520 chain and sprockets conversion.

[bth2]

so its new chain time.

i have found the 520 conversion for a yzf -r1 is just the job for our xtz 690.

JT Sprockets: Catalogue

part numbers are :- jtf 1579....and jtr 486  

i run 16t front and 46 rear. there are more rear sprocket choices for the 520 chain. the choice is yours.

[Marc]

I bought mine from Sprocket Center. Same sprockets as the MT07, front and rear. Put on a nice gold DID VX x-ring chain also.

[bth2]

i always fit zvmx gold . i always seem to get great mileage out of that chain.

[Aleksandar13]

On 4/1/2021 at 7:49 AM, bth2 said:

so its new chain time.

i have found the 520 conversion for a yzf -r1 is just the job for our xtz 690.

JT Sprockets: Catalogue

part numbers are :- jtf 1579....and jtr 486  

i run 16t front and 46 rear. there are more rear sprocket choices for the 520 chain. the choice is yours.

Thank you for sharing this, I am not a chain expert and would like to know what are the benefits of this conversion. 

I would like to stick to 16 front and one down on the back to 45 tooth. I'm on 17 inch wheels. Appreciate your help. 

Aleks 

[bth2]

i am no expert either...but if you can run a yzf - r1 on a 520 chain set then i see no reason not to run that on a t7.  all i can see benefits are :- a lighter chain and more choice of sprockets.  this is the first bike i have owned with a 525 chain. if it wasnt 520 then it would be a 530.

[Aleksandar13]

5 hours ago, bth2 said:

i am no expert either...but if you can run a yzf - r1 on a 520 chain set then i see no reason not to run that on a t7.  all i can see benefits are :- a lighter chain and more choice of sprockets.  this is the first bike i have owned with a 525 chain. if it wasnt 520 then it would be a 530.

Perfect thanks, would the r1 chain that you have posted a link be long enough for the tenere? 

Aleks 

[bth2]

14 hours ago, Aleksandar13 said:

Perfect thanks, would the r1 chain that you have posted a link be long enough for the tenere? 

Aleks 

not sure about the r1 chain length. t7 is 122 links. i always buy a chain with a few links extra just in case.

[Aleksandar13]

1 minute ago, bth2 said:

not sure about the r1 chain length. t7 is 122 links. i always buy a chain with a few links extra just in case.

Thank you, I will have a look myself and see if I can source one from UK. 

Aleks 

[bth2]

a better front sprocket is the afam 21611 - 16t

[bth2]

my set up is........520 did zvmx gold + gold chain , 16t jtf 1579 , jtr 486. 

no issues fitting. ill keep an eye on longevity etc.

[MVDBR]

Heya fellas, are you using 120 link 520 chains? T7 definitely has 122 links on the stock 525 and I can't seem to find any 520 chains that have more than 120 links

[Wizbang]

17 minutes ago, MVDBR said:

Heya fellas, are you using 120 link 520 chains? T7 definitely has 122 links on the stock 525 and I can't seem to find any 520 chains that have more than 120 links

yep, wow. I just checked the last one I bought and it was 120 link DIDvx3 gold. Could have sworn it was 180 link.

My search also couldn't find one in the regular haunts.

Mind you, with the change of front and rear sprockets it might not need 122 links in 520 size.

 

Your shop might have an old 120 link 520 to use as a tester?

Edited October 21, 2021 by Wizbang

[MVDBR]

17 minutes ago, Wizbang said:

yep, wow. I just checked the last one I bought and it was 120 link DIDvx3 gold. Could have sworn it was 180 link.

My search also couldn't find one in the regular haunts.

Mind you, with the change of front and rear sprockets it might not need 122 links in 520 size.

 

Your shop might have an old 120 link 520 to use as a tester?

 

I was gonna go to a 16/47 combo one tooth up front and rear so I'm doubtful I could make it fit! Do they count the masterlink in the 120? Cause if not that might get me over the line Or maybe do a super dodgy and put in 2 masters hahaha. Thanks for the reply mate

[TimeMachine]

On 10/21/2021 at 5:51 PM, MVDBR said:

 

I was gonna go to a 16/47 combo one tooth up front and rear so I'm doubtful I could make it fit! Do they count the masterlink in the 120? Cause if not that might get me over the line Or maybe do a super dodgy and put in 2 masters hahaha. Thanks for the reply mate

Josh, you would need the 122 unless going smaller in sprocket sizes. 

I did a weight comparison between the 525 and a high strength 520 about a year ago, and the difference including sprockets was only about 120 grams. If you use a lighter / weaker chain then you might get better weight savings. This is the chain I bought from carpimoto.com to do the conversion. They are saying out of stock now.

 

RK520GXWBB-122 - RK 520 GXW High Performance Sealed Chain, 122 Links, 520 size

 https://www.carpimoto.com/en-US/Brand_RK/37532_RK520GXWBB-122-RK-520-GXW-Chain-Black-Black.htm

 

Also the front sprocket teeth of the 525 are much meatier than the 520, and convinced me to stick with 525 for longevity.

 

 

[Edit] - total weight of this 520 chain and front and rear sprockets.

Edited October 24, 2021 by TimeMachine

[WRXer]

520 is plenty strong on a Tenere.  They run them on road liter bikes.

[MVDBR]

4 hours ago, TimeMachine said:

Josh, you would need the 122 unless going smaller in sprocket sizes. 

I did a weight comparison between the 525 and a high strength 520 about a year ago, and the difference including sprockets was only about 120 grams. If you use a lighter / weaker chain then you might get better weight savings. This is the chain I bought from carpimoto.com to do the conversion. They are saying out of stock now.

 

RK520GXWBB-122 - RK 520 GXW High Performance Sealed Chain, 122 Links, 520 size

 https://www.carpimoto.com/en-US/Brand_RK/37532_RK520GXWBB-122-RK-520-GXW-Chain-Black-Black.htm

 

Also the front sprocket teeth of the 525 are much meatier than the 520, and convinced me to stick with 525 for longevity.

 

 

[Edit] - total weight of this 520 chain and front and rear sprockets.

 

Thank you mate I think it's gonna be easier to stick with 525 too I can't find a 520 chain with more than 120 links for a good price which was my main reason for switching, save a few bucks

[bth2]

just for information.

right, my 520 chain conversion is just about ready for a change. its done similar milage to the 525 chain..aprox 15,000 mls. 

i have decided to go back to the 525 chain and sprockets. i have found no real advantage / disadvantage to using the 520 except for the weight difference.

just a note ,  i have used two front 520 16t sprockets due to wear. one rear.

 

ride safe.

Edited March 16, 2023 by bth2

[Ray Ride4life]

52 minutes ago, bth2 said:

except for the weight difference.

Do you know what weight difference that is?
I'm trying to loose weight where i can to compensate the changes that added weight with a slight hope to loose more than i gained.

[Windblown]

5 minutes ago, Ray Ride4life said:

Do you know what weight difference that is?
I'm trying to loose weight where i can to compensate the changes that added weight with a slight hope to loose more than i gained.

Chain + Sprockets, maybe .75 kilo?

 

Here are chain specs between the same model DID chain in 520 & 525.

DID 520 VX3
Tensile Strength:    8,210 lbs
Weight (100L):    3.35 lbs
Chain Life Index:    3500

 

DID 525 VX3
Tensile Strength:    9,980 lbs
Weight (100L):    4.09 lbs
Chain Life Index:    4000