Chain selection

Getting my 80 GS450 ready for the road.

• New Pirelli Road Demons
• EBC -pads 50 tooth rear , 14 tooth front...

and that's where I hit a problem - Stock chain isn't fitting and there seems to be almost too many choices.

Suggestions?

Cheap and useable or expensive and long lasting? Although I would bet that a GS450 doesn't put as much strain on a chain as a Harley dresser.

In reply to Dr. Hess:

I can get the parts through work @ cost so I would rather step up and not have to do this over and over!

Is the stock chain not fitting because you've so altered the sprocket ratios it's too long/short? Or is it because of weird modifications or such.

Chain replacements are easy, normally, so it's not a big job. A GS450 doesn't stress a chain much at all, so even a cheap chen-shing type will hold up for years, with proper maintenance.

I like the oilless O-Ring jobs. A little more pricey, but you do it less often.

Dan

I'm with Dan. Gimme an O ring chain any day, less mess etc. When riding enduros I always used them along with Sunstar steel sprockets, the combo lasted a long time compared to the guys running aluminum sprockets and non Oring chains.

You say you can get stuff through work; that's good. For those who can't D2Moto has O ring chains for ~$60.00. No affiliation, etc.

If you have the money for it, then an O-ring chain is the way to go. My friend put one on his Harley in Anchorage, AK, rode home to Texas and adjusted the chain once.

I put a 50 tooth rear sprocket on it - so I need a longer chain. I want to go O-Ring, but the 510 - 520 - 530 ratings confuse the hell out of me

Well, what kind of sprocket did you put on it? Is the sprocket a 510, 520, 525, etc. sprocket?

just looked it up,makes sense now..

530-110

what do the # designations mean ?

Chain Size Chart Chain Size Pitch Inner Width - roller

415 1/2 3/16

420 1/2 1/4

520 5/8 1/4

525 5/8 5/16

530 5/8 3/8

630 3/4 3/8

530-110: the 110 means 110 links in the chain. My CB900F has a 530-114, for example.

BTW, if you do go for an o-ring chain, D.I.D. is a good brand to go with.D.I.D 530VM X-ring chains have a good reputation.

DID, Tsubaki and RK have all been good for me.

Ordered a D.I.D O-ring chain $44 dealer cost!

Thanks guys!