Ordering a new chain

[B5234FT]

How does one know what chain is needed for a bike? I've got a 2004 reg Husqvarna SM125 and from what I can count, the chain has 55 links (counting the outer plates with the pins through them) and the link length is 15.875mm between bars (8 gaps between bars is 127mm as best I can measure.

Are there certain commonly used standard pitches etc?

Also, how long might one expect a chain to last and are O-ring chains a worthwhile investment?

Cheers

[SQL]

520 pitch?

Just google Husqvarna SM125 chain.

[CestrianX]

https://www.motoracingshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=4739&language=en

'O' ring chains are obviously lubed and the lube stays IN the chain, that's what the 'O' ring is for, any further lubrication applied by yourself is for the chain/sprocket.

[P.addy]

110 link 520 pitch... only other common 125 pitch is a 428.

Got a photo?

Are get yourself as above the 114 link 520 pitch. 110 link is what it appears you currently have.

[B5234FT]

Thanks guys, what does the "520" refer to?

Paddy, what would be the reasoning behind going longer?

I've read a bit about the O-ring and X-ring chains, but is it the difference between 2000 miles and 4000, or 10,000 and 40,000?

Cheers

[Pete.]

[CestrianX]

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned about the choice between 'O' or 'X' ring chains, either one is good. Just clean it regularly, cheap WD40 type products are good enough to blast the crap away, maybe using a paint brush too if it's really cruddy, then a squirt of engine oil on the sprocket while the wheel is spinning will lube the teeth of the sprocket. I'm assuming you can get the rear wheel off the ground while the motor is running.

[B5234FT]

I more meant the difference between standard and then ringed chains, be that O, or X profile rings. I understand its to contain the lubricant, but how much does it really increase longevity? I'm keeping the bike a year and probably 4-6k miles so unless the plain chain will be on its last legs at sale time, or there is some other advantage to the sealed chain it probably isn't worth it?

[CestrianX]

[-Matt-]

[doggone]

If you don't lube it the sideplates start to rust especially in winter, and you can get sticking from that before it is obviously going brown.
Otherwise in theory with O rings you would hardly need bother.

[B5234FT]

So any thoughts on the difference in life between normal chains and ringed chains (either O or X)?

Are there any particular brands of chain which are known to be good? Prices on Ebay etc seem to vary and I don't want to buy junk.

[P.addy]

Buy a DID chain if you want it.

[Pete.]

[Walloper]

[B5234FT]

Are RK any good?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RK-520-MOTOCROSS-O-RING-CHAIN-HUSQVARNA-CR-125-250-/220746534480?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item336584ce50

Or Regina?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REGINA-520-O-RING-CHAIN-120-LINK-TO-FIT-HUSQVARNA-WR-125-WR125-ENDURO-/300707545890?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4603910322

D.I.D for similar cash

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS500-ER-EX-F-K4-8-1996-520-x-110-DID-VX-X-Ring-Chain-D-I-D-/270987781491?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3f18216573

Izumi

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/520XCx110-Izumi-X-Ring-Chain-/261173333777?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3ccf24cf11

Then there seem to be various heavy duty options from the above for 70-80 quid, but Id imagine they're unnecessary on a 125 when 500s use the same chain size?

In terms of tools, is something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Chain-Splitter-Riveting-Tool-Heavy-Duty-Large-Sports-Bikes-O-ring-/171079216747?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27d51dae6b
man enough for the job, or will it just break trying? I don't mind buying tools if its a job I'm going to repeat like this.

Cheers

[B5234FT]

[sprintster]

When yor lubing an o-ring chain all your really trying to do is stop the o-ring from drying out and splitting and then loosing the grease inside.No need for fancy,expensive sprays just normal engine oil does the job.I squirt some on about every 400 miles and I would expect the chain(DID or similar) on my Sprint ST to last at least 20k miles.

[Walloper]

[sprintster]

If you've got a centre stand it's no harder to put oil on than spray.Just put some oil in a squirty can,start the bike up and put it in gear.You can use the clutch to control the speed of the wheel and you only need to put on a small amount so it doesn't fling off.

[Walloper]

[sprintster]

[Richy CB1000]

Best chains I've used and will continue to are EK. Lube, like many I've been through the mill with all sorts, nowadays I just use gear oil, around 4-6 smears of toothbrush filled oil lasts about 150-250 miles.

I'll tell you what I do notice, all the sprays, dry Wurth (which I quite liked but at a tenner a can?) all seem to collect dirt and end up when you feel the stuff on the chain making a kind of paste that can't be good.

Once you've a clean chain applying gear oil takes about a minute or two after a ride and the chain seems always cleaner to me as I suppose the old oil is flinging off rather than collecting grime. I haven't had to "clean" the chain before applying new oil it's fine.

Once you've got how much to put on down to an art by checking how much fling you're getting etc... it's the easiest and cheapest method.

I had a new EK at the start of the season, done 3500 miles with just gear oil, not even adjusted it yet and that's hitting it on a litre bike so anything smaller and I assume the results would be even better.