Super meteor 650 drive chain spec?

[michaelh]

Mandated safety regulation

Yes.
Idiotic for a belt drivetrain, as so many other regulations. It's simply there because it was there for a chaintrain. And thats not the only one. To change the train, the german TÜV needs a detailed strenght report as well as transmission ratio report, ... and of course a chain guard And then, if your human counterpart is in a good mood, he'll put in the papers

But that's not a real issue and would never stop me to install your/a belt drive.

 

[Bazza]

Hi All

I’m needing to replace my drive chain after only 2500 miles, can anyone let me know what size/spec I’m looking for please? I know I’m wanting an ORing or Xring but not sure what size etc?…
Thank you

DID 525 VX3 or4, 108 link. replaced mine a few weeks ago, bought a 100 link by mistake, so i bought a 116 link, took 8 off, and added to the 100. It turned out to be cheaper for both than a 108 link alone. crazy, but I now have a spare chain.Bonus.

 

[Sliphorn]

DID 525 VX3 or4, 108 link. replaced mine a few weeks ago, bought a 100 link by mistake, so i bought a 116 link, took 8 off, and added to the 100. It turned out to be cheaper for both than a 108 link alone. crazy, but I now have a spare chain.Bonus.

..
Everything I have read about chain size for both the SM and SG is that they are a 520 chain, 108 link for the SM and 106 for the SG. So how does a 525 fit on your SM?
..

 

[GarethR]

Chain sizes are in eighths of an inch. First number is pitch, the two final numbers are width, with an imaginary decimal point between them.

520
Pitch = 5 x 1/8 = 5/8 inch
Width = 2.0 x 1/8 = 1/4 inch

525
Pitch = 5 x 1/8 = 5/8 inch
Width = 2.5 x 1/8 = 5/16 inch

Which means that a 525 chain would fit (loosely) on a sprocket that was intended for a 520 chain.

 

[Sliphorn]

Chain sizes are in eighths of an inch. First number is pitch, the two final numbers are width, with an imaginary decimal point between them.

520
Pitch = 5 x 1/8 = 5/8 inch
Width = 2.0 x 1/8 = 1/4 inch

525
Pitch = 5 x 1/8 = 5/8 inch
Width = 2.5 x 1/8 = 5/16 inch

Which means that a 525 chain would fit (loosely) on a sprocket that was intended for a 520 chain.

.
Thanks for this. Would not a 525 wear out sooner than a 520 on a sprocket intended for a 520? I’d think the looseness would accelerate wear.

 

[Bazza]

..
Everything I have read about chain size for both the SM and SG is that they are a 520 chain, 108 link for the SM and 106 for the SG. So how does a 525 fit on your SM?
..

Well, you're right, it would appear I was wrongly advised when purchasing my 525. Lateral movement aside, it does not affect overall performance. And if the wear becomes too bad I will replace sprockets as well as chain.

 

[Cbxlr8r1047]

At 7,400 miles, the stock DID 520VF chain on my son's SM650 is shot. Lubed religiously, adjusted at roughly every 500 to 1,000 miles (depending on stretch) and dead straight on the sprockets at each adjustment.
I can't find this chain or its specs on DID's website. I sent an email to DID asking for the full specifications of their 520VF chain and am awaiting a response.

I see this DID 520VF chain on Ninja 250, CBR300 and GSX250R bikes...bikes that are much lighter and with less power and torque. Most certainly, this bike is too heavy for this chain. The GSX250R calls for a DID 520VF or RK 520KRO replacement chain. While I can't find the specs for the DID chain, I can find them for the RK chain...which is a budget chain. It is not an apples to apples...but as a replacement chain for the GSX250R...it would most likely have to meet specs.



When looking at the RK 520KRO chain, it is for bikes 250cc to 400cc. It has a Tensile strength of 29.4kN...this converts to 6,600 lbs tensile strength...not adequate for the SM650's weight and power.

We are ordering new sprockets and a new chain (RK 520ZXW) with 9,450lbs tensile strength. I think that this will be a stop-gap measure while we save for a belt drive kit.

Regarding belt drives...let me digress.
I have a 2006 Vrod Street Rod (factory 120HP and 80 lb/ft TQ) with a curb weight of 657lbs. I have 27,000 hard miles on that belt (31,000 total miles on it). 6,000RPM clutch dump burnouts, wheelies (when drag racing), 9,200RPM shifts (raised redline from 8,800 with Power Vision)...I am merciless on that bike but she is always maintained. Over the course of 27,000 miles, that belt has stretched less than 1mm of rotation on the eccentric cammed belt adjusters. Vrods have been taken to 150HP and 100lb/ft with narrower than stock belts (shaved to accommodate wider swingarms) with few problems from the belts.

The point is...I doubt that a belt will ever have to be replaced on a SM650 unless it is worn from misalignment.

 

[Bill S]

At 7,400 miles, the stock DID 520VF chain on my son's SM650 is shot. Lubed religiously, adjusted at roughly every 500 to 1,000 miles (depending on stretch) and dead straight on the sprockets at each adjustment.

Most certainly, this bike is too heavy for this chain.

Regarding belt drives...let me digress.


The point is...I doubt that a belt will ever have to be replaced on a SM650 unless it is worn from misalignment.

I really appreciate your thorough post.
You convinced me into a belt conversion winter weekend task !

I'm spoiled with my Honda shaft drive on my other bikes