530 chain conversion sprockets

[bikeseamus]

I have a 1981 CSR 1000 with tired chain and sprockets, and I want to change to a 530 chain. Ebay has about 377,437,484,389 kits available for pre 1980 bikes, to get rid of the original 630 chain, but none for my 81 CSR. JT makes a rear sprocket that converts, but not a countershaft sprocket. Anyone out there know of a set of sprockets that will upgrade to a 530? The 630 was fine in its day, but the metallurgy today on 530 chains approach 11,000 pounds tensile strength, I am a touring kinda guy, 530s are more common, etc. etc... as you guys know. Anyone out there had success converting a 1981 or 1982 CSR or LTD 1000 to 530? Thanks.

[MFolks]

Try these websites:

Sprockets And Drive Chains
SprocketSpecialists (not sure if still in business)
SunStar
REBEL GEARS CUSTOM MADE MOTORCYCLE SPROCKETS ANY SIZE
PMPsprockets Motorcycle Sprockets Custom motorcycle sprockets
Schnitz Motorsports, Inc. Motorcycle Performance Sportbike Parts & Products for your Hayabusa, ZX-14, GSXR1000, ZX-10 and many others!
JT Sprockets
Precision
D & G Chassis - Dragbike parts for Hayabusa, Kawasaki, Suzuki

[bikeseamus]

Thanks, Mike
I'll do the search, then post the results. It might save someone else a lot of time screwing around.

[Geonerd]

Yea, just call a few of those companies. They can look up a corresponding 530 sprocket/chain set for you. The JT people are supposed to be pretty helpful.

[bikeseamus]

Yup
Many many companies and websites. Spent 3 hours talking and looking and reading. JT is most helpful.

They offer 1 of the 2 I need. The search goes on.

If it continues as it has, I'll just give up and concentrate on other bikes.

Seems like I have a freak on my hands that no one knows anything about.

Kawasaki is too busy on their airplanes and supertankers and ATVs to give a **** about helping anyone with motorcycles.
Oh well.

Maybe Kawasaki should just give up on bikes and go elsewhere, if customer support is such a joke to them.
The factory service manual I just got is also full of misinformation, and an ex Kawi Service manager I spoke with tonight said I am a fool to persue it any further, because the tinkertoy crankshaft in my bike is junk anyway.

Looks like the scrapyard is the next stop, as I move ahead to Yamahas,Post 1991 Triumphs, Aprilias, Old Guzzis and a few others with better customer support.

On Kawis, for me, if it is a 1980 or earlier I am all in. After that, nope.

Tomorow I may change my mind, but as for now I'm sick of this fruitless search.

[MFolks]

Z1 Enterprises, Inc. - Quality New Parts for Vintage Japanese Street Motorcycles may be able to help, as this is where most of us old bike owners get parts.

[kopcicle]

My experience with most of the conversions from 630 to 530 on evilbay is the sprockets are fine and the chains are crap .

~kop

[Geonerd]

Found a reference to your CSR bike in this catalog.
http://www.dixieinternational.com/do...1cat/02_jt.pdf

Front is a 522 x 15 and rear is 501 x 39. Stock 630 chain is 630x96





This ought to be enough info for JT to go with. They 'should' be able to find 530 equivalent sprockets.


Here's a handy calculator, if you want to fiddle with gearing, etc.
Sprocket and Chain Length Calculator

[Geonerd]

630 (JTR501 series) 42T Rear Sprocket OEM: Alternative<br>Equivalent 530 Series Sprocket JTR488. from Z1 Enterprises, Inc.

630 (JTR501 series) 42T Rear Sprocket
TU24-9609
OEM: Alternative
Equivalent 530 Series Sprocket JTR488.
JT Sprocket 42T Rear Steel Sprocket for 630 chain. 6-bolt with a 80mm center


I can't find a 530 equivalent for the front - maybe that's where JT left you hanging....

[bikeseamus]

You are right. A patient helpful person at JT helped me and came up with the same results... their site seems to be the best for comparing dimensions. The 530 rear actually fits a 750... but Kawasaki didn't duplicate the pattern for the front, so I'll ask anyone here if the keeper bolt that retains the countershaft sprocket is left or right thread. The factory service manual doesn't say, and the old bolt is stubborn.
You guys are very helpful, and I do appreciate your efforts. I have a few more sources to check, so I may end up with a custom cut front sprocket, we shall see. I will post my search results so others may know. This bike is going to end up with an X ring 530 chain. The search goes on. Thanks again.

[MFolks]

I'd imagine your bolt will be the standard right hand thread bolt, as mine is on my 1982 GPz 1100 B2. When changing sprockets, I put my bike in gear, put the front tire against a sturdy wall,and have a helper apply the brakes, while I use a 1/2" breaker bar with a socket to fit the bolt.

My bike has the special locking washer with tabs, that must be released to unlock the sprocket bolt(it prevents the bolt from coming out during use).

[bikeseamus]

Mike
Thanks for that, and Sandy at Rebel Gears found me a set of 530 sprockets. I can even gear it a bit taller with some tooth options. Waiting on the shift shaft seals, which no one seems to know whether removing the tranny plate is necessary to install.
The service manual says yes, other members say no, but they all seem to be guessing, because no one has simply said they have done it, either way. Pretty strange situation.
It would be nice to hear from a vintage Kawasaki Tech who has done it.
In any case, Rebel Gears had my solution for me, everyone else said no or struck out by not being able to stock or locate 530 sprockets. They get all my business from this day forward, based upon customer service. Helps the goodguys win. Thanks to everyone else, too. Great site.

[Geonerd]

If the front sprocket is held on with a master bolt, the sprocket's bolt holes are irrelevant. Find one with the correct splines to fit the shaft and you should be close. You may also have to shim the sprocket to match the lateral position. Hope it all works out!

[MFolks]

Whenever replacing seals on splined shafts, wrap some tape around the splines to prevent tearing the fragile lip of the seals, also a light coating of grease helps in sliding things together on shafts. If it were me, I'd be removing the cover so seal replacement will be much easier(especially on the small seals(clutch push rod, & shifter shaft) Some deep sockets, grease, hammer & a block of wood has worked for me in the past, just make sure the seal is straight, not crooked when installing it. If you have access to a hydraulic press, or a rack and pinion press, both are good ways to press out & re-install seals.

[bikeseamus]

Thanks, Mike
Come to AMA Vintage Days on July 20 to the 22nd and I owe you beer. Best and biggest swapmeet in the World. None even come close.

[kimsmith4807]

The good folks over at Z1 Enterprises helped me with my conversion. They couldn't match the ratio exactly but gave me the option of one tooth on the front sprocket either over or under.

[bikeseamus]

Rebel gears had the parts, knew their stuff, returned my messages, and can't be stumped on ratios.

The good are many> The best are few. Among the best, and probably the single very best, is Rebel Gears.
Common requests are easily filled by the good. Takes one of the best to understand unusual requests and take care of it in good time. Rebel Gears deals with unusual requests every day, makes and sells only the finest metallurgy and optimum ratios for specific needs.... courteous, smart, know how to listen, and take care of business like a lightning bolt. Nobody else gets a nickel of my money when it comes to sprockets from now on.

[MFolks]

Happy you got your new sprockets, enjoy the ride!

[bikeseamus]

Mike
Thanks to you, Buddy. Before your post, I had never heard of Rebel Gears.
Free Beer to you at Mid Ohio this year, Brother. Springfield to Lexington aint no hill for a climber. July 20 to the 22nd.
You can stay in my vendors spot and be in the center of it, no hotel reservations required. Plan on it. OK? Thanks again, Seamus

[MFolks]

Thanks, I enjoy helping fellow riders of these older "Dinosaurs" keeping them on the road. I'm always "mining" the internet for older Kawasaki motorcycle information.


The Old 4 Cylinder Dinosaur

Many of you, who are owners of older bigger 4 cylinder Kawasaki’s, may have noticed when out for a ride for a snack or a “Cold One” how a crowd will gather next to your bike.

Statements will be made about how they had one, or their Fathers, Brothers or Uncles owned one and how fast it was, and how for the most part, the newer, faster, sports bikes on the street tend to be ignored when you drive up on your “Dinosaur”.

Sure, the older bikes cannot compete with today’s motorcycles in handling and acceleration, but they can sure turn heads when they rumble down the streets exhausting through a nice 4 into 1 collector.

If the owner of a new sport bike wonders why the interest in your bike, ask him/her in 20-30 years will his/her bike attract as much notice as your’s does today? Our older bikes are like the “Muscle Cars” of the 70’s.

Mtbspeedfreak wrote:
I cannot believe the number of compliments I get on my bike! Random guys (mostly ) who roll down a window at a stoplight, guys at the muffler shop, hanging out at the motorcycle shops around town.

Heard quite a few stories- "I wanted one but my GF said no, glad I listened because I married her" and the occasional "a friend of mine was killed on one..." Pull up to bike night and the Harley guys will come over, the occasional crotch rocket riding squid will mumble a compliment under his breath, and sure I get a lot of "why do you ride THAT old bike?!?" Truth is, I quite honestly wouldn't trade it for nearly anything!

Sheldon bourgeoi wrote:
I must admit, it is a pretty good feeling when you park your bike at the local stop, and people come up to it to have a look. It's even better when your getting gas, and some middle aged guy comes up to you "reminiscing" about how he had the same bike back in high school. Then, as he walks away to leave, he hands you his name and phone number on a piece of paper, then tells you to call him if you ever decide to sell it. That's happened to me more than once!

Steel Panther wrote:
The old inline fours are cool. They are my favorite bikes. The ol' Z1R with a good exhaust, made music, not noise. The vertical twins are pretty cool too. Every once in a while I'll stumble across a gem someone has preserved or restored. They always draw my attention. Cool thread, brings back memories.

roy-b-boy-b wrote:
Amen Brother. It happens to me all the time. A guy was checking out my bike real good yesterday. He had owned the Kawasaki dealership in town when the Mach II tripples came out.

Househunter wrote:
I bought my '78 KZ1000 in 1983 "BC" (Before Children) Had not been licensed since '94 until last summer. Since July '10, I put over 10K miles on her. I too have been amazed at the number of people commenting or passing on the highway and giving a "thumbs up" as they go buy. The wife wanted me to sell it many times but I just had to keep her (and the wife too). So glad I did!!!!


Tfh903 wrote:
AMEN...... Sometimes the younger ones ask me if it is a new bike, I tell them it will be 39 years old in September 2011 (4 digit serial). How many other bikes can be worth more than 5 times their original showroom sell price when they are 39 years old, and can still kick A## over a Harley twice it's size?

Mtbspeedfreak wrote:
Haha yeah I hear ya! Someone came up to me and honestly said "I didn't know they made a reproduction model of those old Kawasakis." I said, "Nope, no reproduction, this one is 35 years old!"

PS- this was halfway down the Baja Peninsula, just outside Guerrero Negro.

Linsk wrote:
I had my 80 kz 1000 for 31 years I remember when it was invisible. This past year my cousin and I decided to take his 12 year old son up to americade with us. Every were we stopped people will come up and check out my bike. everybody has a story and I like hearing them. On the fourth day my godson came up to me and asked me why nobody talks about my dads bike. So iI explained to him what a classic was. I said to him I will leave my bike to him when I go.He just smiled and said I think your bike is cool. Made me smile we have to get the younger kids interested in these bikes.

Medina wrote:
Yup, 81KZ1100 and I've owned a few bikes, this is the only one I've had strangers (four so far) say something when I was out. I'm talking total strangers, out of the blue saying something.

All my pals, neighbors, you lugs like it granted. But I'm talking the sort of thing where I'm turning left in the middle lane, a guy at the + intersection who is also turning left- hits his horn, rolls down the window and yells "HEY", then when I make eye contact trying to figure out wtf is going on, I get a thumbsup? THATS never ever happened. I'm just enough of a narcissist to really get off on that (over 50+ crowd here too) .
Interestingly enough, there is a 79 or 80 KZP still in the white I've seen, and an 82? (that red color twin to mine) that pulled up behind me tooling around town. I didn't notice the 82 till I'd made a left turn and looked back at traffic. I'm wondering if he's an inmate here?


I was told I could never sneak up on anyone on my bike.
Nothing can quite compare to the sound of a big, 4 cylinder Kawasaki, getting it’s act together and moving on down the road…