i was wanting to ask a couple questions here.

i need a new chain, i understand i need at least an oring chain. im on a budget. can i just put a 520 or 530 on my bike without changing the sprocket?

and i also noticed that there is quite a bit of play in my rear sprocket... what would that mean?

 

Ideally you want to replace the setup as a whole. chain and sprockets together. i suppose if your in a pinch you could replace a single part of it but realize that it will cause the new part to wear faster than if replaced all at the same time.

i just changed my chain and sprockets last weekend and after talking to a few shops they said that a 520 saves a lil weight but will also wear alot faster than the 530. and i think the price difference is negligable. my advice would be go with 530.

as for "play" in the rear sprocket what do you mean? are the nuts loose and just need to be tighted or something more serious. in anycase you should repair/replace before riding anyfarther before it breaks while your on the bike.

one more thing, when getting a chain MAKE SURE it has a riveted masterlink. not the clip on type. the clipon style spells disaster for streetbikes. they can come off at the most inopprotune time making for some nasty war wounds on the leg. tends to interupt the flow of your day.