[jballa]

Every 8K miles I'm puting a chain on my bike... the links stop bending as it comes around the sprocket and goes from loose to tight - makes a ton of noise. My buddy has a Buell XB-12R with a belt drive, I cussed at him this weekend b/c I was jealous he gets 25-30K on a belt!

So I always buy the X-ring chains, and lube them about every 3rd ride using the oil-type motorcycle chain lube (similar to WD40). I used to use the suzuki lube but it was so thick it caked everywhere and was messy. The roads are now covered in DOT POOP so that's probably why this chain only has 6K and its starting to suck but during the summer it's not much better.


Anyone got any ideas as to how to extend the life?
Any particular lubes you find to be the best?
A brand of chain that may last a little longer?
Is X-ring really any better than O-ring?
Should I be oiling every ride or is that overkill?

 

[silversx80]

525 DID chain and stock sprocket sizes (still stock). Clean every oil change (lamp oil) and lube every 600-1000 miles with DuPont Teflon MultiUse lube. Chain slack is at about 1" and I have 15,000 miles on this one.

 

[Lordred]

10k miles on my chain, still looks new. I lube every 2nd ride. (I live in a very dirty envrioment so i want to make sure the chain is lubed on the inside)

 

[Zach]

are you keeping the chain in proper tension?

if you actually keep it clean and lubed every third ride and in proper tension, you should get much more than 8k.

Out of curiosity, did you change your chain without changing sprockets? If so, you can wear out a chain faster.

 

[SpeedisaVirus]

8k? You are either getting chinese chains made of lead or you are doing something wrong. Either way...FAIL. Get someone to go over the entire chain maintenance routine and watch them. Ask questions and repeat until you are sure you are doing it right.

 

[fivetoez]

I was having similar issues,(bound links) even w/ meticulious cleaning,& 1-2" of slack adj.... soo i bought a 9,500lb. tensile strength $155.00 chain, i believe D I D makes it, it's a #525 ZVM2,
& it solved my problems.

 

[trunkmonkey]

Ur post only mentions that u lube the chain, but not clean it. It needs to be cleaned as well as lubed if u don't. I like maxima chain wax. No fling and stands up to road gunk in the rain here in oregon. 13K on my chain so far, but might need to be replaced at 15k. Slack is coming faster and faster now with tiny kinks. We'll see. I clean and lube every 1k miles

 

[jballa]

Thanks for the ideas - Lets see, to answer in order

Zach - I check the tension, and its starting to get loose but the links bind just before an adjustment is needed.
The first chain I put on @ 8K I did change the sprockets (stock #), but the 2nd chain (about 16k) the shop told me the sprocket looked brand new so I didn't. Funny thing about the shop is, I went to a better shop for my tires the next day and the guy commented on how tight the chain and axle bolts were. (should I call them out? - cycle shack in Roanoke, VA :spank

Fivetoez +1 - thanks

Trunkmonkey - I actually don't clean it with lamp oil, but the I use the lube in excess so that the spray velocity and composition blows off most of the dirt. I will definately try better cleaning.


I noticed at lunch that the chain has been excessively heated - I could see discoloration on the bare metal that touches the sprockets. I'm wondering if my wheelies are f'n it up???

 

[Chubblebeeks]

Consider a manual (Loobman) or automatic (Scottoiler) chain oiling system. Some of the testimonials/reviews of chain life are incredible...

 

[Zach]

if you see a red color, it's the clay coming out of the o-rings. indicating that they are shot.

 

[SpeedisaVirus]

Consider a manual (Loobman) or automatic (Scottoiler) chain oiling system. Some of the testimonials/reviews of chain life are incredible...

These will help if the chain is adjusted correctly. I really don't think it is.

 

[Richy_T]

Make sure you don't overtighten the chain. If those guys say it was, it probably was.

 

[RandyO]

with a scottoiler, my front sprocket wears out at about 35,000

chain & rear sprocket hardly show wear but I change as a set

 

[trunkmonkey]

Holy crap 35k. I will have to look into this, is their much fling associated with the oiler?

 

[Zach]

Holy crap 35k. I will have to look into this, is their much fling associated with the oiler?

you have to calibrate it right and leave your chain guard on.

 

[buzzmanrm]

I got about 18K on my stocker. I ride the same roads as Jballa and usually carry a 120LBS passenger 70% of the time.

I keep mine adjusted, wash the chain twice between oil changes. Lube with Maxim Chain Wax bought at Lynchburg Suzuki FTW.

Probably adjustments are not correct causing binding or bending links. Wheelies shouldn't hurt a chain to much cause some excessive stretch, I wouldn't know the Reckless tickets and bike impoundings are getting pretty hefty in my area.

Jballa are you rotating the tire evenly whenever you tighten or lube your chain.

 

[maleman876]

i was sorta slack on my adjustments, and only oiled my chain every few hundred (never cleaned it) and it and the sprockets were fine at 13k when i sold my SV. guess i got lucky.

my drz is at 4k and is fine, same thing i only oil it and adjust it when it get way out of whack. but its a sumo so i dont expect the chain to last as long.

buell has a belt

 

[tcl]

Too tight kills them fast.

 

[SV_WantABe]

Too tight is also my guess. Read the owner's manual.

 

[ironguy]

does lamp oil remove rust from the chain? if not what else is more effective to get rid of the rust?