Chain size

[MarkB]

With a rather tired 530 chain still on my drum-brake Strada, does anyone know of any reason not to go to a slimmer 520 chain, with the appropriate sprockets?

Thanks for any thoughts, Mark.

[morini_tom]

Can't think of a reason not to. 520 is standard size on a dart.

I run a good quality regina NON o ring 520 chain on my 501 dart and never had any issues. On a low power, infrequently used bike I prefer to use a non o ring chain and be thorough on cleaning and lubricating, but everyone has their own preference on that I suppose.

[danomar]

I converted the sprockets on my 3.5 Sport to a 520 many years ago and have had zero issues. With its moderate output, the 350 could probably get by with even smaller links, too, but I know of no one with appropriate hardware.

[72degrees]

I run a 520 chain on the ex Dani Muller 'supermoto' YZ450F which came with a dyno chart claiming 58 BHP. Also my tuned 604 Nordwest which produced 55 BHP. A chain has a much harder life on a single but I've had no issues using RK Tagasako HD non o-ring on those. Mind you, the YZ is strictly speed hill climb only. The Nordwest did a fair mileage on the road though. I must get round to a conversion on the 2C/375. I did on the 350 hill climber I ran for a couple of years. The only issue was when using a largish gearbox sprocket the clutch actuation lightly rubbed on the sprocket - but I may have got it on backwards The 250 uses a different sprocket carrier and rear sprocket though, so I'm not sure they would be easilyavailable off the shelf in 520. No problem getting one made up however, so I must revisit that idea.

[MarkB]

The 520 chain and sprockets have just arrived from NLM - thanks for the positive comments. When Tom mentioned that they were standard on the Dart, I thought that's got to be good enough for an early Strada.

[EVguru]

The 250 uses a different sprocket carrier and rear sprocket though, so I'm not sure they would be easilyavailable off the shelf in 520. No problem getting one made up however, so I must revisit that idea.

The sprocket carrier is the same six bolt version as a double drum Strada (160mm rear drum), Morini went to common rear drum size on the disc braked machines.

[72degrees]

The 250 uses a different sprocket carrier and rear sprocket though, so I'm not sure they would be easilyavailable off the shelf in 520. No problem getting one made up however, so I must revisit that idea.

The sprocket carrier is the same six bolt version as a double drum Strada (160mm rear drum), Morini went to common rear drum size on the disc braked machines.

I know 530 sprockets are available, or where last time I changed it,, as for an early Strada, but I'm guessing 520 would need to be a one off?

[MarkB]

My early Strada has the 160mm rear drum, and NLM had run out of 520 sprockets so got one (presumably part of a batch) made up - £30.