Honda CB900 chain issues

[MisterPrice10...]

Hi all

Been riding my 2001 CB900 for a few years now

Have completed a trip to Spain and back no issues last year and numerous ride outs etc this year with no issues

Recently I completed Lands end to John O'Groats, prior to the trip I fitted new chain and sprockets to the bike.

I regularly tightened / lubed the chain during the 1800 mile (ish) trip and seemed to have no issues

Ive just gotten around 3500 miles out of the chain and its stretched so much that the adjusters are as far out as they can go, ive never had a chain strecth as quickly / far as this in such little time

This is the same kit i have used on the bike the year before and that lasted around 5000 miles but with no real adjustment or oiling on that occasion (partly because i forgot to take my tools to spain and partly because I am an idiot)

I would of expected this kit to last much longer seeing as I was taking much better care of it. I wasnt riding nearly as hard as i did in spain and am a bit baffled!


My real questions are:

Has similar happened to anyone else?

&

Is it safe to fit JUST a new chain, the sprockets dont appear worn or hooked over and seem in good order.


Lastly, i fitted a 530 x 114 chain. IM guessing this means 530 pitch and 114 links? if this is the case im tempted to buy a 530 110 so its a bit shorter and i get more life out of it?


First post here so hope this all makes sense

thanks in advance for any help and hope you are all enjoying safe and sunny riding!


Adam
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18 bikes later and still no idea what i'm doing.

[Nobby the Bastard]

One word.

Scotoiler.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

You might be over-tightening it.

[Blockheads121]

4 words - Imports dressed like gold.
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Honda100H-MBX125-RG125-NSR125-KH125-Scooter-GSXR400-KX125-XT225-4X-XR400-DRZ400-FZ6-98ZX6F-2000ZX6R-GPZ500S

[Confusion]

[jaffa90]

Sounds like an inferior chain this time, also check the tension under load.

[MisterPrice10...]

Thanks everyone for their replies

The chain was purchased from wemoto (who i have used for years, bought bits for pretty much all 17 bikes I have owned and never had an issue with quality)

However this was part of a JT chain and sprocket kit so it wouldnt surprise me if this was a gold covered copy as was mentioned above (not in that exact wording, i dont know who to quote because im an idiot as previously mentioned)

The comment about over tightening could be an accurate one as well, while I always tried to get it accurate to around 35mm movement i didnt consider that the bike was under full luggage (box and panniers)

Scottoilers are great bits of kit but i dont think thats the issue as i was lubing my chain daily while on tour and regularly when back.

Getting 5000 miles out of the old chain was due to almost zero maintenance and riding.... very enthusiastically.... for days at a time aha.


I think im gonna stick a new chain on as the sprockets look good and should this only last same again look into a higher quality kit next year after the bike goes into hibernation!


Thanks again for replies, this was my first post here and its nice to see everyone is knowledgeable and helpful!

Thanks again

Adam
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18 bikes later and still no idea what i'm doing.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[MisterPrice10...]

[/quote]

A scotoiler is the difference between getting 5000 miles out of a chain and getting 5000 miles between adjustments.

Daily oiling is no substitute for constant oiling.[/quote]


Ive had scotoilers on bikes before and have found them to be no different than daily oiling, especially where a scot oiler is a drop every few iles on a random part of the chain where as daily oiling is a good dose of oil on all of it, but then again maybe I was a bit too conservative with the fluid when i used mine.

Im reluctant to put them on carbed bikes as the kits often have a breather pipe to carb number 1 (or have in my experience)

maybe a gravity fed kit or similar could help me in future
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18 bikes later and still no idea what i'm doing.

[Ste]

The chain being over tightened is about the only possible explanation assuming the chain is made of low quality cheese.

If your scottoiler is only giving a drop every few miles then you need to turn it up. You can tell when it's lubing the chain enough as there'll be a patch of oil left wherever you park.

[Nobby the Bastard]

What ste said. You should be getting a four to five drops a minute.

It's not a breqther. It's a vacuum take off (which doesn't affect carb function) which activates a valve which only let's oil through when the engine is running.

The oil itself is gravity fed. You clearly don't know how a scotoiler works which is why you find manual oiling works better.

After all any fool can spray oil all their tyre and destroy their chain in a few thousand miles.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Kentol750]

5k miles for chain and sprockets? It's not normal love. I'd go with bad alignment being an issue. What bike is an 01 cb900? Very early release hornet 900 or an import?
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Some bikes.

[DrDonnyBrago]

Fit a DID VX chain
Ensure the wheel is aligned properly (check your swingarm etc hasn't been quadraspazzed using the string method)
Don't overtighten the chain
Fit a scottoiler with a dual nozzle
Don't think about it, enjoy 20k+ chain life.

[MisterPrice10...]

I'll admit defeat on this one! Definitely didn't understand how they worked properly and had poor advice off the one other person I knew who had one so today is a school day for me!

(I probably should of educated myself on them a bit sooner, but if i did everything I probably should of done I wouldn't have a bike aha)

Good calls all round on the alignment. Looks like im gonna have to spend some £££ but if thats what it takes then thats what we will do!

Will be for after cold weather now but I'm sure ill come back asking for help in the spring! Cheers again
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18 bikes later and still no idea what i'm doing.

[MisterPrice10...]

I was going to wait until after the cold weather to sort the bike but I am impatient!


Bike is booked in for a new chain and wheel alignment check next week.

DID XV chain and following the above advice should do the trick (i hope!)


Ideally I would like to do the work myself but I have moved 200 miles from home to a house with no drive / garage and don't have tools or facilities to do it here. Im hoping having a professional opinion on it wll highlight any contributing factors but as I say following the above advice should see me right.

Thanks for all the help with it again, even 10 years into biking every day is a school day!

Cheers
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18 bikes later and still no idea what i'm doing.

[Confusion]