So I've bin reading online about the difference between 520 and 530 chains/sprockets. Correct me if I'm wrong but the only difference is width (pitch is the same .625 inches/15.88mm). A 520 is .25 inches wide (6.35mm) and a 530 is .375 inches wide (9.52mm) and that their corresponding spockets are matching widths. With that info you could essentially run a 530 chain on a 520 sprocket but not the other way around because the 530 sprocket would be too wide for the 520 chain...

My confusion came when I was tring to figure out what kind of chain I have. My front and rear spockets are sunstar (steel) and stamped 520 but measure .375in (9.52mm) wide. My chain is a diamond with no other markings and measures .375in (9.52mm) wide. So whats the dillio here...

Thanks

 

You're absolutely right. 530 chain on a 520 sprocket, but not the other way around. As for what's stamped on your sprockets or chain I can't speak to. If they measure .375 at the teeth, then they are 530.

 

Ok thanks.

I plan on replacing my chain and sprockets, do you think its worth converting to 520? I've read that a street rider will not realize the weight difference or gain any advantages from it.?.

 

Chains are archaic in that the numbers refer to English measurements. Everything is in 8ths. The 5 of a 520 or 530 is pitch -- 5/8" pin c/c . The 20 25 30 is 2/8", 2.5/8" or 3/8" would be the distance between the inner plates.

It is possible to run a 530 on 520 sprockets but not sure how much side to side wear you'd get on the sprockets given the extra width. I ran 520 on my 1kRR didn't notice a heckuva lot of difference. May have squeezed out a mile or 2 per gallon extra but that was not really what I was going for. Should have dyno'd the snot out of her before/after but regrettably I didn't

 

I think that's only a question you can answer. What type of riding do you do? How much money do you have ? How often do you want to replace your chain and sprockets ?

As Chainstretcher said, unless you dyno it, are you really gaining anything measurable.