Can you feel the difference in a 520 conversion?

It's been said that you can lose at least 2 lbs. of weight in going from a 525 chain and the steel stock rear sprocket (on a 998) to a 520 chain with an STM single piece (non-quick change) aluminum alloy sprocket. My question is, can you really feel the difference is losing these 2 lbs.? I realize it is rotating mass, especially the rear sprocket weight difference, but is it really something that you can feel. I mean it's not like going from aluminum to magnesium wheels, but it is even close to something you can feel? TIA

No.

Depending on the bike, it's like night and day.

Not on my 996. Went from 525 to 520 and back to 525. Never noticed any difference.

To my way of thinking unless you are right up there with the big boys racing it you would not notice it.

There are better ways to lose 2 pounds, start with the rider first and reduce the amount of weight the bike has to carry, this is not applicable of corse if you are a stick insect already!

It makes a difference, but not enough that you can "feel" the difference.

The only thing you need to accomplish this is buy two sprokets and a chain correct? Nothing other special to buy/change for the conversion??

Chaning the rear sproket up three requires a new chain anyways. Why not throw in the $30 and get a front sproket and just do the swap? Agree?

http://speedzilla.zeroforum.co...73952

Because the chain rotates at about 40% the speed of the wheel, and is partially sprung weight, and it has a small effective diameter, I'd say you'd 'feel' much more by focusing on wheels or even tires.

A 2lb saving on the chain (is it really that much?) is equivalent to at most 4oz on the back tire, which is all unsprung weight. With careful shopping that should be easily acheivable at nearly no cost.

Put a 520 on say a ZX-7R and tell me you don't feel "any" difference.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo329 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Put a 520 on say a ZX-7R and tell me you don't feel "any" difference. </TD></TR></TABLE>

No...not on a 998.

So, is that a yes?? (Shazaam, guess your's was a no?) Is all I need the two sprokets and a chain right? Nothing else cosmic about it? Ooops, this is for a 749s BTW.


Modified by galaxy at 10:07 AM 8/1/2005


Modified by galaxy at 10:08 AM 8/1/2005

I looked at the chain I was going to swap to and it's an EK MVX series. Their 520 is rated at 9,000lbs tensil strength. The DiD 520VM is rated at 8,050 and the 520ERV2 is rated at 8,250, per their web sites. You're telling me these chains are not strong enough, or questionable, on a street bike for a 520 conversion??? Especially on a 749? The Did 525ERV, one of the most rant and raved about chains on here was only rated at 8,270.

I don't think anyone has said they aren't strong enough. The question was whether you'd feel it. I don't thinbk you will, but just buy one, fit it, and find out.

I believe, or at least I got the impression anyways (maybe wrong) that Shazaam was alluding to the fact that it's not strong enough. The reason I was asking was because I want to change the rear sproket anyways. This makes a new chain mandatory anyways. Why not chip in the extra $30 for the front sproket and your done. Yea? I'm with you. I don't see me stretching any one of these chains to failure with a 749.

Galaxy, I was worried about this too but Turbo and a few others are all using 520s on 998/999s with no problems so I that's what I went with.

I would say that you are not going to feel much difference. But if you are changing the chain, you might as well change the sprocket, and in that case you might as well go to a 520. The modern 520 chains (properly maintained) will last you a very long time. If you change the gearing then you should feel a difference.

When it is time to change. Change to a 520. Count every ounce every time and it adds up in the end.

Bravo, Alex! There is the point exactly: Two pounds here, three ounces there, keep at it and you WILL feel a difference.