I've heard alot about sprocket upgrades and such (520 conversion, +1, -2 and stuff) and I was thinking about getting new sprockets while I have everything apart so I have a couple of questions. 1- what is a 520 conversion? lol 2- What kind of setup would you recommend for me? 3- Do you have to get a different kind of chain if you change any part of the setup?

 

the 520 conversion converts your standard 530 chain to a 520. the 520 is lighter, but also weaker.Your sprockets will wear out faster as well as your chain. You cannot interchange 520 and 530 parts. the chain will still be the same type, being a roller chain, but the size of the links are different so they wont interchange. A 520 chain on a 600 is ok in my book, but on a liter bike, I wouldnt suggest it.

Im not sure what you are looking for, or what bike it is, so its hard to recommend a setup. -1 +2 is the most common change for better acceleration, it gets you into the power quicker. My current bike is +2 in the rear, but the front sprocket is stock. My next step will be the -1 +2 as I am looking for a bit more acceleration.

On my wifes bike, a ninja 636, it had the quick acceleration kit when we purchased it... which is just the -1 +2 sprockets. It was far too aggressive for her. I put it back to stock. The bike would actually power wheelie in 3rd gear. You had to be careful with the throttle. I put the bike back to stock for her sake. Im not exactly sure how much difference it will make on other bikes, but that particular bike, it was very aggressive in comparision. Also, it had a bad vibration at 60 mph with that setup due to the increased rpm's. Putting it back to stock resolved the vibration issue.

 

From my experiences. 520 chain life span isn't any shorter. My sprockets teeth are still good after a years worth and 10k miles. If your just street then I wouldn't even recommending changing sprocket sizes. You'll speedo will be off, will cost another $100 to fix your speedo with a healer, mpg will go down, you don't really need it unless you plan on drag racing from red light to red light.

 

I don't intend to drag race from stop light to sto light, but I wouldn't count that out lol. I really appreciate all of the information! So what advantages are there on a lighter chain? Just weight reduction? And is a speedo healer just like a gear or something? (it would be going on a 95 900RR) Does anyone know the stock tooth count for my bike?(to see if my current sprocket is stock)

Another thing I just noticed, I bought a 96 900RR back rim off of ebay, the sprocket that was on it is a 43 tooth 520- so the sprocket wouldnt do me any good correct?

 

I'd take the sprocket that came on the rim, and TOSS it. you dont want to use an unknown sprocket with a new chain, or used chain with new sprockets. when you do one, you replace the chain AND sprockets(being both) to prevent excessive wear from occurring.

 

the lighter chain is less resistance. it technically should allow more power to the wheel. I dont know if it has ever been measured or not, but I wouldnt think it would make much difference.

As for the sprocket. No, it wont work if your bike has a 530 chain on it. And, like HR said, its never a good idea to mix sprockets. they really should be replaced as a set.

The speedo healer is an electronic device that corrects the mph. Being that yours is a 95 900, im not sure if you need one. On newer bikes, there is a speed sensor that reads the rotation of iether the front sprocket, or a part of the internal transmission. The speedo healer installs inline between the sensor that speedo and it can be calibrated to the correct mph, but on yours, im not sure. I think yours is mechanical.

But since your on a 900, I dont think I would do the 520 conversion. They work well for the 600's, but the torque your bike puts out, nearly double that of a 600,I would just stick with the 530.

 

I will definately take your advice and stick with the 530 setup, my 900rr has the speedo sensor that mounts onto the sprocket cover if that helps determine if I need one? You said your bike was +2, do you notice a difference in it? Did you have to change the length of your chain? Or do you have to move the rim up or back?

 

I didnt have to lengthen the chain or anything, my stock chain was long enough. It did shorten my wheelbase a little as it put the wheel close to the front of the adjustment on the swing arm. But there was enough room. If you do the -1 along with the plus 2, it will offset how much the + two moves it forward and a stock size chain can be used without any problems. Im not sure on your bike if just going up 2 will still work, all I know is it worked on my bike. Yours may be different. But the -1+2 should fit fine.

there was a definate difference. The bike got into its power a lot sooner. the 1000RR's have a pretty tall first gear and it did what I was looking for. I will be going with -1+2 next, but again, my bike is geared tall.

If Im not mistaken, the 900RR is geared shorter and therefore known for being a crazy wheelie bike. If you have a hard time accelerating with keeping the front tire down, a sprocket change may not be a very good idea. The sprocket change will compound this problem. But, if thats what your looking for, the change will make it much easier to do so. It all depends on what your after. Like I said earlier, on my wifes 636, it was too much. It certainly wont make you faster if you cant keep the front end down. Just something to consider.

They list the 900RR, so Im assuming that you can get one for your bike. It should be a simple plug in.

http://www.speedohealer.com/eng/order.htm

 

The 520, 525, 530 are measurements for the "width" of the chain. Some people think smaller is weaker. You need to check the "Tensile strength" of the chain. The 520 kit is more popular therefor cheaper, and they do make chains strong enough for the bigger bikes. I just bought a kit off eBay (moto-heaven), they claim to know their sht. I got an EK chain "MVXZ" (9000lbs tensile strength) which is recamended for bikes with up to 100 hp. The same 530 chain is rated at 9300lbs and is good up to 145 hp. If you dont plan on racing the bike, there is no advantage for the 520 swap. (other than saving a couple bucks). Lighter, less reciprocating mass dont mean sht on the street. And aluminum sprockets supposedley wear out faster than the steel ones. Just like everyone else said , replace BOTH sprockets AND the chain at the same time.