Chain Life?
#1
Chain Life?
How many miles do you get out of your chain? All 3 of my previous bikes (78 CX500, 86 700 Nighthawk S, 83 BMW R100RS) were shaft drive. 150,000 miles combined with no chain worries.
My old canyon riding buddies from the 80's were replacing chains every 10,000 miles back then, on bikes with much less torque than a VTR. I know O-ring chains have much longer life, but how long? I have 25,000 on my 05 with the stock chain, and the adjustment is just outside the "new" range on the left swingarm. The rear sprocket looks good as well.
I use the torque our bikes have, that's why I bought a VTR, but I don't clutch up wheelies. Shaft drive sure was easy and clean, but I don't miss the added weight.
My old canyon riding buddies from the 80's were replacing chains every 10,000 miles back then, on bikes with much less torque than a VTR. I know O-ring chains have much longer life, but how long? I have 25,000 on my 05 with the stock chain, and the adjustment is just outside the "new" range on the left swingarm. The rear sprocket looks good as well.
I use the torque our bikes have, that's why I bought a VTR, but I don't clutch up wheelies. Shaft drive sure was easy and clean, but I don't miss the added weight.
#2
I got 15k out of my old chain before it started getting noisy (I replaced it with a D.I.D. X-Ring Gold chain which was noisy as hell out of the box.). It really depends on how you keep up on your chain maintenance,. I buy a lot of bikes that have clapped out chain at less that 10k miles some less than 5k.
#3
I lube it about every 500 miles, but I rarely clean it other than wiping it with an old sock before lubing. Cleaning seems too messy and a pain in the ***, but maybe I'll do it more often now that I'm retired.
#4
Teflon spray lube and wipe with a clean rag when I think about it, 28K mi and very little wear. The beauty of teflon is that, unlike chain wax etc, road dirt and grime won't stick to it. No grit, ergo, little chain wear.
I also use it to clean the switch internals, lube the cables, clean and lube the clutch push rod etc.
I also use it to clean the switch internals, lube the cables, clean and lube the clutch push rod etc.
#6
On a Jonda, or a Hondo...
Squid
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Fort Bragg/Fayetteville... for now
Posts: 62
Lowe's home improvement store, multi-use teflon lube is what I use, safe for O-ring chains. And it even has a little graphic of a motorcycle there on the side of the bottle.
#7
Until recently I'd been doing the chain per Honda's recommendation- brushing/flooding with kero or diesel at the rear sprocket, letting it drip into a pan, wiping with a clean shop rag, then painting it with gear oil and wiping again. Works fine but the gear oil picks up a lot of dirt and grit.
Lately I've been flooding the chain with Walmart Super Tech version of WD-40 and wiping it every 200 miles or so. Chain seems to stay cleaner this way.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
Lately I've been flooding the chain with Walmart Super Tech version of WD-40 and wiping it every 200 miles or so. Chain seems to stay cleaner this way.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
#9
I've used 3 different types of chain lube, based on recommendations of guys who work in mc shops. Each one seems to have his own favorite. The last one I used slings all over the wheel and tire the first time I ride after a lube. So I'm going back to a lube with teflon...it leaves a white film, but it doesn't sling off.
#10
With proper maintenance the chain will last a very long time. BUT, it's not the chain that is the limiting factor. It's the front sprocket. That sprocket sees a tooth 3 times more than any tooth on the rear sprocket. So, if you are starting to show wear (sharktoothing) on the rear then you damned well better pull that countersprocket cover off and check it there. And ALWAYS replace chain and sprockets as a set!
#11
With proper maintenance the chain will last a very long time. BUT, it's not the chain that is the limiting factor. It's the front sprocket. That sprocket sees a tooth 3 times more than any tooth on the rear sprocket. So, if you are starting to show wear (sharktoothing) on the rear then you damned well better pull that countersprocket cover off and check it there. And ALWAYS replace chain and sprockets as a set!
#12
I just bought some of that DuPont Teflon multi-purpose spray today. says on the can safe for o-rings and mentions motorcycles! can't wait to give it a shot. I plan on cleaning the chain with kerosene too.
#13
Teflon spray lube and wipe with a clean rag when I think about it, 28K mi and very little wear. The beauty of teflon is that, unlike chain wax etc, road dirt and grime won't stick to it. No grit, ergo, little chain wear.
I also use it to clean the switch internals, lube the cables, clean and lube the clutch push rod etc.
I also use it to clean the switch internals, lube the cables, clean and lube the clutch push rod etc.
when you clean the switch internals, do you mean just spray the gaps to the sides of them? or do you fully disassemble the switches first?
#15
#16
Until recently I'd been doing the chain per Honda's recommendation- brushing/flooding with kero or diesel at the rear sprocket, letting it drip into a pan, wiping with a clean shop rag, then painting it with gear oil and wiping again. Works fine but the gear oil picks up a lot of dirt and grit.
Lately I've been flooding the chain with Walmart Super Tech version of WD-40 and wiping it every 200 miles or so. Chain seems to stay cleaner this way.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
Lately I've been flooding the chain with Walmart Super Tech version of WD-40 and wiping it every 200 miles or so. Chain seems to stay cleaner this way.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
#18
I cleaned the chain with kerosene and used that teflon spray. seems to works great. I couldn't believe the nastiness that was on my chain! I was neglecting it for the last 1400 miles! never again!
#19
Until recently Lately I've been flooding the chain with Walmart Super Tech version of WD-40 and wiping it every 200 miles or so. Chain seems to stay cleaner this way.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
I've got about 14k miles on the original chain and it's in excellent shape. I'd be surprised if it didn't last for 30k.
#20
#21
I am replacing my chain this weekend, along with front and rear sprockets. I went with the 530 DID X-Ring Chain, and the stock 15 and stock 41 tooth sprockets. I am close to 19,000 miles on the stock chain; and its been taken care of the whole time. Its just getting a bit noisy, and the sprockets need to be replaced anyways!
#22
I am replacing my chain this weekend, along with front and rear sprockets. I went with the 530 DID X-Ring Chain, and the stock 15 and stock 41 tooth sprockets. I am close to 19,000 miles on the stock chain; and its been taken care of the whole time. Its just getting a bit noisy, and the sprockets need to be replaced anyways!
#24
http://www.wd40.com/faqs/
What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.
#25
Sure it tells you that you can use it on all those things, but it's not good for rubber and plastic. My friends used to coat their MX bikes with WD-40 to make them shine. But when you washed it off after the race, the plastic was all dull. They wondered why my bike stayed looking like new. Simple; I used Armor All.
Solvents are not very good for rubber and plastic. Solvents break down organics. Rubber and plastics are organics. Simple chemistry. Something that breaks down and removes glue, a compound with properties similar to rubber probably is not very good for rubber.
Solvents are not very good for rubber and plastic. Solvents break down organics. Rubber and plastics are organics. Simple chemistry. Something that breaks down and removes glue, a compound with properties similar to rubber probably is not very good for rubber.
#26
http://www.wd40.com/faqs/
What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 on?
WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40.
I have used WD-40 to clean baked on grasshopper guts from the fairing with no ill effects. Is great for cleaning crud from the back wheel. Bloody magic stuff. Whoever says its hurts rubber is trying to sell you something else
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blamecanada
General Discussion
0
03-12-2012 05:23 PM
vtrlvr
Modifications - Performance
11
04-09-2007 10:52 AM