530 X-ring Chain Conversion for a Z1
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:59 pm
Talking with Jerry at at Donnington a guy was asking about 530 chain on a Z1B so I thought I would add my previous magazine article to the 'searchable' web site.
The chain that came with my ?restoration project? was well past it?s best. I looked in the M&P catalogue and selected Sprockets and what I was led to believe was an X-ring chain. Unfortunately it appears that you cannot get X-ring chain in 630 size. I have read that X-ring has 50% less friction than O-ring and also has a much higher wear resistance. So I set about seeing how I could fit a 530 chain to the ?Z?. The smaller pitch means that I could have more teeth at the gearbox thus spreading the load per tooth and giving smoother running.
A combination of 16/38 tooth sprockets gives a ratio of ?1.7% against the stock 630, 15/35 tooth sprockets. 17/38 gives +4% and is similar to the Z900 final ratio of 15/33. The gearbox sprocket was easy to source over the counter a VN800 513.17 fits nicely, a 513.16 is also available
The rear sprocket mounting for a Z1/Z900 rear wheel in a 530 chain size is known as 482, unfortunately I could only find this ?over the counter? in a 45 or 47 tooth. The solution was to have a 482.38 made up in alloy by B&C at Potterhanworth for ?29.06, it was delivered within two days. The Alloy sprocket weighed in at 400g compared to the stock steel sprocket at 1.2 Kg.
As 530 pitch is smaller the 530 chain requires 108 links (against the 630 at 92 links)
Obviously a new chain and sprockets will improve smoothness, I am sure that the fine pitch and lighter chain are also better than the 630 oem fit. Another benefit is that that there is about a 1.6 Kg weight saving. I am sure that 530 chain is up to the job as it also fitted to ZZR1100s and YZF R1s.
So 530 X-ring gives 50% less friction, about 75% better wear, runs smoother, weighs 30% less and cost about ?5 more overall, I?m happy with that. I will let you know how well it wears.
As this is an update, I can report that 6 years on the chain the chain has performed well. I only adjust it every 1,000 miles and maintenance is by spray chain lube. Even another trip to the Isle of Man and much thrashing around did not require adjustment.
Definitely a worthwhile mod. to any bike that has a 630 ?anchor chain? as standard.
p.s. it also allows easy playing around with the gearing, the 17/38 gives relaxed cruising but peaks around 130mph in 4th gear (no faster in 5th). 16/38 feels much quicker, though I don?t know what it does to the fuel consumption!
pps not sure whether the VN800 gearbox sprocket would fit a Z900/1000 as they have an offset built in, thus would need a small spacer made.
The chain that came with my ?restoration project? was well past it?s best. I looked in the M&P catalogue and selected Sprockets and what I was led to believe was an X-ring chain. Unfortunately it appears that you cannot get X-ring chain in 630 size. I have read that X-ring has 50% less friction than O-ring and also has a much higher wear resistance. So I set about seeing how I could fit a 530 chain to the ?Z?. The smaller pitch means that I could have more teeth at the gearbox thus spreading the load per tooth and giving smoother running.
A combination of 16/38 tooth sprockets gives a ratio of ?1.7% against the stock 630, 15/35 tooth sprockets. 17/38 gives +4% and is similar to the Z900 final ratio of 15/33. The gearbox sprocket was easy to source over the counter a VN800 513.17 fits nicely, a 513.16 is also available
The rear sprocket mounting for a Z1/Z900 rear wheel in a 530 chain size is known as 482, unfortunately I could only find this ?over the counter? in a 45 or 47 tooth. The solution was to have a 482.38 made up in alloy by B&C at Potterhanworth for ?29.06, it was delivered within two days. The Alloy sprocket weighed in at 400g compared to the stock steel sprocket at 1.2 Kg.
As 530 pitch is smaller the 530 chain requires 108 links (against the 630 at 92 links)
Obviously a new chain and sprockets will improve smoothness, I am sure that the fine pitch and lighter chain are also better than the 630 oem fit. Another benefit is that that there is about a 1.6 Kg weight saving. I am sure that 530 chain is up to the job as it also fitted to ZZR1100s and YZF R1s.
So 530 X-ring gives 50% less friction, about 75% better wear, runs smoother, weighs 30% less and cost about ?5 more overall, I?m happy with that. I will let you know how well it wears.
As this is an update, I can report that 6 years on the chain the chain has performed well. I only adjust it every 1,000 miles and maintenance is by spray chain lube. Even another trip to the Isle of Man and much thrashing around did not require adjustment.
Definitely a worthwhile mod. to any bike that has a 630 ?anchor chain? as standard.
p.s. it also allows easy playing around with the gearing, the 17/38 gives relaxed cruising but peaks around 130mph in 4th gear (no faster in 5th). 16/38 feels much quicker, though I don?t know what it does to the fuel consumption!
pps not sure whether the VN800 gearbox sprocket would fit a Z900/1000 as they have an offset built in, thus would need a small spacer made.
