DCT Chain

[murray]

Have been getting ready for a replacement chain for the two DCT's in the house, all the material I have read so far points to a 525 chain. And as such have been looking to source a DID x-ring chain. Over the weekend was doing a full chain lube on both bikes, and saw that both chains (one was a DID, factory fitted, although not x-ring) were stamped 520. does anyone have any clarity on this?

[neil700]

Hi Murray, it's a 520 I am afraid

[murray]

what is the difference between the 520, and 525? the length and number of links are correct.
if you look at page 3 of this table, for the NC DCT
www.didchain.com/chainSpecs.html

[murray]

So yes, the DCT uses a 520, 112 link as standard, and uses a 39 tooth rear sprocket, and 16 tooth front sprocket. a 525 can be used with different front and rear sprockets, although some people have used the 525 on existing sprocket sizes. here is a chart showing a deeper difference between the 520 and 525 DID chains, note the plate thickness difference, and the weight difference. It does seem unclear or definitive if there is any real world difference in performance etc between the 2, however one thing does seem clear through the searching, that as good as the 520VX2 is, if you can, get the 520ZVM-X

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[Deleted]

keep us updated on costs for the chain and sprockets please sir.

[murray]

for the DCT, the 520 chain 112 link (standard) gets a JTF-1373 16T front sprocket, and a JTR-1303 39T rear sprocket.
for the manual (non DCT), the 520 chain 114 link gets the same front sprocket, but a JTR-1303 43T for the rear sprocket.

it would seem that for the DCT 525 chain option, the same sprockets apply, however the roller diameter difference between the 520 and 525 is 10.22mm vs 10.32mm. I am still searching to confirm the sprocket sizes for DCT 525 chain option

the only other difference between the 297 and 1373 front sprockets aside from the almost 1mm thickness difference is that the 297 is manufactured from SCM415 Chromoly Steel Alloy, versus the 1373 being made from C49 High Carbon Steel

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[murray]

for the DCT wanting to use the 525 chain 112 link, the front sprocket is a JTF-297 16T the difference between this sprocket is mentioned above. The rear sprocket a JTR-1304 39T, the only difference i can see currently is between this and the 1303 is the internal 'spoke' design of the sprocket

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[wwitte002]

Hi Murray
I have also been trying to determine what would be the best chain to replace the stock with (since its good quality, however it costs R2000 from Honda).
Ive started by looking at some basics fromt his post nc700forumsa.proboards.com/post/4267 and then after doing some more investigation (http://www.ekchain.jp/product/street_bikes.html) i only came up with this being a very good quality replacement (even above O-Ring) trac-mac.com/store/520-pitch/1195/ek-520-mvxz-x-ring-120-link-.html. The other brand which seems quite popular is the DID (http://www.didchain.com/streetChains.html) the top of their range also being an X-Ring model which is made for displacements upto 1300cc.

Let me know your thoughts and what you eventually decide to put on...

[murray]

Hi wwitte002
the EK seems to be very close to the DID, but I have never used them personally, and price seems about right, although I also see its a 120 link, you need either 112 for DCT or 114 for manual. Quite a few people run the DID 520VX2, I will be going for the slightly heavier stronger 520ZVM-X.
I was quite taken by the idea of the stronger 525 chain, but there is a substantial weight difference between the 520 and 525, and will be getting the JT sprockets, (rear JTR-1303) although not sure yet, whether I will take the JTF-1373 or the somewhat thicker JTF-297 for the front, as this is obviously the drive sprocket, so perhaps a bit more meat would be preferable.

[wwitte002]

Hi Murray, thanks for your thoughts.
Just about the links, friend of mine says its easy to break and remove excess links.. So i dont have to shop for those nr of links specifically.
Then im curious to know how the sprickets go in terms of performance. Going on gut feel only adding some weight will affect the consumption negatively?

Wilhelm

[Cronos]

As Far as I know most chains come as a standard length of 120 and you need to remove the links you don't need. This can be done easily with a grinder. You can convert from a 520 chain to a 525 chain as long as you also upgrade your sprockets to the 525. The weight of the chain, I honestly don't think will have such a huge impact on performance, but that will only be known once you do the conversion. I am considering doing just that as I personally like the look and feel of the 525 more than the 520 - They tend to look bigger and stronger. I also did that on my Twister back in the day and honestly did not notice any performance issues.

Murray, thanx for the sprocket sizes. I am also contemplating changing my front sprocket 1 tooth up from 16 to 17. On the twister this worked well, dropping your top end rev's by 500 RPM. It meant that I could do high speed at less RPM, however I will have to test what the effect will be on the NC before I can say if it will be worth it or not.

[wwitte002]

Has anybody made some further replacements of the sprockets? I'm not at the junction that i must decide which sprockets to get, but i have no idea how to compare quality etc. An online dealer offered me the Chalaveri and compared it to JT, is this ok? Any comments/suggestions on brands would be much appreciated, thanks everyone.

[struart]

Feb 26, 2015 8:06:36 GMT 2 murray said:

Hi wwitte002
the EK seems to be very close to the DID, but I have never used them personally, and price seems about right, although I also see its a 120 link, you need either 112 for DCT or 114 for manual. Quite a few people run the DID 520VX2, I will be going for the slightly heavier stronger 520ZVM-X.
I was quite taken by the idea of the stronger 525 chain, but there is a substantial weight difference between the 520 and 525, and will be getting the JT sprockets, (rear JTR-1303) although not sure yet, whether I will take the JTF-1373 or the somewhat thicker JTF-297 for the front, as this is obviously the drive sprocket, so perhaps a bit more meat would be preferable.

HI Murry, first off thank you for your informative posts, Im in the Uk!

I am looking to get a new sprockets and chain for my daily use NC750s DCT, I have found the items you have quoted above and would like a quick pointer if you have time to ensure I purchase the correct items?


DED chain
JT 1373 43 Rear
JTF1373.17 front


I really appriciate any help