DID silver plated ZVM-X chains

[Houtman_imp]

I am thinking that down the road I would like to change my chains to a DID silver plated ZVM-X chains.
Does any one have any experience with their gold/silver plated chains : does the plating last for the life of the chain ?

[Jim21680_imp]

There's a few reviews on Amazon that seem positive, but nothing really long-term. Regardless, I'd imagine the gold or nickel color would last the entire life of the chain, at least on the non-wear outer surfaces that we usually see.

I hope you enjoy cleaning your chain though!

[Houtman_imp]

I do not like cleaning my chains ! Hoping a plated one will look better for a longer time than the "natural " ones.

[Rocky_imp]

I've been using "gold plated" DID chains for years and they soon get covered in dirt so if you want the plating to show they need to be cleaned quite often.
Once I clean off the dirt (not that often) the plating looks as good as new.

[dave]

I've been using "gold plated" DID chains for years and they soon get covered in dirt so if you want the plating to show they need to be cleaned quite often.
Once I clean off the dirt (not that often) the plating looks as good as new.

I second Rocky's comments.

[Houtman_imp]

I did order the silver plated DID chain ZVM-X from Sprocket Center and hope to receive it soon.
Interesting fact : my 2013 has the ZVM-X from new but my 2014 and 2017 has a lighter DID 50VA chain on them . I was go to put my new chain on the 2013 but that chain still looks like new , however the chain on the 2014 with less miles and the same frequency of oiling has a little rust on it. The side plates on the later chains are less substantial than the 2013 ZVM-X chain on my 2013.
Honda must have started using lighter and cheaper chains after 2013.
They did the same on the CBX , the 1979 had a 630 chain and in 1980 they used the 530.
I will replace both 2014 and 2017 chains to the better and nicer looking silver plated ZVM-X , not that they are worn out yet but there is no better place to "waste" money than on a motorcycle !

[Houtman_imp]

Today I put the silver plated DID 530 ZVM-X on my 2014 with 9250 miles. The original chain had a little rust showing on the outside but when I took it off there was quite a bit of rust on the inside plates.
I did apparently not do a good job with chain maintenance ! I used the Honda Chain Lube with "moly" but probably did not do this often enough. Especially not after a wet ride.
DID recommends using 80/90 gear oil and that what I will use from now onwards AND more often.
The silver plated chain looks nice and I will put them also on my 2013 and 2017

[GoldOxide_imp]

I don't understand the purpose of silver plated chains. Unlike gold, silver is a highly reactive metal and oxides quite readily, especially if it is not "pure" e.g. 0.9999 silver.

Both silver and especially gold are soft metals. So the inner sprocket-facing surfaces will experience wear. So while gold will look pretty on the outside (non-sprocket) chain surfaces, what else is the purpose? Sounds like a waste of natural resources to me.

- - -

I've used this successfully on the CB: https://www.tutorochainoiler.com/

No electronics, no fiddling - just good ol' Mother Nature gravity and riding love. I hate routine chain maintenance.

[Houtman_imp]

The names Gold and Silver plated are just describing the colors , not real gold or silver !

[GoldOxide_imp]

Okay thanks Houtman. In that case, replace gold and silver with anodized gold/silver colour. Has anything really changed?
Considering alternatives to chain (I hate chain maintenance), and likewise shaft (mechanics are usually somewhat heavy for one thing), what do people think what Yamaha did with the later model Bolt?

I mean, yeah, the set-up is HD-ugly-like, but my understanding is the *Yamaha-specific* belt is essentially maintenance free, has ultra long replacement life, does not come off in sandy riding environments, is cheap and is quiet. Other than ugly, a large rear sprocket/pulley thang, why don't we see more of these on machines?

Definitely not consistent with the traditional intent of the CB, but what about other bikes? Does it come down to the sucky appearance? Something else?