Chain gang - 'X' or 'O' ?

**Colapop** · 31st October 2006, 20:32

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 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 and here 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** · 31st October 2006, 21:34

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** · 31st October 2006, 21:37

$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** · 31st October 2006, 21:55

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:Me** · 31st October 2006, 21:59

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:04

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:Me** · 1st November 2006, 08:04

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:24

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:30

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:31

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

**Goblin** · 1st November 2006, 08:31

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:34

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:41

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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?

Originally Posted by allun

$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** · 1st November 2006, 08:44

Originally Posted by renegade master

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** · 1st November 2006, 08:49

Originally Posted by renegade master

...........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?