what chain to use? 525 o-ring, x-ring?

jenloe · Jun 18, 2009

so im convinced i need a new chain but i have a few questions before diving in. i want to go OEM parts.
do i need to replace my sprockets at the same time?
what chain to use?
i am at a website called cheapcycleparts.com am im seeing labels such as
525 o-ring chain 130, 120, 110, 122
525 x-ring chain ...........
525mx chains.......

what am i looking at here? is the 525mx a motocross chain? is o-ring or x-ring better. any suggestions on which chain from this site.

thanks guys

project84 · Jun 18, 2009

The manual says to replace the front and rear sprocket when you replace the chain.

Whats year is your bike? For mine, the stock chain is a 520, with 110 links. So if I go to a 525 chain, I have to get 525 sprockets. This chart will exlpain the measurements http://www.moto-chains.com/site/898528/page/578189. The first digit in the chain size, in this case 5, is how many 8ths of an inch in the pitch, or from pin to pin. The last two digits are the width or thickness of the chain in 8ths of an inch. So a 520 is 5/8th" in pitch and 2.0/8th" in with. A 630 is 6/8th" which is 3/4" pitch and 3.0/8th" in width. Clear as mud?

O-ring and X-ring refers to the shape of the rubber seal in each link of the chain. X-ring is supposed to provide more surface contact area than o-ring. A good quality, properly installed o-ring chain should last just as long as the OEM chain did though, so its up to you what you replace it with. Most bikes come from the fatory with an o-ring chain made by DID or RK.

I'm pretty sure the 525MX is a motocross chain.

jenloe · Jun 18, 2009

i ride an 03 gsxr 600. i thought it was a 525 chain but our bikes are almost identical so i guess i was wrong. 520 right?

project84 · Jun 18, 2009

Sorry, I was wrong. Stock chain on the '01 - '05 600s are 525 110 links.

nysbadmk8 · Jun 18, 2009

Most people convert to a 520 setup, with new sprockets, Steel front and Hardend alum rear.. Cuts down on weight, and helps with a slight increase in accelration due to the fact that theres less recip. mass.

Some also go down a tooth or two on the front or go up a tooth or two in the rear for better accel.

boostenlebaron · Jun 18, 2009

easiest thing to do is buy a complete kit. driven has one thats nice but pricey as do rk and a few others. plan on spending around 150 for a kit, more if you buy the same seperately or less if you screw yourself and buy cheap parts. chain alone should be around 100.
the 01-03 600's use a 525-110 link chain. stepping up to a 520 is a no brainer. its less money, lighter, generally better quality than oem, and has not a single solitary disadvantage. now is also the time to think about regearing. -1 +2 is about as far as id go on a street driven bike but its up to the end user. that coupled with the 520 combo will make the biggest difference in your bike money can buy. itll be like a new bike.

what chain to use? 525 o-ring, x-ring?

jenloe

project84

jenloe

project84

nysbadmk8

boostenlebaron

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