Hawk 250 chain upgrade

Redbookaudio · 07-15-2018, 03:20 PM

Is the "D.I.D. 520STD-130 Standard Series Chain with Connecting Links" a good choice for chain replacement for the stock chain on the Hawk250? I've purchased JT sprockets for the bike as well (17/45). I've already ordered the wrong chain once!

Thanks!

ectomite · 07-15-2018, 04:33 PM

It will work I got a 2017 hawk as long as it is not the thick o ring chain I could not get it to fit with a 17 front it didn't have enough clearance. U would be better off with 16 43 on the bike and a 520 128 standard chain fits perfect on mine no clearance issues. But what u have is fine chain mite rub a tad against engine case but nothing I would worry about. Whoa sorry man u need a 428 130 standard chain for your bike not 520 I was wrong on that size I got 428 standard size.

ectomite · 07-15-2018, 04:44 PM

I got the JT sprockets brand 428 130 chain it is a good chain so far and cheap you can get it on Amazon for $18 that's the length u need for ur sprockets u have.

Megadan · 07-15-2018, 04:53 PM

You will need different sprockets to run a 520 chain. Part numbers can be found in my resource guide under chain and sprockets.

Redbookaudio · 07-15-2018, 08:01 PM

excellent...thank you! The $18 chain you speak of has 128 links (not 130) but that sounds perfect length according to Megadan's Resource and Info Guide! So and $18 chain is actually BETTER than the stock!? That's a bit scary!

Redbookaudio · 07-15-2018, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

You will need different sprockets to run a 520 chain. Part numbers can be found in my resource guide under chain and sprockets.

I see that now in your resource guide...I didn't read far enough! Also, I saw your recent video where you showed the sprocket/chain set up on your new Hawk.... WAY smaller sprockets than I ever heard anyone talking about on these blogs!
It sounds like we have your "blessing" to proceed with JT sprockets 17/45 set up with $18 "JT Sprockets JTC428HDR128SL 428 HDR 128-Link Heavy Duty Drive Chain" from Amazon. Thanks Megadan!

Megadan · 07-15-2018, 08:29 PM

As long as it is a good brand it should work just fine.

The sprockets I am using have less teeth but are the same diameter as larger tooth count 428 sprockets because the 520 roller spacing is larger.

ectomite · 07-15-2018, 08:59 PM

No problem here is a link to mine its 130 length https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DX...o_pop_mb_pd_t2. If megadan says u can use 128 u can its been a good chain so far ill drop another link here a lot of guys recommend this chain also but u got 2 remove links https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01AC...J7BL9&psc=1vht

Megadan · 07-15-2018, 09:18 PM

You can run either 128 or 130 with the 17/45. With a 43 rear the 128 is more recommended, otherwise you have little room for adjustment

ChrisWNY · 07-16-2018, 10:25 AM

Will the JT X-ring 428 chain also fit with enough clearance (I'm using the 17T front sprocket)?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They're more expensive than the regular non-O-ring chains but figured it would be a worthwhile upgrade (IF it fits)...

Megadan · 07-16-2018, 12:53 PM

O ring chains are not taller than standard chains, just a little wider. If a 17t sprocket and standard chain fits, then a 17t with an O ring chain fits. I ran a 17t with an EK SROZ (o ring) chain on my last Hawk for a long time. The only issue I had was, thanks to the width of the chain being just a tad wider, my front sprocket cover was a pain to get on. Once it was on, it had room. I ended up removing a small section of the inner sprocket cover so I could install said cover more easily. Not necessary, but it sure helped. The area removed was not in line with the sprocket, and sat up against the block, so it had no negative effects.

ChrisWNY · 07-16-2018, 02:26 PM

I had another chain-related question -- might as well post it here. How much clearance from the rear tire do you guys have with your Hawk 250 chain? I spent a good deal of time aligning the center of the rear tire with the spring on the shock and noticed there's maybe a 1/4" gap between the edge of the chain and the knobbies on the tire. I suppose this gap widens over time as the tires wear, but that's still a little close for comfort IMO. Seems quite a few on here have experienced snapping chains on their Hawks (some having damaged their engines), and I'm wondering if wheel clearance plays a role.

Redbookaudio · 07-16-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisWNY

I had another chain-related question -- might as well post it here. How much clearance from the rear tire do you guys have with your Hawk 250 chain? I spent a good deal of time aligning the center of the rear tire with the spring on the shock and noticed there's maybe a 1/4" gap between the edge of the chain and the knobbies on the tire. I suppose this gap widens over time as the tires wear, but that's still a little close for comfort IMO. Seems quite a few on here have experienced snapping chains on their Hawks (some having damaged their engines), and I'm wondering if wheel clearance plays a role.

The clearance on mine sits very close to 1/2 inch (with the rear tire aligned to the best of my ability)

Megadan · 07-16-2018, 04:03 PM

Chain clearance is close to the outer knobs, but on more road oriented tires there is more room. The chain catching the tire will just wear down the tire where it touches.

ChrisWNY · 07-17-2018, 08:39 AM

One thing I've noticed with the front sprocket cover - if the Hawk is up sitting level on a lift, it's practically impossible to get that cover back on. If the Hawk is leaning on the kickstand, it goes right in no problem. Just a tip for those who have had issues with the front sprocket cover - I read a post from someone else who literally dremel'd their front sprocket cover to get it to fit, not realizing that the bike being level on a scissor lift was why it wasn't going back on properly. It's an odd issue and it had me baffled for awhile, but I remembered that I had removed that front cover with the bike on the stand, and was attempting to reinstall while it was on a lift (wasn't going to happen). Goes right back on when the bike is leaning on the kickstand. Go figure.

07-15-2018, 03:20 PM	#1
Redbookaudio Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 40	Hawk 250 chain upgrade Is the "D.I.D. 520STD-130 Standard Series Chain with Connecting Links" a good choice for chain replacement for the stock chain on the Hawk250? I've purchased JT sprockets for the bike as well (17/45). I've already ordered the wrong chain once! Thanks! __________________ Hawk 250
	0

07-15-2018, 04:53 PM	#4
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,034	You will need different sprockets to run a 520 chain. Part numbers can be found in my resource guide under chain and sprockets. __________________ 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
	0

07-15-2018, 08:01 PM	#5
Redbookaudio Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 40	excellent...thank you! The $18 chain you speak of has 128 links (not 130) but that sounds perfect length according to Megadan's Resource and Info Guide! So and $18 chain is actually BETTER than the stock!? That's a bit scary! __________________ Hawk 250
	0

07-15-2018, 08:29 PM	#7
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,034	As long as it is a good brand it should work just fine. The sprockets I am using have less teeth but are the same diameter as larger tooth count 428 sprockets because the 520 roller spacing is larger. __________________ 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
	0

07-15-2018, 09:18 PM	#9
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,034	You can run either 128 or 130 with the 17/45. With a 43 rear the 128 is more recommended, otherwise you have little room for adjustment __________________ 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
	0

07-15-2018, 04:33 PM	#2
ectomite Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 32	It will work I got a 2017 hawk as long as it is not the thick o ring chain I could not get it to fit with a 17 front it didn't have enough clearance. U would be better off with 16 43 on the bike and a 520 128 standard chain fits perfect on mine no clearance issues. But what u have is fine chain mite rub a tad against engine case but nothing I would worry about. Whoa sorry man u need a 428 130 standard chain for your bike not 520 I was wrong on that size I got 428 standard size.
	0

07-15-2018, 04:44 PM	#3
ectomite Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 32	I got the JT sprockets brand 428 130 chain it is a good chain so far and cheap you can get it on Amazon for $18 that's the length u need for ur sprockets u have.
	0

07-15-2018, 08:59 PM	#8
ectomite Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 32	No problem here is a link to mine its 130 length https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DX...o_pop_mb_pd_t2. If megadan says u can use 128 u can its been a good chain so far ill drop another link here a lot of guys recommend this chain also but u got 2 remove links https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01AC...J7BL9&psc=1vht
	0

07-16-2018, 10:25 AM	#10
ChrisWNY Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 212	Will the JT X-ring 428 chain also fit with enough clearance (I'm using the 17T front sprocket)? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They're more expensive than the regular non-O-ring chains but figured it would be a worthwhile upgrade (IF it fits)...
	0

07-16-2018, 12:53 PM	#11
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,034	O ring chains are not taller than standard chains, just a little wider. If a 17t sprocket and standard chain fits, then a 17t with an O ring chain fits. I ran a 17t with an EK SROZ (o ring) chain on my last Hawk for a long time. The only issue I had was, thanks to the width of the chain being just a tad wider, my front sprocket cover was a pain to get on. Once it was on, it had room. I ended up removing a small section of the inner sprocket cover so I could install said cover more easily. Not necessary, but it sure helped. The area removed was not in line with the sprocket, and sat up against the block, so it had no negative effects. __________________ 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
	1

07-16-2018, 02:26 PM	#12
ChrisWNY Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 212	I had another chain-related question -- might as well post it here. How much clearance from the rear tire do you guys have with your Hawk 250 chain? I spent a good deal of time aligning the center of the rear tire with the spring on the shock and noticed there's maybe a 1/4" gap between the edge of the chain and the knobbies on the tire. I suppose this gap widens over time as the tires wear, but that's still a little close for comfort IMO. Seems quite a few on here have experienced snapping chains on their Hawks (some having damaged their engines), and I'm wondering if wheel clearance plays a role.
	0

07-16-2018, 04:03 PM	#14
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,034	Chain clearance is close to the outer knobs, but on more road oriented tires there is more room. The chain catching the tire will just wear down the tire where it touches. __________________ 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
	0

07-17-2018, 08:39 AM	#15
ChrisWNY Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 212	One thing I've noticed with the front sprocket cover - if the Hawk is up sitting level on a lift, it's practically impossible to get that cover back on. If the Hawk is leaning on the kickstand, it goes right in no problem. Just a tip for those who have had issues with the front sprocket cover - I read a post from someone else who literally dremel'd their front sprocket cover to get it to fit, not realizing that the bike being level on a scissor lift was why it wasn't going back on properly. It's an odd issue and it had me baffled for awhile, but I remembered that I had removed that front cover with the bike on the stand, and was attempting to reinstall while it was on a lift (wasn't going to happen). Goes right back on when the bike is leaning on the kickstand. Go figure.
	3