GPZList Digest, Vol 181, Issue 1

[William P. Zeller]

Bill-

Good to hear from you.

Regrettably, I parted with my GPZ a while back for inexplicable 
reasons.  Still a mystery as it was running and going flawlessly.

My stock chain went 48,000 miles on a diet of PJ-1 Blue Label.

I replaced it with the then-current EK VX-2 X-ring chain.  I did not 
replace the sprockets, as they looked fine to me.

The EK chain had 58,000 miles on it when I sold the bike, still spinning 
on the OEM sprockets.  The chain was still quiet-running, virtually 
kinkless, and still within the specified stretch limit on the 21-link test.

And the sprockets were still decent-looking.

Needless to say, it's been all EK VX-series X-ring chains ever since.

Bill Zeller
Lemont, IL
(FJR1300, CBR11 Blackbird these days, a worthy replacement for the ZX)


On 10/17/2025 2:00 PM, gpzlist-request at lists.micapeak.com wrote:
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>     1. Chain & sprockets (William K Denton)
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>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:47:34 -0400
> From: William K Denton <wkdenton at verizon.net>
> To: GPZ List <gpzlist at lists.micapeak.com>
> Subject: Chain & sprockets
> Message-ID: <05379042-98DB-4E92-91AB-FC93FD044366 at verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Hello list,
>
> I hope I’m not the only person left on this list that actually owns a GPZ 1100 in North America lol.
>
> So, I turned 40,000 miles a couple weeks ago and it’s time for new chain and sprockets and I’ve come up against a little situation that I’m sure you all already know the answer to.
>
> First, about the chain:
> My chain is the original stock EK50UV – XX112L, manufactured by Enuma in Japan.
> On the Enuma website, it says that EK50 chains are “generically equivalent to 520 chains”, i.e. 5/8” pitch and 2/8” width between the inner plates. Well, I verified the 5/8” pitch value, but when I measured the chain width, it measures 3/8” between the inner plates, which would make it a 530 chain, not a generically equivalent 520 chain as Enuma’s website claims. Please explain. Also looking for experience based replacements for the OEM chain.
>
> Drive (front) 17T Sprocket:
> This sprocket is NLA from momma Kaw, so I’m looking for generic equivalents for this item that are otherwise identical to the OEM piece.
>
> Driven (rear) 45 T Sprocket:
> Although this sprocket is still available from momma Kaw, I’m thinking that there are other equivalent alternatives to the $119 OEM piece. Experience based suggestions encouraged and appreciated.
>
> That is all, and I appreciate any insight and recommendations based on your own experiences. I look forward eagerly to your replies.
>
> Best regards,
> Bill Denton
> Yardley, PA
> 267-980-7788
> WKDENTON at VERIZON.NET
> Lazarus CycleWorks
> We Breathe New Life into Old Bikes
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> End of GPZList Digest, Vol 181, Issue 1
> ***************************************