I'm thinking of putting rear gears on my SS for a bit but don't want to buy a new chainring too. Will a narrow chain fit on a hardly used surly SS ring?

Should be fine-in the process of switching from 1×1 to 1×9.
Using a surly ring transplanted from the ss to the geared bike.Used a 9spd chain on the ss no probs.

New chain on the used ring will wear in pretty quick the ring is as tough as old nails and will outlast several chains

Yup.
Got a steel Surly ring and a 1×9 setup on the bike I'm just about to ride home on.
In the rain.

Tim

gears on my SS

What a poofta 😳

bb, it just means I'll be even faster you git!

glad to know it will work, cheers guys

I used a surly ring in a 2×9 combo. It folded over, due to a poor shift at the front. They don't have any sideways stiffening but should be fine 1×9.

If there's any burring from the ss setup just file the ring smooth and flat again and it'll work fine.