will be less rotating mass, and in most cases you will see a small gain in power. > > But when you gear it differently, i.e. -1 in the front and +2 in the back, the bike accelerates quite a bit faster and takes away from the top speed. (which you should know) this is why stunters go up alot in the rear, for low end power. > > brand will make a difference, stick with the big guys and you shouldn’t have a problem. If you really need to replace the chain, sprockets don’t add much to the cost, so you might as well make a difference on the bike. BUT if you get a 520 chain, you need 520 sprockets. and vice versa. oh. so it’s like putting smaller wheels with the less rotating mass. so a 520 would be an improvement over the 525 i have now. as a newer rider, would a big ass sprocket fo da back be a smart move? :mamoru: ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/8 "2008-06-19T18:46:46Z")
i wouldnt put too big of a sprocket on the back just because itll suck to ride most of the time, your bike will be screaming on the freeway ---
**Author:** ![rdandy5875](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rdandy5875/32/7511_2.png) [@rdandy5875](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rdandy5875)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/9 "2008-06-19T18:46:48Z")
edit: too late :). Guess I’ll just add to NOT buy sprockets with evenly matched teeth. For instance don’t buy a 15 with a 45 rear or a 16 with a 48 rear. I forgot exactly what this is called, there is a name for it, but it will increase wear ALOT. ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/10 "2008-06-19T18:47:53Z")
> [@originalsin](#): > > snip ah yes, I forgot to mention tooling. The proper tool cost ~$100 to break and re link a chain with rivet type links. (I recently broke one :() So getting someone else to do it, usually isn’t a bad idea. I did mine, but had the right tool for it. ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/11 "2008-06-19T18:49:36Z")
breaking the old chain can be done with a drill and proper sized bit 😉 again, get STEEL sprockets ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/12 "2008-06-19T18:50:34Z")
> [@originalsin](#): > > what kind fo chain does the bike currently have? 525? im pretty sure thats it. anyways, going down to a 520 is fine on a 600, on liter bikes usually not such a good idea since the strength of the chain is usually lower. but like i said, youll be fine. > x or xw is def the way you want to go, they will last much longer than o-ring chains. rk is what i usually sold the most of when i worked at this one bike shop. > > as far as sprockets go, get steal, all around. your front will most def be steal, the rear you will probably have to search for steal as aluminum will be everywhere. the weight difference is not going to affect a street bike and the aluminum sprockets get torn up very fast. check forums to see what ppl say with gearing with your particular bike. rule of thumbs is 1 down in the front is the equivelant of 3 up in the back. so its like your going 5 up in the back, will def still be ridable but like i said, do some reseach on ur specific bike. > > oooh, and get a rivet master link, not the clips type, those are dangerous. > > if you dead set on doing it yourself and you cant get the tool to rivet the link, buy a snap link, put it on, ride it to a shop and give them the rivet master link and have them do it > > thats about it, all of this i picked up from working at a shop for a while just after i moved out here i’m pretty sure it’s a 525 currently. i had read the same thing about not doing it on a liter bike, but being ok on a 600. the 520 sprockets i found were hardened steel at 60 bucks or so for the rear. i can’t remember the price on the front. how are the DID chains? ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/13 "2008-06-19T18:52:16Z")
> [@originalsin](#): > > breaking the old chain can be done with a drill and proper sized bit 😉 > > again, get STEEL sprockets Or a die grinder lol. I’m almost positive your bike has a 525 dan. ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/14 "2008-06-19T18:54:06Z")
oh jesus this is getting complicated. i’m not going to do the work myself. i’ll have a shop do it. it just occurred to me…if i do change all this stuff, it will affect the RPM’s because of the gearing. i’m assuming it will fuck up my speedo too? is there a way to correct it? i’m starting to think just keep the OEM setup and just get a new chain for now. ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/15 "2008-06-19T18:54:19Z")
DID are good, make sure its an x ring ---
**Author:** ![rdandy5875](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rdandy5875/32/7511_2.png) [@rdandy5875](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rdandy5875)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/16 "2008-06-19T18:54:33Z")
+1 for steel sprockets. Also, if you live around north buffalo, I can break the chain and rivet it for you. ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/17 "2008-06-19T18:55:31Z")
yes it will f up ur speedo ---
**Author:** ![rdandy5875](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rdandy5875/32/7511_2.png) [@rdandy5875](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rdandy5875)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/18 "2008-06-19T18:56:39Z")
> [@Dex](#): > > oh jesus this is getting complicated. i’m not going to do the work myself. i’ll have a shop do it. > > it just occurred to me…if i do change all this stuff, it will affect the RPM’s because of the gearing. i’m assuming it will fuck up my speedo too? is there a way to correct it? > > i’m starting to think just keep the OEM setup and just get a new chain for now. Depending on the miles you should also replace the sprockets. Your speedo depends on where the pickup is. I forgot where it is on that bike. If it’s the front wheel you are lucky, if not you can get a speedohealer. ---
**Author:** ![quadturbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7bcc69/32.png) [@quadturbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/quadturbo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/19 "2008-06-19T19:36:13Z")
> [@Dex](#): > > i’m assuming it will fuck up my speedo too? is there a way to correct it? get a gps or a bike speedo…or just fug it ---
**Author:** ![Dex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dex/32/7210_2.png) [@Dex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dex)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289/20 "2008-06-19T20:17:38Z")
> [@originalsin](#): > > DID are good, make sure its an x ring they are x-ring chains that i was looking at from DID. > [@rdandy5875](#): > > +1 for steel sprockets. > > Also, if you live around north buffalo, I can break the chain and rivet it for you. they are definitely steel sprockets. buying an aluminum one for my purposes makes no sense. lol. > [@rdandy5875](#): > > Depending on the miles you should also replace the sprockets. > > Your speedo depends on where the pickup is. I forgot where it is on that bike. If it’s the front wheel you are lucky, if not you can get a speedohealer. i don’t think the pickup is on the front wheel. however, it would be great if it was. it looks like i’ll have to add a speedo healer to my list. i’ve spent my entire evening drinking beer and reading up on this. i’m pretty sure i’m just going to replace the chain and call it a day for now. i’m not even sure i’m keeping this bike. if i do keep it, this may be a project for winter. it’s looking like a 300 dollar investment at minimum right now before i pay labor. i’m guessing 500 dollars total. that’s more than i really want to spend on a bike i may not be keeping. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/520-conversion-and-sprockets-questions/50289.md?page=2)