Guys,

I am putting on a 520 conversion kit on a 02 cbr954. everything looks fine so far... but when I put on the NEW front sprocket, it is way thinner...Shouldn't there be a spacer or something for the conversion to the thinner front sprocket??

HELP!!!!

Thanks,

Maxx

should there be a spacer for the front sprocket when converting to a 520 chain? It looks WAY thinner and could cause a problem with alignment???

As far as I know you don't need any spacers or anything. I did the 520 conversion on mine and didn't need anything, just swapped the sprockets and chain and off I went. The 520 sprocket will be noticably thinner than the stock cuz it's supposed to be, it's a smaller size. Also though when I did mine I noticed that the stock front sprocket was pretty wide due to the rubber cushion thingys on the side of the sprocket, I guess to help with chain noise. The Vortex 520 sprocket I put on didn't have any of the rubbers, just solid steel and nothing else. This could cause the new sprocket to look even smaller. I'd just put it all on and see what happens... you'll be able to tell right away if it's out of alignment, but I doubt it will be as long as you've got all matching parts it should be fine

Numbers on the sprockets face out -- front and rear.

the front should have an arrow on it.
are you racing or tracking? otherwise, i wouldn't have gone with a 520 on a liter bike...it's plenty strong and all but really a useless conversion. i just did it on my F4i which will end up being track and canyons only and honestly, the difference isn't all that....if anything...it spools up faster when i'm going like 80+ but otherwise...zelch.

I got an rk x ring 520 kit today, 15 front, 43 rear. I have the same problem that maxx noticed, the overall thickness is thinner on the 520 drive sprocket than the stock 16t 530 front sprocket with the rubber on it. Is there a thrust spacer to take the end play out, it cant be good for the drive shaft to have the side to side slop in it.

yo mang...there shouldn't be that side to side slop on it. i got AFAM 520 set and the sprocket is thinner, but the hole part of the sprocket is just as thick as the 525 set...and with the way the bolt goes in there shouldn't be any slop.

Hey all,

I ended up fixing the "slop" problem on the front sprocket by machining a spacer. I'd recommend this to anyone experiencing the same problem, otherwise, the chain could be damaged over time by excessive play (1/4") between the front sprocket and the engine case.
I called Vortex and they said that it was FINE to run the sprocket without any other parts (spacers). What Idiots they are, don't listen to the "advise" they gave me unless you want a chain to break somewhere out on the road, ruining your day!

Just a thought...

MAXX

What Tahoe said -- the hub of the sprocket should be the same thickness as the hub of the stock. The actual teeth will appear offset due to their thinner size. If your counter sprocket has slop in it then don't ride until you get it sorted out. You don't want to have to change the counter sprocket shaft.

Check the package, it sounds like maybe you got the wrong sprocket.

Did you just get a 520 front sprocket, if thats the case than it will be thinner because your rear will be bigger than the chain links and the front sprocket.

I dont know if thats what is being said but thats just what i got when you only put front sprocket 520 conversion
You need both front and rear sprockets as a set if you are changing the 525 to a 520 set

I am running into the same thing on my F4. Did you end up putting the spacer on the inside or outside? I am using Vortex sprockets with the RK chain that came as a kit and it says 1999-2000 CBR F4 on the front, so theoretically it is the correct kit.

My Driven sprockets fit the way they should have w/o the use of any additional spacers.