520 Kits Vortex and Thrust Co.

[demon child]

Does anyone know the quality of a Vortex or Thrust Co. 520 kit? I refuse to use AFAM or Sprocket Specialist beacuse they "require" a quick change carrier for my application and I do not plan on changing out sprockets frequently enough.

[Degsy]

I only use sprocket specialists or afam unfortunately, as they are the best.

Vortex I would stay away from. Thrust co I have never heard of. How much are the quick change kits and what is your application?

derek

[a13x]

Care to elaborate why you'd stay away from Vortex sprockets?

Thanks.

[Awesome]

I'm getting away from 520 and never going back. They're useless and wear out way too fast.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by a13x
Care to elaborate why you'd stay away from Vortex sprockets?

Thanks.

'cos they're crap.

Seriously, they wear out way too fast.

Put an AFAM sprocket and a vortex sprocket next to each other and you can see the difference in build quality.

derek

[benVFR]

Not having researched this much my understanding is a 520 chain is just narrower then a 530 chain right?

Why on earth would you want to go to the narrower chain on a streetbike? I understand if it's a racebike and it's worth an extra 2hp or something but on the street... ????

[a13x]

Cause it's something to brag about when sitting around the cafe.

[Karaya One]

We sell 1000's of Vortex sprockets each year and NEVER have we had an issue with them.

The only complaint I do get is that they only make aluminum rears now, having dropped steel.

And - running 520 on a streetbike is asking for trouble. All that stopping and starting is what kills that chain / sprocket combo.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by Karaya One
We sell 1000's of Vortex sprockets each year and NEVER have we had an issue with them.

The only complaint I do get is that they only make aluminum rears now, having dropped steel.

And - running 520 on a streetbike is asking for trouble. All that stopping and starting is what kills that chain / sprocket combo.

Sorry, I should qualify my remarks that I thought the question was asked for racing purposes. Yes, Vortex are fine for the street, but I wouldn't use an aluminum sprocket for the track (actually, I wouldn't use one for the street, but that's just personal opinion..).

[demon child]

My application is a '98 Duc 916. I have to swap out the chain as the previous owner threw lithium grease all over it not knowing that chain was self lubricating. It was a bitch to clean off. Now, it is oxidizing and stained, and looks awful.

1. If I am going to swap out the chain, I might as well change the sprockets (it's time 19K) and bump the rear sprocket up a couple of teeth.

2. If I am going to change out the entire final dirve, my thought is convert to a 520 chain. I only put 8K mi on it a year, it will rust before it will wear.

AFAM & Sprocket Specialists want $400 for the kit and $160 for the quick change carrier alone which they require for Ducati's. I can get a Vortex kit on eBay for $140. The answer is obvious, however, I hate putting shit parts on my bike. It looks like you don't care.

[Degsy]

Firstly, there is no such thing as a self lubricating chain, just an FYI.

Secondly, you should be able to clean up the original chain with Kerosene and make it look like brand new.

I'll check on my bike (Duc999) and see what sprocket is on there. the previous owner changed it out for a new one and I thought it was an afam. I am interested to see if it is part of some kind of "quick-change" kit.

derek

[demon child]

Degsy-

I used WD-40, I'll use kerosene next time, thanks for the tip.

I thought o-ring chains contained lube inside them and did not require additonal lubrication? If they do require additional lube, do you use WD-40 or the high-end synthetic chain lube? Thanks, Brian

[OreoGaborio]

although there's seals w/ grease or whatever sealed inside, you still have to keep the outsides of the seals fresh.

Alot of us use Maxima Chain Wax... take it for a spin to warm up the chain, spray it down w/ WD or kerosene, scrub it good, wax it up, let it set, ready to go

[LuvDog]

Clean it with WD40 or kerosene and lube with Maxima Chain Wax.

As for which sprockets to use and what size chain... that's always up for debate.

I need a new chain and sprockets too and I'll most likely be going with a 525.

[Karaya One]

Chain Wax is messy.

Motorex 622 Strong is the best stuff out there.

[Rye]

Originally posted by benVFR
Not having researched this much my understanding is a 520 chain is just narrower then a 530 chain right?

Why on earth would you want to go to the narrower chain on a streetbike? I understand if it's a racebike and it's worth an extra 2hp or something but on the street... ????

For exactly that reason. Some people love looking for the little performance gains and chose not to leave things stock. If you've got to replace the setup why not go 520 and gain the cheapest hp you'll find....FREE. I run a Renthal front, DID, and Sprocket Specialist Titan Tough rear aluminum. After approx. 7-8 track days and a few thousand street miles, the setup shows minimal wear. If you buy quality items, and keep up with regular maintenance, the 520 setup will last nearly as long as the 530.

Brian...keeping the chain clean is important to keep friction between the plates down. But honestly, once the seal to the O or X is broken the lube will be lost and debris will attack the pin area. The chain will tighten at that link and rapidly accelerate wear. Go with a high tensile DID or RK 520 chain and you'll be fine. Although I'd like to learn more about this carrier issue. Perhaps it is related to a change in chain size? Perhaps the new carrier allows for a realignment to the countershaft sprocket with a 520?

[Stoneman]

I personally wouldn't put a 520 chain on a big ol' V-twin. Certainly'll never put one on my TL-R...

[RandyO]

cheapest way to go on a per mile basis, is OEM

[Paul_E_D]

I thought all ducs had 520s stock? Guess not...

[demon child]

Mine is a 525 stock.

[OreoGaborio]

if it's already a 525 i would'nt even bother making all the necessary changes to the 520... you're really not gonna notice any difference. If ya want to make a change that's noticable, swap to a bigger sprocket & give yourself some more speedo error

[ancosta]

What I am gathering here is that opinions on chains for dual purpose street/track bikes are varied.

My stock SV chain and sprocket is worn out, and I am looking to get a replacement. I hope for at least a few track days next year and 7-10k of street riding.

Any suggestions on chain/sprocket setups and brands would be helpful...

[Awesome]

OEM size at least, that's what I'm going back to on all my bike i think

[Rye]

Originally posted by hessogood
OEM size at least, that's what I'm going back to on all my bike i think

What have your bad experiences been with other than oem setups?

[gmdboston]

Originally posted by Rye
What have your bad experiences been with other than oem setups?

Too much mantainence.......