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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> 520 chain conversion
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Message started by wiguzziman on 02/15/22 at 14:05:53

Title: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/15/22 at 14:05:53

I'm doing a belt to chain conversion on the rear of my 96 Savage. I plan on using 520 chain and sprockets. Will an 18 tooth front sprocket have enough case clearance using a 520 "O" ring chain? Thanks for your input. Carry on!! wiguzziman

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by Serowbot on 02/15/22 at 14:15:58

Read here.
Chain conversion for the Savage/S40
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1174239333

I went with 17/43... and no regrets.
Any taller and I think I would lose power.
4th is now like 5th.
The Savage only has so much to give. ;D

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/15/22 at 14:24:06

The reason that I asked about the 18 tooth front sprocket is with my current set-up of 17/45 the top run of the chain is dragging on the swingarm just before it gets to the front sprocket. Chain tension is set properly. Also I am using 17" wheels front and back from a 08-12 Kawasaki 250 Ninja. I know some other folks that have done this wheel swap and dont have the chain rubbing issue, but don't know what combo of sprockets they are using. Carry on!! wiguzziman

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by TheSneeze on 02/15/22 at 17:21:30

I am using a 17/43 530 chain. One tooth on the front sprocket I don't think will make enough difference at the swing arm pivot. I am thinking about wrapping some ABS or similar around the front of the swing arm and let it rub. Make it replaceable. Haven't gotten there yet, so still thinking about it.

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/15/22 at 19:20:30

Some bikes came with what they call a "chain slider"; kind of a rubber cover for the front part of the swingarm/swingarm pivot area. I'm going to try and adapot one of those to the swingarm. Probably wouln't rub at all when the bikes on the ground with a bid of suspension sag. My situation is with the bike on my lift with a jack under the bike and the swingarm hanging down as far as the rear shocks will let it. The chain rubbing will most likely go away when the bike's sitting on the ground on it's own weight. Carry on!! wiguzziman

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by TheSneeze on 02/15/22 at 22:21:51

I am thinking the same thing.

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by Serowbot on 02/16/22 at 08:29:39

I had to go from 12" shocks to 11" to avoid the same problem.

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/16/22 at 13:17:00

That's interesting. I currently have 12 1/2" shocks on the back. I really don't want to run shocks that are that any shorter, so maybe I'll have to come up with some other solution. Guess I try the above mentioned chain slider and see if I can make that work. Carry on!! wiguzziman

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by SpamyToo on 02/17/22 at 00:27:51

I think most run a 18 / 52 so they clear the swingarm. So if its hitting, might be the long shocks. 12-12.5 in shocks I think ought to still work.

Might be the lil 520 sags more than a 525 or 530.

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/17/22 at 03:57:46

So, you're saying that an 18 tooth front sprocket/520 chain combo has enough case clearance? That was my original question if an 18 tooth front sprocket had enough case clearance. Good to know. I just may step up to an 18 tooth front. Carry on!! wiguzziman

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/17/22 at 16:53:03

The plastic cutting boards are good for rough times.
Shape it, strap it on

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by BabyboyKush on 02/18/22 at 09:22:39

6B747275686F5E6E5E66747833010 wrote:

The plastic cutting boards are good for rough times.
Shape it, strap it on

I took a 3" long section of black PVC about 4" in diameter and cut a rectangle out of it (so the inner curve where I affixed it would match the slight curve of the swingarm diameter). Used automotive tape. Them dremmeled a slight "trough" on the top for the chain to run through. Works great a year later.

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/21/22 at 03:59:30

That is problem solving! Good answer..

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by TheSneeze on 02/21/22 at 07:31:09

4F6C6F746F627446787E650D0 wrote:

[quote author=6B747275686F5E6E5E66747833010 link=1644962753/0#10 date=1645145583]The plastic cutting boards are good for rough times.
Shape it, strap it on

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by TZK on 02/22/22 at 14:29:06

I have to wonder how hard is this to do and what is the benefit it of doing this conversion

Title: Re: 520 chain conversion
Post by wiguzziman on 02/22/22 at 15:00:41

The conversion from belt drive to chain drive on the Savage/S40 isn't that hard to to. The pulleys just need to be replaced with the front and rear sprockets of your choice and the appropiate 520 drive chain.

As to why; well it's like a lot of things connected to motorcycles and life in general I guess. It's a matter of choice and pereferance. If you're happy with the style of the Savage/S40 and the belt drive that's great. I, on the other hand didn't like the style of the bike (cruiser), nor the belt drive. I knew that the bike had a lot of potential to be made into something more to the style of my liking/choice. The bike has great "bones", but isn't the style of bike that I like. Folks can like/appreciate a bike, but still change it to suit themselves.

As for the 520 chain conversion questions/issues that I had I'm happy to say that all my issues have been resolved. I have gone from a 17/45 sprocket combo to a 18/47 combo and the chain rubbing on the front of the swingarm problem is solved. The chain doesn't rub on the swingarm any more. Another thing that I've found is that there is plenty of case clearance with the 18t front sprocket and the 520 chain (11mm at the tightest point).

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with suggestions and solutions to my questions!! Carry on!! wiguzziman