Trying to understand this gearing stuff.

1. Can someone tell me what "520" denotes when looking for new sprockets?

2. What is the stock gearing for an F3? 15 in the front? What about the rear?

3. If I go -1 in the front (and use stock rear sprocket), what size/brand chain should I get?

Thanks in advance

 

the best thing to do is get a combo kit go to sprocketcenter.com

 

15/43 is your stock gearing. 520 is the thickness of the chain. You probably have a 525 or maybe a 530 stock. It theoretically gives you a small weight savings. But not very much. Here, look into a kit like this.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/...062918R-2.html

That is for your bike.

 

1. 520 is the thickness of the chain and the spacing between the links. If you have 525 sprockets than you better get a 525 chain because otherwise it wont fit to well and is very unsafe. Its like trying to fit small clothes on a fat person. just doesnt work right. A 520 conversion kit is just changing everything from 525 to 520. Thats just your chain and sprockets. All it does is saves a little bit of weight and makes the chain thinner. It will snap easier though.

2. 15/43

3. You dont need to change anything if you just go with -1 up front. The stock chain will fit just fine. I use Vortex. Many other brands are just fine.

 

Generally it is a good idea to replace chain and sprocket at the same time. A worn chain will ruin new sprockets and vise - verse.

 

agreed. Get the stock 525 chain and sprocket and go down one on the front sprocket. going to a 520 chain saves on rotational weight and that's about it. it won't last NEARLY as long as the 525 chain and will need to be adjusted/replaced much more often.

racers and track junkies benifit from 520's, street riders dont.

 

and as a last thought...go DID chain!!! ;-)