Chain gang - 'X' or 'O' ?

[Colapop]

I've been investigating a new chain for my bike. Amongst other things I've discovered that they are expensive!! Up to $350 just for the chain. I have been recommended a site Dennis Kirk (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=9892) which is goddam awesome!! I found myself drooling for hours over it (the site). As great as this site is it doesn't tell me the difference between chains and what makes a god one. Sure, the more expensive generally the better they are but, what makes them better? What is an X ring and an O ring. I understand the sealed in part (I think) means that lubricant is sealed into a small tube inside the chain.
And I did a search and found some good stuff here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=9892) and here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=6242) anything else that you can is definitely valuable...
Where do you get yours from?
What kind do you get?
How much do you spend on average?
Would you buy from an overseas source?

And yes I will be replacing the sprockets at the same time...

[Mental Trousers]

An if you were to take the sealing rings out of a chain and cut them then looked at the cut you would find that the sealing ring of an O ring chain is an O shape, an X ring chain has an X shaped sealing ring and a WX chain looks like WX joined together.

The reason a chain wears is because the sealing rings dry out and wear. So keeping the seals lubricated can extend your chains life a hell of a lot. A lubricater like a Scott Oiler or Loobman can save you lots of bucks in chains and sprockets.

I've just put a new RK WX ring chain (expensive) on mine and am putting an oiler on it tomorrow.

[notme]

$350? must be a hell of a chain..... I just paid $180 for an X ring 530 DID brand for the torquemonster.

Be warned, changing it yerself is not for the faint of heart (well, faint of arm anyway....) and you need the tools.

[riffer]

Colapop - do yourself a favour and don't bother with ridiculously priced chains.

I got a perfectly good DID O-ring chain and sprockets put on my RF900, and new back wheel bearings for $350 all up at Maidstone Yamaha.

My bike is used as a workhorse. I ride it daily. But I keep the chain clean and lubed.

X-ring chains with gold anodised links may look cool but they don't make the bike go faster or further and I'm yet to be convinced they will last any longer on my bike. There's plenty of other things you could spend the money you save on.

Give Mac a call at Maidstone Yamaha. They'll see you right.

[sugilite]

I believe xrings have less friction than o-ring chains, hence them being marketed as a performance chain for racers etc (prior to x-ring, we went for non o-ring chains)

[MacD]

RF900's had an odd size chain as original equipment - a 532 I think. You should be able to get a 530 conversion kit (sprockets and chain) if that hasn't already been done. The 530 chain is a much more common size and so hopefully cheaper.

(edit - just beat you to it MSTRS! ;) )

[MSTRS]

Col - I did the 532>530 conversion (X-ring race chain and sprockets) on the 1100 for about $390. Best you get the 'kit' - is the best value. You think $350 is high for a chain? You are right, but try $450 for 532!!
Chains are only as good as their lubrication regime....so the better lubricated you keep 'em, the longer they will last. Goes for all types of chains. But 'cos the lube is inside the rollers, then seals like x-rings, which are better at sealing the links, are better than no seals at all..

[Colapop]

I had it suggested to me that I could go to an engineering supplies outfit and get machine chain that would do the same job...? Anyone have any thoughts on that option?

[Paul in NZ]

I had it suggested to me that I could go to an engineering supplies outfit and get machine chain that would do the same job...? Anyone have any thoughts on that option?

Yes - Don't.... It will stretch like crazy and if it lets go it will smash a hole in your casings. Decades ago me and some friends bought a roll for our 35bhp british bikes and it didn't last on them mate...

You don't need to go crazy but you sould definately not go super cheap on shit like chains, oil and tyres... Seriously - if you can't afford the upkeep on the 900 look at trading for a lighter less grunty bike before something snaps and you have NO bike ..

[Big Dave]

I am fastidious about chain lubrication. (when i had one)
My own experience concurs with this advert.

[Goblin]

I had it suggested to me that I could go to an engineering supplies outfit and get machine chain that would do the same job...? Anyone have any thoughts on that option?
Yeah I heard that a certian bikeshop here likes to fit chains in their workshop so they can put off the roll machine chain into the packaging and sell it for about four times the price. I wont set foot in that shop again but I am considering buying "off the roll" chain for my rat.

[Flyingpony]

1: Where do you get yours from?
2: What kind do you get?
3: How much do you spend on average?
4: Would you buy from an overseas source?

1: Budget Motorcycle Spares in Chch
2: Heavy duty o-ring chain. KMC brand
3: $63 for chain plus $66 for sprockets plus fitting
4: I would if there were package details for chain/sprocket bundles and they plus postage were cheaper than purchasing locally.

Definitely replace sprockets as you have mentioned.

Also fit a chain oiler. Scott Oiler if you want automatic. Hawkoiler if you like to simply push a button to oil chain. Loobman if you like to give stuff a quick squeeze and don't mind so much having some splash and puddles.

Fitting sprockets you could do. Fitting chain is also possible but I think you might need a chain crimping tool.

[The Pastor]

I am fastidious about chain lubrication. (when i had one)
My own experience concurs with this advert.

What the time scale on the bottom? Minnutes? Hours? Days? Kilometeters?


$350? must be a hell of a chain..... I just paid $180 for an X ring 530 DID brand for the torquemonster.

Be warned, changing it yerself is not for the faint of heart (well, faint of arm anyway....) and you need the tools.

Um changing the chain is easy as. Takes a bit of time, but I cant think of any tools other than a chain crimping tools (which I think I used pliers for last time?)

[Goblin]

Takes a bit of time, but I cant think of any tools other than a chain crimping tools (which I think I used pliers for last time?)
Vice-grips!

[notme]

...........Um changing the chain is easy as. Takes a bit of time, but I cant think of any tools other than a chain crimping tools (which I think I used pliers for last time?)

Not on a 530 chain you didn't.....or is your real name Schwarzenegger? :apumpin:

[MSTRS]

Fitting a 530 chain is best done with 2 people. You will need a tool that can press the '8' plate evenly onto the link pins, then one of you hold a sledgehammer or drift (any heavy chunk of steel) on the back of the key link,. while the other bod belts fuck out of the exposed pins on the other side of the chain.

[Colapop]

The thing that appeals to me about using a split chain is the ability to take it off, clean and lube it really well. At the moment I've got alot of clatter coming from 'down there' so need to do something about it relatively soon (yes I've measured and adjusted according to the manual)

[MSTRS]

The thing that appeals to me about using a split chain is the ability to take it off, clean and lube it really well. At the moment I've got alot of clatter coming from 'down there' so need to do something about it relatively soon (yes I've measured and adjusted according to the manual)

Clip links are NOT recommended

[Big Dave]

What the time scale on the bottom? Minnutes? Hours? Days? Kilometeters?



Don't know - i just did the artwork.
I got it to mean 'relative'.
Will ask if it comes up again - it's an old ad.

I do know for sure that I have run the XW rings and was pleased with the results. I definitely got longer life. But I sold the Trophy before I could quantify it fully.

Kerry at motohaus fits them for a very reasonable fee too.

[Paul in NZ]

Clip links are NOT recommended

The throbbing 40BHP of my TR6C seems to tolerate them... :scooter:

But because of the economical design it's nearly impossible to run an O ring chain on them

[The Pastor]

Not on a 530 chain you didn't.....or is your real name Schwarzenegger? :apumpin:

Im not sure what chain it was, it wasnt my chain.... But a chains a chain right?

[emaN]

I've used a 'link set-up' on mine for all over the UK, (England-Ireland-Scotland), Scandinavia & Europe (a tour & a fang with the lads); done two trackdays on it and here there everywhere in the North Island...

no probs.

Def go for the 530 kit bro. I got mine from 'Busters' (i think, or maybe MandP) in the UK. NZ prices were/are stupid.

Gob - i'll be PM'n you about that "certain shop"!

[notme]

Im not sure what chain it was, it wasnt my chain.... But a chains a chain right?

Not quite....there are different sizes and weights, clip link vs riveted.....the 530 chain I have on the SV is a big mother, and it has a (permanent) riveted link that requires special tools and approximately one metric SHITLOAD of force.

Some more info:
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/chain-rplc.php
http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm

[Goblin]

If you are going to change the chain yourself, an easy way of getting the new chain on is to link it to the old chain and pull it around the front sprocket then take the old chain off. Too easy!

[Pwalo]

Just buy yourself a reputable brand O ring chain, and clean and oil the smegger weekly (or even daily in the rain).

[merv]

So its a while ago now but this is the last time I changed the chain on my VFR http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=1758

Cost about $220 at the time and I actually bought the chain off Motomail when I was in Auckland visiting. If you buy DID I can probably help you as I have the tools. Otherwise the deal with sprockets at Maidstone could be the way to go.

[The Pastor]

Not quite....there are different sizes and weights, clip link vs riveted.....the 530 chain I have on the SV is a big mother, and it has a (permanent) riveted link that requires special tools and approximately one metric SHITLOAD of force.

Some more info:
http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/chain-rplc.php
http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm


Don't you just slide the rear wheel foward....?

[MSTRS]

Don't you just slide the rear wheel foward....?

Chains don't come 'endless' out of the box. Usually there are more links than reqd (to fit a variety of bike models) and you need to remove some to suit.

[terbang]

Just got a 110 link "X" ring 530 for my old 400. $136 from Mr Motorcycles in Pukekohe. Riveted it up myself (sledge hammmer trick) took the rear wheel and swingarm off (which needed the bearings lubed anyway) to fit it. Really only a couple of hours mucking of around and a normal part of motorcycle maintenance.

[The Pastor]

Chains don't come 'endless' out of the box. Usually there are more links than reqd (to fit a variety of bike models) and you need to remove some to suit.

Yes, ok but where does the huge big force thing come into it? I had to kick the rear wheel foward, but it wastnt that hard?

[MSTRS]

Yes, ok but where does the huge big force thing come into it? I had to kick the rear wheel foward, but it wastnt that hard?

As someone else said....You've never done a 530 chain, have you?

[The Pastor]

As someone else said....You've never done a 530 chain, have you?

Obviously not :| I wonder what my bike takes.... manuals down stairs... bah chains not going to go on me anytime soon anyways lol.

[Colapop]

Mate I'd have no trouble with it...

[MSTRS]

Mate I'd have no trouble with it...

Still recommend 2 of you. Unless you use a clip link (DON'T). The 'belting fuck out of it' is to burr over the ends of the pins through the 8 plate. This is why you need a second pair of hands to hold a drift on the back of that link. Have a look at almost any chain - you will see that 2 pins have a hole through them....that is the joining link.

[Colapop]

Well, when I have spare (Bwahahahahaha!!) money I'll buy a couple of different chains and try thenm all out on a test rig. In the mean time I'm thinking of spending the $300 for chain and sprockets...

On a lighter note - anybody want to pay me to do shit for them? Must be good money ($14/hr plus is about right for temp work...) no manual labour coz I'm too old and slow.

[merv]

Mate that's why I'm telling you buy a DID like I did and I have the tools to help, no large hammers needed because of the type of rivet link they use with the wee hollow end bits to swage over by the fantastic tool.

Otherwise the bike shop option isn't bad as you are doing the sprockets as well as I said earlier, because this isn't something you want to have any chance of going wrong.

Anyone else on the Sawyer ride to Castlepoint ride a few years back when a guy Robert had his ZZR1100 lock up on a straight between Featherston and Greytown? I was two behind him and the impressions were 1 christ what's causing this havoc?, 2 geez look at all that smoke coming off his back tyre and 3 that's kinda poetry in motion as he skidded along finally going over into the grass and the bike decking there. In this case it was the front sprocket that came off, but if a chain breaks and jams the same thing can happen. Robert was lucky on a straight road though and a soft landing on the grass berm but there were cages and bikes having to take evasive as we were all streaming past cars at the time, but if that had been a left hand curve and he'd been chucked into the path of an oncoming vehicle - splat!!!


Any bike over about 50hp I'd say don't even risk having a clip link on it - modern dirt bikes like my WR have rivetted links these days. If a clip link lets go you're toast at any speed if your chain jams the wheel.

[What?]

Chains don't come 'endless' out of the box...

Aaah-Hem!
Sometimes they do (I got a "genuine" OEM chain for my CB1100 on special. Dunno if they still are, but Honda chains used to be RK brand).
But, yeah, generally you just order the exact length (No. of links) you need.

[Colapop]

The Dennis Kirk (www.denniskirk.com) site has RK, Tsubaki, DID, Regina...