Chain question - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

st1100 · 10-10-2011, 07:20 PM

I am in the process of changing my chain on my 96 Shadow VLX with 20K miles on it.
I ordered a new O ring chain 525/120 as per OEM spec. I opened the pkg and noticed the new chain is wider then the chain currently on the bike.
I also noticed it is just a standard roller chain that is currently on the bike.
Is it possible to use a smaller chain like a 520 on a stock set up without any modifications? seems like the Previous owner changed it at one time and decided to use the cheapest chain.

Nehalem Dave · 10-11-2011, 01:35 AM

You should eyeball the sprockets to ensure that smaller chain did not round the edges. Departing from spec is iffy - sometimes it doesn't matter, sometimes it does. Excess chain and sprocket wear isn't the end of the world but might force replacing parts sooner than is the norm.

I view chains as equally important as my tires - only the best will do. The further and faster you go the more you flirt with trouble by using the iffy stuff.

gmck · 10-11-2011, 05:21 AM

Usually an o ring chain will look wider than non o ring even the same size. got to allow room for the o rings. usually on the side plates will tell the size. Chain will last longest when changed as a system, that is both sprockets. But if the sprockets show very little wear than it won't be a big difference.

10-10-2011, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
st1100 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: lancaster pa Posts: 33	Chain question I am in the process of changing my chain on my 96 Shadow VLX with 20K miles on it. I ordered a new O ring chain 525/120 as per OEM spec. I opened the pkg and noticed the new chain is wider then the chain currently on the bike. I also noticed it is just a standard roller chain that is currently on the bike. Is it possible to use a smaller chain like a 520 on a stock set up without any modifications? seems like the Previous owner changed it at one time and decided to use the cheapest chain.

10-11-2011, 01:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nehalem Dave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Oregon Coast Posts: 1,027	You should eyeball the sprockets to ensure that smaller chain did not round the edges. Departing from spec is iffy - sometimes it doesn't matter, sometimes it does. Excess chain and sprocket wear isn't the end of the world but might force replacing parts sooner than is the norm. I view chains as equally important as my tires - only the best will do. The further and faster you go the more you flirt with trouble by using the iffy stuff.

10-11-2011, 05:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
gmck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,270	Usually an o ring chain will look wider than non o ring even the same size. got to allow room for the o rings. usually on the side plates will tell the size. Chain will last longest when changed as a system, that is both sprockets. But if the sprockets show very little wear than it won't be a big difference.

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