Here's the Driven Sprocket and Slider. Chain - go X or O-ring?

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Pulled the rear wheel off, broke the chain and removed the driven sprocket. I also removed the chain slider for inspection. With the drive sprocket removed, the chain off and rear wheel removed the chain slider was readily removed without removing the swing arm as recommended by the service manual.

Similar to the drive sprocket the driven sprocket is in reasonable, but worn, condition. As I had reached the limit of chain adjustment and still had over 40mm of chain slack that would indicate the chain was well and truly ....um .....er...., well, at the end of its life. The chain was also very noisy, sort of "graunching" noises when not under high load. I'm wondering whether to replace the chain with the DID or RK O-ring chain specified in the manual (mine was a DID) or go to an X-ring. The X-ring being about 75% more expensive. Anyone got any ideas?

The chain slider still had plenty of meat on it. It will go back on.

Here are some photos:









Cheers

[the Ferret]

I hear the X rings are better chains ( and I put one on my 750 Nighthawk a few thousand miles before I sold it so I can't verify) ... that being said it wont be 75% better if that's the cost difference. You really can't complain about the service life you got out of the stock o ring chain as the sprockets were also worn to the point of replacement.

Most bikes these days call for an endless chain. Since you decided not to remove the swingarm, you will have to use a staked chain. This isn't difficult but does require caution when affixing the staking link. Use a dial caliper for measuring the amount of compression and head size on pins of the link being staked. There is a spec on this. Compress the pins too much and it will creat a tight spot.

Either brand DID or RK make good chains. I believe I used a DID last time.

Just out of curiosity was the chain guide rubber worn to spec?

[Django]

The chain must not live longer than the sprockets.

When your sprockets are worn out, you would replace the chain anyway. If not, a used chain would wear out the new sprockets rapidly again.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Thanks Ferret. I am aware of chain staking requirements and have a chain tool and both verniers and micrometers. I haven't been able to track down a 530/110 chain here in OZ. 530/120 and 530/114 seem to be readily available. But I will keep trying. If I find an endless 110 I will remove the swingarm to fit it.

No the guide, or slider I guess, is good. It has lines outside the arrows as wear minimums. See the photo below of the slider I took off and you will, I hope, get my drift. There is plenty of meat left.




I think I will take your advice regarding the chain and stick with O-ring. Chain and sprocket wear are related so I wonder if an X-ring will reduce sprocket wear.

Thanks for your helpful advice.

[the Ferret]

Oh wow, I thought that was the new slider pad (looks new to me). Yea that appears good for a lot more miles.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

The chain must not live longer than the sprockets.

When your sprockets are worn out, you would replace the chain anyway. If not, a used chain would wear out the new sprockets rapidly again.

Thanks Django. Understood. I have already broken the chain which is kaputt. I will replace the sprockets. I am just wondering if an X-ring chain will give me longer chain life as well as longer sprocket life.

Cheers

[the Ferret]

Ptero like anything else in this world... tires, oil, filters, air filters, there is no one concensus. I googled it and the manufacture claims longer life, less rolling resistance etc etc for the X ring chain. Members of various forums however can't agree on this with some stating from worse to no longer life up to same and longer life. Or as my brother likes to say "This is the best/worst thing I ever bought, it's the noisiest/quietest, the least/longest wearing, runs true to size/order the next (pick one) larger/smaller size, totally waterproof/leaks like a sieve etc etc product per the reviewers.

Try an X ring, and in 5 years report back. What have you got to lose? It's only money.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

OK. In five years time expect the "Mother of all Threads". A chain thread. .

Cheers

[the Ferret]

Somebody get this guy a definitive answer...QUICK!

[redbirds_imp]

Since sprockets seem to wear faster than chains it would seem a waste to spend more for an X-ring chain that will be dependent on sprocket wear as the measure of it's true service life. Good write up and pics Ptero.