Hawk Chain Confusion

BrianW · 09-24-2019, 01:52 PM

Changing my rear sprocket has taken entirely too long. At first I was sent the wrong sprocket from amazon and did not return it in time to get it swapped for the correct one. Now, I damaged the master link clip when removing it so I went to the local Honda shop and picked up a replacement 520 o-ring master link. I get back (which i bought used with many upgrades already completed) to the bike to realize that my chain is in fact a 428.

Am I correct in thinking the 428 is the stock chain? The interesting thing is that the first incorrect sprocket seemed to too sloppy for the existing chain, while the new sprocket (for the 520) seems like it fits perfectly.

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 01:57 PM

Stock chain will be 428. If it's the stock chain that came with the bike it's probably stretched a good bit. A 428 chain is 1/2" from pin tp pin and a 520 chain is 5/8" pin to pin.

BrianW · 09-24-2019, 02:07 PM

It currently has an o-ring type chain. My guess is those do not come standard but I may be wrong

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianW

It currently has an o-ring type chain. My guess is those do not come standard but I may be wrong

O-ring Is not standard that's for sure. Take a pin to pin measurement and that will confirm what chain you have. Does the chain have excessive play when pushing and pulling on it side to side?

BrianW · 09-24-2019, 02:46 PM

Measures a tidy 1/2”. I guess my confusion is this: a 428 chain seems to “fit” better on a 520 sprocket?

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianW

Measures a tidy 1/2”. I guess my confusion is this: a 428 chain seems to “fit” better on a 520 sprocket?

The chain is stretch out then. it would be a good idea to replace with it along with the new sprockets.

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 04:37 PM

Maximum chain wear limits are approximately .006″ per link. Anything over that it's time to change the chain. 24 links would measure out 12" on a new chain. So anything over 12.144" in 24 link would need to be replaced.

Megadan · 09-24-2019, 07:02 PM

520 chain rollers and sprockets are narrower in width than a 428, but have larger pins, rollers, and links as well as a longer spacing between said rollers. So side to side, thinner just a little bit, but front to back bigger. In fact, a 520 o ring chain is about the same outer width as a standard 428.

OneLeggedRider · 09-24-2019, 09:34 PM

Here's a very simple method to determine if it's time to replace the chain I learned years ago. At the back of your rear sprocket (the point furthest away from your front sprocket) grab a link and try to pull it away from the sprocket. If you can move it more than 1.5mm it's time to replace the chain. At that point the chain is eating/wearing the sprocket where it meets and leaves the sprocket and the links in between are doing nothing but awaiting their chance to get a bite of the sprocket as they exit the top.

09-24-2019, 01:52 PM	#1
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Hawk Chain Confusion Changing my rear sprocket has taken entirely too long. At first I was sent the wrong sprocket from amazon and did not return it in time to get it swapped for the correct one. Now, I damaged the master link clip when removing it so I went to the local Honda shop and picked up a replacement 520 o-ring master link. I get back (which i bought used with many upgrades already completed) to the bike to realize that my chain is in fact a 428. Am I correct in thinking the 428 is the stock chain? The interesting thing is that the first incorrect sprocket seemed to too sloppy for the existing chain, while the new sprocket (for the 520) seems like it fits perfectly.
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09-24-2019, 01:57 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,562	Stock chain will be 428. If it's the stock chain that came with the bike it's probably stretched a good bit. A 428 chain is 1/2" from pin tp pin and a 520 chain is 5/8" pin to pin. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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09-24-2019, 04:37 PM	#7
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,562	Maximum chain wear limits are approximately .006″ per link. Anything over that it's time to change the chain. 24 links would measure out 12" on a new chain. So anything over 12.144" in 24 link would need to be replaced. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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09-24-2019, 07:02 PM	#8
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,028	520 chain rollers and sprockets are narrower in width than a 428, but have larger pins, rollers, and links as well as a longer spacing between said rollers. So side to side, thinner just a little bit, but front to back bigger. In fact, a 520 o ring chain is about the same outer width as a standard 428. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
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09-24-2019, 02:07 PM	#3
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	It currently has an o-ring type chain. My guess is those do not come standard but I may be wrong
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09-24-2019, 02:46 PM	#5
BrianW Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wheeling, WV native currently living In Natchitoches, LA Posts: 297	Measures a tidy 1/2”. I guess my confusion is this: a 428 chain seems to “fit” better on a 520 sprocket?
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09-24-2019, 09:34 PM	#9
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	Here's a very simple method to determine if it's time to replace the chain I learned years ago. At the back of your rear sprocket (the point furthest away from your front sprocket) grab a link and try to pull it away from the sprocket. If you can move it more than 1.5mm it's time to replace the chain. At that point the chain is eating/wearing the sprocket where it meets and leaves the sprocket and the links in between are doing nothing but awaiting their chance to get a bite of the sprocket as they exit the top.
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