O-ring chain vs racing chains

[GoldOxide_imp]

With regards to Flynrider's post above:

"I always run my chains at the loose end of the spec. I've found that they wear a lot less than tight chains."

I agree with this, (although we have found thru the forum that the CB seems to shift a little smoother with a chain adjusted to the tighter end of the spec)

"I didn't used to clean my chains and they'd generally be toast by 20K miles. 10 years ago I started giving the chains a good scrubbing with a brush and kerosene at every oil change. This easily doubles the life of the chain".

I disagree with this. I'm about as lax as it comes to chain maintenance. Never check tension, rarely lube (when it looks dry or after I've ridden in a soaking rain..I use a spray lube for convenience), never clean (I think I cleaned my first chain once, but have never cleaned my second chain). They get adjusted when I get a new rear tire every 9,000 miles (approx). In 73,334 miles, since I don't install my own tires, it's been years since I personally have had to adjust my chain. I can't remember when the last time I did this. Years!

My original chain went 36,909 miles before I replaced with another OEM chain. If I remember right, the replacement chain and sprockets and rubber dampers was just over $400 with labor.

I currently have 36,425 miles on the replacement chain.

Seeing as how the average motorcyclist in the US rides about 3,000 miles a year, the stock O ring chain on a CB 1100 should last them a decade before needing replacement, with very little maintenance.

I think today's chains are just far, far superior than the non O ring chains Flynrider (and everyone else, including me) was replacing every 20K miles back in the day.

I'd still rather have a shaft drive on my bikes, although a retro bike like the CB should have a chain, but living with today's O ring (and x ring) chains isn't half bad compared to the days when we ran non O ring chains.

Can't agree more.

I will probably never replace my chain or sprockets. Since it is automatically lubed by the very low maintenance Tutoro unit (just fill every several thousand kilometers), I worry much less of road salt corrosion caused by winter riding, and risking o-ring damage. In addition, since gear shifting is very smooth, hopefully that is not a factor to think about either.

If it wasn't for road salt, say perhaps like in Alabama (?), I probably would not lube my chain as often as it is now. Come to think of it, I seldom lubed my non-sealed chains back in the early 80s.