discovered while cleaning chain...

Nebr_Rex wrote: Does it bind up with the chain removed?

I would check this ^^ before I bought a chain.

OK..if it does bind up with the chain removed I am guessing this would mean it is a wheel bearing?

Could be that or could be brakes are binding.

rcarver wrote: ...How would I confirm what size/type of chain is already on there?....

630 chain measures 3/4" between pins.

530 chain measures 5/8" between pins.

Same roller width of 3/8" (9.52mm).

Good Fortune!

thanks for the measurement conversions !

hocbj23 wrote: Could be that or could be brakes are binding.

Yes. Wheel bearing, bent rotor/brakes binding, tire rubbing on chain guard, etc. You have to look. But the first thing to do is remove the chain.

Best way to know if it's the chain: put it up on the stand then slowly rotate the wheel and check the up-down chain play at the center between the drive sprocket and the rear wheel. A worn out chain will have the free play changing as you move the chain around the sprockets.

Finally found the time to get back to the garage:

determined I do have a blown o-ring on my chain a few links away from the master link.

The chain is marked " RK 5020"

I imagine that means it is a 520 size.

Anyone used this size before? Looks like Z1 only carries the 530, but on the RK website looks like they promote switching to a 520 size. What is the advantage?

rcarver wrote: Finally found the time to get back to the garage:

determined I do have a blown o-ring on my chain a few links away from the master link.

The chain is marked " RK 5020"

I imagine that means it is a 520 size.

Anyone used this size before? Looks like Z1 only carries the 530, but on the RK website looks like they promote switching to a 520 size. What is the advantage?

530 and 520 both have same link length of 5/8" between pins, known as the pitch.

530 is 3/8" width of roller.

520 is 1/4" width of roller.

For more info,
click here > www.z1enterprises.com/reference/chaintypesize.aspx

Z1E also furnishes info about changing sprocket sizes to match chain sizes.

Good Fortune!

rcarver wrote: Finally found the time to get back to the garage:

determined I do have a blown o-ring on my chain a few links away from the master link.

The chain is marked " RK 5020"

I imagine that means it is a 520 size.

Anyone used this size before? Looks like Z1 only carries the 530, but on the RK website looks like they promote switching to a 520 size. What is the advantage?

I'm betting the previous owner just stuck the wrong chain on the bike through ignorance (or he was cheap). According to Kawasaki.com the KZ650-D2 (SR) stock chain is a 530 o-ring with 102 links; the front sprocket is 17T and the rear 40T. Be sure to replace the sprockets with the chain (and a NEW countersprocket lockwasher) or you are throwing money away as the chain will wear out prematurely. I have found D.I.D. o-ring chains to be high quality. Ed

Am thinking that a 530 chain is too wide for but will "fit" onto a 520 sprocket, and that a 520 chain is too narrow to fit onto a 530 sprocket.

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote: Am thinking that a 530 chain is too wide for but will "fit" onto a 520 sprocket, and that a 520 chain is too narrow to fit onto a 530 sprocket.

Good Fortune!

I agree, that's why in this case it is especially important that he replaces both sprockets with the chain so he is positive everything matches. Ed