Would you be pissed off?

[The End]

Shelled out the big bucks on a chain and sprocket kit 2 months ago and after looking over the bike on the weekend I have noticed this:

http://i.imgur.com/13ILnhl.jpg

This is after around 5000km of riding. I have been cleaning the chain once a week or every 400kms and lubing it with Motul chain oil.

When I approached the seller about it, their response was:


Well it's obvious ya don't clean it that much LOL...


Is it going to be worth my time fighting to get my money back or is it a case of shit happens, harden up?

I purchased the chain and sprocket kit from a reputable seller in the US.

[Banditbandit]

Shit happens ... don't buy parts overseas - it's too far to go for your money back

But it looks like something has been rubbing on the chain - the rivets are all pushed around and grazed. Check to see what might be touching the chain .. I've never had rivets do that ..

[nodrog]

why has it gone mouldy?

[5ive]

Is the sprocket the right size/symmetrical? Loose chain?

[iranana]

You haven't been cleaning it with a wire brush have ya? Just wondering why it all looks a bit scuffed up, or is that lint? I've had o-rings come out of chains, but I'm pretty shit with keeping mine clean. It's not really a big deal, considering you clean and lube it so often anyway.

[The End]

Shit happens ... don't buy parts overseas - it's too far to go for your money back

But it looks like something has been rubbing on the chain - the rivets are all pushed around and grazed. Check to see what might be touching the chain .. I've never had rivets do that ..

I couldn't get this kit here in NZ. Nothing is rubbing on it, the chain looks normal as ever.



why has it gone mouldy?

That would be residual bits of paper towel from when I was wiping it to take a photo, before cleaning it further.



Is the sprocket the right size/symmetrical? Loose chain?

Yes; this kit is made specifically for my bike, chain tension is perfecto.




You haven't been cleaning it with a wire brush have ya? Just wondering why it all looks a bit scuffed up, or is that lint? I've had o-rings come out of chains, but I'm pretty shit with keeping mine clean. It's not really a big deal, considering you clean and lube it so often anyway...

See above - paper towel residue from wiping before taking a photo. The only thing I use to clean the chain/sprockets is a rag with warm soapy water.

[nzspokes]

Well LDH is all about the sale....

[Banditbandit]

I couldn't get this kit here in NZ. Nothing is rubbing on it, the chain looks normal as ever.




It does not look normal to me - it looks very very used .. the scuff marks on the rivet heads should not look like that ...

[biketimus_prime]

Not sure about warm soapy water tbh. If you washed o-rings with soapy water and let them dry out sometimes they go all shit. Hence why it's recommended you clean with something like kerosene or even diesel so it still keeps the o-rings and rest of the chain lubricated. Water will just sit there and displace lubricant with the help of the soap. That, coupled with washing and cleaning the chain so regularly probably didn't help...

Mine has lasted over 10,000km and I have cleaned it once at 5000km with kerosene, lubricated every 800km or whenever it has gotten wet. Haven't even had to adjust it except after the first 300km or so as it has consistently been within spec since then.

[Madness]

I have been cleaning the chain once a week or every 400kms and lubing it with Motul chain oil.

You really should get out more.


I purchased the chain and sprocket kit from a reputable seller in the US.

Ask them nicely & they might send you a new o-ring.

[Paul in NZ]

Yes I would be pissed off but the question is - would I do anything about it? Or could I do anything and in your case I guess there isn't so - live and learn I suppose...

Are you saying you cannot get a chain / sprocket kit for a Hornet in NZ?

[Gremlin]

I never clean or oil the chain. Some of the time I remember to fill up the Scottoiler. Get 30k+ out of each chain and sprocket set.

[bogan]

Looks to be a lot of grit on there, perhaps due to such frequent washing some of the grit has been forced/worked its way under the o-rings. Chain oil on a road bike is just shit, wax is better, best of all I've found is a dry wax teflon lube by dupont; fuck knows who sells it now though, was probably made out of panda foreskin or something...


It does not look normal to me - it looks very very used .. the scuff marks on the rivet heads should not look like that ...

Looks pretty normal to me, that is just how they peen em over.

[The End]

Yes I would be pissed off but the question is - would I do anything about it? Or could I do anything and in your case I guess there isn't so - live and learn I suppose...

Are you saying you cannot get a chain / sprocket kit for a Hornet in NZ?

A kit I could, but not this specific one.

[pritch]

Motul is my oil of choice, with one exception; their chain lube. I goes on very low viscocity but dries quickly and becomes very sticky. All manner of grit and crap sticks to the chain to act like grinding paste. I suspect it's the sticky lube that makes it look as if you haven't cleaned the chain very well.

[pzkpfw]

I'd be taking the cover off the front sprocket and seeing what gunk has built up in there since the chain was replaced.

(And checking it, and everything else, for rubbing.)

[Big Dog]

Is that a piece of wire sticking out?
Did make pretty good chains. I typically get > 60,000 from one.
I lube every when it looks dry, between 600 and 1000km.
I don't clean the chain unless I have a special event to attend where photos are likely. So maybe 1 time a year?
I used to use motul but switched to waxes. Put on a hot chain by the time it is cold any dirt in your chain is now on the garage floor. This is easily swept up.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[mossy1200]

If you sent them that photo it might be why they didn't want to help.
Clean it all up and post photos of it clean and the sprocket.
Is the sprocket a light weight ally version?
Did you put the front sprocket on back to front if its shaped type? Some line up one way only. Front shaft and sprocket ok?

[Oakie]

The rivets on that chain just don't look right. That's what i thought you were on about until I saw the piece of O ring. You're not cleanign it with Kero are you? Used to be the thing to do but not anymore ... not good for O rings apparently.

[The End]

The rivets on that chain just don't look right. That's what i thought you were on about until I saw the piece of O ring. You're not cleanign it with Kero are you? Used to be the thing to do but not anymore ... not good for O rings apparently.

Having dealt with a strange noise from day one of installing the kit, I have checked, re-checked and checked again the whole system. I've also had it checked by 2 others. In all cases the chain has been properly aligned, correctly adjusted and the sprockets installed correctly.

The only thing I have cleaned the chain and sprockets with has been a rag with warm soapy water. The chain was bought new and I have not touched the rivets except on the 1 master link when installing the new chain.

I have purposely taken extra care of this chain and sprocket kit since it cost so bloody much.

[Oakie]

In that case, yes, I would be pissed off.

[Ocean1]

If you've been treating it as you say then the broken O-ring is probably a manufacturing fault. I wouldn't bother with the retailer, or not just them, a carefully worded note to DID's technical dept may produce a result.


Motul is my oil of choice, with one exception; their chain lube. I goes on very low viscocity but dries quickly and becomes very sticky. All manner of grit and crap sticks to the chain to act like grinding paste. I suspect it's the sticky lube that makes it look as if you haven't cleaned the chain very well.

Funny you should say that. I was recommended Motul road chain lube for the SDR and having bought some I noticed exactly what you suggest. I've cleaned it off and replaced it with the dregs of a can of Spectro SX wax which I'd bought thinking it was the same as the old Spectro wax I liked, (it's not, it also goes on quite thin and dries a bit sticky).

So, after considerable research, (at least 10 min) I've got some Bel-Ray white lube coming, and we'll see what that feels like.

[mossy1200]

So, after considerable research, (at least 10 min) I've got some Bel-Ray white lube coming, and we'll see what that feels like.

Wouldn't recommend Castrol. It seems to stick to everything other than the chain.

[Oakie]

So, after considerable research, (at least 10 min) I've got some Bel-Ray white lube coming, and we'll see what that feels like.

Got myself a can of that recently. Seems pretty good.

[Ocean1]

Wouldn't recommend Castrol. It seems to stick to everything other than the chain.

Remember that Castrol shit-in-a-can you used to boil up your chain in? One lap of a sandy MX track and your chain was toast :laugh:

[mossy1200]

Remember that Castrol shit-in-a-can you used to boil up your chain in? One lap of a sandy MX track and your chain was toast :laugh:

I have some if you want it. I was going to use it at work to stick carpet tiles down in the office but went with F2 contact adhesive instead.

[Ocean1]

I have some if you want it. I was going to use it at work to stick carpet tiles down in the office but went with F2 contact adhesive instead.

Keep it, if you ever need to burn your tent down while lubing your chain on a camp cooker you'll find it very useful.

[Paul in NZ]

A kit I could, but not this specific one.

I'd suggest NOT buying that kit again then....

[nodrog]

hey, its better than being pissed on.

[mossy1200]

hey, its better than being pissed on.

Unless you have been stung by a Jellyfish and don't need to go.

[BMWST?]

these marks on the rivets look as though the chain is rubbing on the head of a bolt or screw or something

[Laava]

these marks on the rivets look as though the chain is rubbing on the head of a bolt or screw or something

You are the second person to think this. You can buy chains that have the link pins pressed into place just like this. Normal. Here's a pitcha.
http://www.hardracing.com/images/DID520VX2closeup.jpg

[FROSTY]

Ill third the suggestion thsat somethings rubbing

[Mike.Gayner]

Those rivets look exactly like the rivets on my DID chain. Completely normal.

[skippa1]

I have been cleaning the chain once a week or every 400kms and lubing it with Motul chain oil.


Really? Your hobby is chain polishing? Farkinell..........

[AllanB]

Did you go up a tooth on the front? In stock cogs there is heaps of room behind the front cover but it can get a build up of crap. Also there is a steel curved shaped bit in between the plastic cover and engine case - check it has been correctly located with all bolts.

[skippa1]

these marks on the rivets look as though the chain is rubbing on the head of a bolt or screw or something
I can see the problem, the chain has been attacked by Indians

cowboys and itchybums type Indians

[Banditbandit]

A kit I could, but not this specific one.

Yeah .. well now you know NOT to buy that specific one again.




The only thing I have cleaned the chain and sprockets with has been a rag with warm soapy water.

Just don't. As has been said just don't ...

I use wax on my chains. I never wash them, just start the bike on the centre stand, put it in first and spray the wax straight onto the moving chain ... no worries .. no issues .. It's so long between chains I don;t track the mileage ..

[Banditbandit]

You are the second person to think this. You can buy chains that have the link pins pressed into place just like this. Normal. Here's a pitcha.
(pix chopped)

Yeah .. but the picture on the original post looks a lot rougher and more used than those links .. scuff marks on the rivet ends and all ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

these marks on the rivets look as though the chain is rubbing on the head of a bolt or screw or something


You are the second person to think this. You can buy chains that have the link pins pressed into place just like this. Normal. Here's a pitcha.
[]

I hear what you guys are saying re the pins. But they def look like they've been contacting something to me as well.

[jasonu]

I couldn't get this kit here in NZ. Nothing is rubbing on it, the chain looks normal as ever.
Yes; this kit is made specifically for my bike, chain tension is perfecto.


Why couldn't you get it in NZ? What is so special about it?

[pritch]

Why couldn't you get it in NZ? What is so special about it?

Good question. I'm assuming a narrower than standard chain and sprockets, (the latter possibly alluminium?). These mods were occasionally mentioned on the Hornet/919 boards back when I had a Hornet. I was never tempted because the cost/benefit didn't stack up. Then again, that didn't stop me buying GRG levers:weird:

I'm still wondering if the OP has cleaned the chain and written to DID?

[pzkpfw]

Having dealt with a strange noise from day one of installing the kit, I have checked, re-checked and checked again the whole system. I've also had it checked by 2 others. In all cases the chain has been properly aligned, correctly adjusted and the sprockets installed correctly. ...

So the strange noise was caused by aliens?

How about sticking little bits of tape on the side of some links in the chain (over the rivet ends), and wheel it 'round with the bike on a stand. See if the bits of tape get crunched.

[Big Dog]

+1 ^^^


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[bsasuper]

Everything looks normal except the wee rag of x-ring material poking out, not to much of a problem though, If it bugs you that much buy a master link to fix it.The pins look normal, they are quad staked.

[The End]

I hear what you guys are saying re the pins. But they def look like they've been contacting something to me as well.



How about sticking little bits of tape on the side of some links in the chain (over the rivet ends), and wheel it 'round with the bike on a stand. See if the bits of tape get crunched.

They are absolutely 100% not rubbing on anything. I have checked this many times.


Good question. I'm assuming a narrower than standard chain and sprockets, (the latter possibly alluminium?). These mods were occasionally mentioned on the Hornet/919 boards back when I had a Hornet. :weird:
I'm still wondering if the OP has cleaned the chain and written to DID?

Correct - seller is apparently getting in touch with their distributor to come up with a resolution. Failing that, I will get in touch with DID.

[AllanB]

CRG levers are so well machined they are justified as a piece of usable art. Well at least that's how I justified them. :niceone: