Motorcycle chains.

[pa_broon74]

Check out the link.

Some claims made, are they accurate?

https://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm

While I'm not paranoid about chains, we are led to think that O ring chains are some how not compatible with X ring chains. Also, if your bike came with an O ring, you should stick to that.

Thanks


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Didn't catch anything.

[LeeR]

I can only go on personal experience, my bike has done 53,000 miles and has had 3 chains in that time.

The first a Suzuki OEM o-ring chain lasted 19,320 miles it was used mostly by the first owner to cover 11,000 miles continental touring, he swore by Castrol chain lube and I used Wurth chain spray.

The second chain was a Tsubakimoto o-ring chain cut from a reel, it lasted 15,300 and split whilst in use, I used a combination of spray lubes and oil brushed on.

The current chain, again a genuine Suzuki o-ring chain, has covered 18,550 miles and has had the benefit of a Scottoiler from new.

I was really disappointed by the life-span of the Tsubaki chain and both that and the original OEM chain were absolutely knackered when I had them changed. They had damaged links and stretched almost on a weekly basis, adjusting and lubing was a full-time job.

Even though the current chain has done almost the same miles as the original, it has really benefitted from having constant lubrication, in fact I reckon it could go another 10,000 miles, it looks as good as new, has no damaged links, and has only been adjusted 3 times.

So personally I don't reckon it's so much down to the chain as it is down to the care. A constantly clean and lubed chain just performs better and lasts longer, but I'd be interested to try the RK XSO next time around as the price compares well.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[salty21]

i find the lifespan of a chain depends massively on how the bike is ridden.
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Seb]

How you look after it plays a big factor for sure, but a quality chain makes a big difference from my experience.

When I took delivery of my ZZR the guy had a snapped (right in the middle of an outer link if I remember right) but otherwise clean looking chain in the back as well. Turned out that had come off a zx10 he had not long sold, and like my ZZR he had fitted it with a new chain and sprockets, he reckoned the buyer had been abusing the bike and not knowing any better I just nodded and didn't really think any more of it.

Fast forward a month or two down the line and I found I was needing to adjust the chain quite a bit more often than I expected, initially I thought it might just be naff lube, so I tried a few different brands to no avail, eventually it got to the point where I was taking slack out of the chain more often than I was filling up with petrol and enough was enough

I replaced it with a DiD x ring, stuck with the Yoshi chain wax I was using before and pretty much went 6000 miles before I needed to even think about adjusting the thing again (and the ironic thing was, when I did need to adjust it, the adjusters had siezed ). Given how slow and easy going a rider I was on the ZZR I dread to think what that chain would have done if I'd have been ragging it everywhere, no doubt it would have been a repeat of the one in the back of the dealer's van. The amount of sideways flex in the thing was shocking, how it actually stayed on the sprockets as it slacked off was beyond me

The downside is I pretty much only buy did x-rings out of habit now, a 100 quid chain on a 500 quid bike is a bit wasteful but eh, it's one less thing to worry about
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Noxious89123]

X-Ring chain + ScottOiler ftw!

My DID VM x-ring chain was quite pricey (abou £110 iirc) and has done about 10,000 miles so far. Hasn't needed adjustment even once as of yet, and has no stiff links or rust. If the gold colour hadn't faded, you'd think it was new
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[stinkwheel]

I always thought that a standard chain would be better with a scotoiler.

On the basis that the rings on either O or X-ring chains are supposed to be sealing grease in the chain. If the oil can get in, the grease already got out so what is the point of having the rings there at all?

They don't fit x-ring chains to race bikes. They fit standard roller chains and lube them with EP90 oil.

The problem I have with a lot of chain lubes is that they don't seen to prevent the chain from rusting very well. I'm almost tempted to go back to greasing them.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[pa_broon74]

I don't really know to be honest.

I know my TDM had a standard DID chain on that ended up being adjusted to oblivion once a fortnight (possibly more frequently.) I put on a part worn Gold Standard DID and it didn't need adjusting anything like as much.

I'm not good when it comes to maintenance, so lubing happens only when the chain is quite dry, possibly rusting...

I would say, two things you probably shouldn't skimp on (for safety and economic reasons) are chains and tyres.


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Didn't catch anything.

[stinkwheel]

I'll add that I have never been entirely happy with DID chains.

EK seem to be better.

I actually got a "genuine" honda chain and sprocket kit last time. Seems pretty good and wasn't all that expensive.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[neil.]

I believe Yamaha use DID as an OEM chain on some of their bikes? (mine anyway, as the parts catalogue says it's a DID).
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[LeeR]

Interestingly after some research it would appear that Suzuki OEM chains are also DID. Which backs-up what I've experienced in that DID last longer than Tsubaki, but whether the £20-30 extra equates to a good return for the extra 4,000 miles, I've yet to do the maths.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[Kickstart]

Hi

I am afraid that the cynicism in me on that web page says they are over egging the advantages of an X ring over an O ring chain. Sure they probably are better, just not sure by the margin they claim.

As to an oiler on an O ring / X ring chain, at least it keeps the O / X rings oiled, as once they have failed the chain just becomes a standard chain but without fresh lube being able to get in as easily.

All the best

Keith
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