SuzukiSavage.com - 520 chain conversion

wiguzziman Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 57	520 chain conversion 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
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28375 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #1 - 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.
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wiguzziman

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Re: 520 chain conversion
Reply #2 - 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

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TheSneeze Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 1201 Northern Nevada Gender:	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #3 - 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.
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wiguzziman

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Re: 520 chain conversion
Reply #4 - 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

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TheSneeze Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 1201 Northern Nevada Gender:	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #5 - 02/15/22 at 22:21:51 I am thinking the same thing.
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28375 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #6 - 02/16/22 at 08:29:39 I had to go from 12" shocks to 11" to avoid the same problem.
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wiguzziman Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 57	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #7 - 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
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SpamyToo Full Member Offline Posts: 231	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #8 - 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.
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wiguzziman Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 57	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #9 - 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
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #10 - 02/17/22 at 16:53:03 The plastic cutting boards are good for rough times. Shape it, strap it on
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BabyboyKush

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Re: 520 chain conversion
Reply #11 - 02/18/22 at 09:22:39

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/17/22 at 16:53:03:

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.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #12 - 02/21/22 at 03:59:30 That is problem solving! Good answer..
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TheSneeze

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Re: 520 chain conversion
Reply #13 - 02/21/22 at 07:31:09

BabyboyKush wrote on 02/18/22 at 09:22:39:

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 02/17/22 at 16:53:03:

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.

Any chance you could post a picture of that set up? tia...

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Every twenty minute job is a stripped thread away from being a three day ordeal.

'87 LS650h Savage Street Tracker
'86 LS650g Savage (parts bike)
'81 Kawasaki KZ750e ELR tribute

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TZK Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 58	Re: 520 chain conversion Reply #14 - 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
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