Chain & sprocket sizes?

Hi guys

Hoping someone can help with some info. I have never changed a chain myself before, just rocked in and paid for it, so have never had to know anything about differences or sizing. Now I'm messing with my bike and want to know about different chain sizing - I often hear about '520' '525' and '530' which I assume has something to do with the width of the sprockets/chain rather than the length?

In particular I am enquiring about the '89 ZX10, the '96 GPZ1100 and the '84 GPZ900R and wanted to know if these will match up. The reason is that I am running a wheel from a GPZ1100 and I am using the ZX10 front sprocket to make it line up (as it is offset and runs 5mm+ outboard). I need to know if the sprockets match in size and in turn if the chain I already have from the GPZ will suit or if I will need a new chain too.

Failing the specifics, even some general info would be a good start so I don't look like an idiot when ringing/asking around.

Cheers

Shifty

I often hear about '520' '525' and '530' which I assume has something to do with the width of the sprockets/chain rather than the length?

And also the 'pitch'(distance between the center of 2 rollers). U might want to find out wat size is the ZX10 front made for. If it's made for a 530, then u can only fit in a 530 chain. But if it's made for a 525, u can fit in a 525 and 530 chain, but they have to be of the same 'pitch'.
Hope that helps.

Thanks.

I just spoke to Chris at The Chain Gang and he was incredibly helpful. The GPZ900 and GPZ1100 both run a 530 chain so, through luck (er... incredible foresight and meticulous planning) the only part I have that won't match up is the cheapest one! The ZX10 runs a 532 chain which is very uncommon, but due to the odd sizing 530 sprocket conversions are readily available.

While they're expensive they custom make to order on a day's notice so I'll be getting the 530 front sprocket from them. I haven't checked out the rear sprocket that came with the wheel but I will probably replace that as well - to keep costs down for now I will probably run a cheap generic one.

The Chain Gang
Unit 5/617 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd
Seventeen Mile Rocks
(07) 3715 8990

More chain sizing info.

All 5xx chains have the same pitch. The first number is 8th of an inch pitch.

If a chain starts with 5xx it has a 5/8" pitch (distance between pins).

The second number is 8ths of an inch wide.

5xx = 5/8" or 15.875mm pin spacing

x20 = 1/4" (2/8") or 0.252" 6.40mm width

x25 = 2.5/8" or 0.313" or 7.95mm width

x30 = 3/8" or 0.375" 9.53mm width

You can see the 525 is halfway between a 530 and 520

(Works for other chains too i.e 4xx = 4/8" or 1/2" pitch or a 6xx = 6/8" or 3/4" pitch etc)

(width = the distance between the inside of the inside plates too.)

Don't fit wider chains on narrower sprockets even though they will physically fit. eg. A 530 chain over a 525 sprocket.

Top post Steve i didnt know any of that.
Cheers Brett