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Advice on what chain to use?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by CruiseAck, Aug 19, 2015.

  1. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    Hello Everyone,

    I have an 81 Seca, and want to know your personal preference on chains. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm a broke a$$ so i dont want a crazy $300 item. But i do realize the importance of good quality, so i wont go cheap either.

    Lets hear it!

    thanks
    Josh.
     
  2. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

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    Start a conversation with member Chacal. He'll get you what you need.

    Gary H.
     
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  3. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    I'm not brand particular, but go with an O or X ring chain. Less maintenance and much more life. Good chances if your chain is worn, you will need sprockets too.
     
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  4. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    you need a 530 heavy duty 104 link chain you gain nothing buy getting an oring chain not worth the extra money.
    x ring chains are very good but pricy
     
  5. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    I disagree. With the O ring, the lube stays in the sleeve for the pin and the elements stay out. With a traditional chain, you have to lube the entire chain and that attracts dirt etc. making a paste that will grind away at the sprockets and rollers. With O and X ring, you don't need the "sticky" grease on the outside of the chain, you can almost run them dry but a conservative coat of a dry chain wax etc. is good. X ring just takes it up a notch as you get two seals on each side instead of one.

    I'm no expert but the logic makes sense. I've always replaced my chains with O or X Ring and have gotten many years out of them. If you don't mind cleaning and lubing the regular chains frequently, then I assume those would be alright too.

    FWIW, I was able to replace the chain and sprockets on two bikes recently for about $140 using X Ring.
     
  6. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    Here's a good shot of what happens to the sprockets as a chain wears and "stretches" as a result. It'll eat into the "driven" side making it into a hook eventually. Put a new chain on there and it will not sit correctly in the sprocket forcing it to stretch into the space created by the old chain.

    You can ignore the size difference, I went from 630 to 530 on my KZ.

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    Id like to see that picture, if you could re load it. just curious. Thanks!
     
  8. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    I can see it, you can't? I can msg you if you like.
     
  9. XJOE550

    XJOE550 Active Member

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    Check the condition of your drive and driven sprockets before ordering a chain. May as well get them at the same time if they need to be replaced.
     
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  10. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    I don't see a picture either, just brackets with IMG in between them..... Funny when I typed the brackets and IMG it came up blank like this


    I have a shaft driven XJ.
    Oh snap! :)
     
  11. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    20140729_155850.jpg
     
  12. CruiseAck

    CruiseAck New Member

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    yeah.... definitely see what youre talking about now.. wow.
     
  13. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    care to share where you got such a good deal, 70$ for xring chain and sprockets is a fantastic price.
     
  14. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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  15. jayrodoh

    jayrodoh YimYam Premium Member

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    I worded that wrong, that was each bike. $70 would be fantastic!
     
  16. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    non o-ring chains are throw aways for dirt bikes
     
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  17. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    An o-ring chain will last for 20,000 miles or more even without much care. A non-o-ring chain might give you 10,000 miles use with daily cleaning and lubrication. If you wonder why there are so few shaft driven sports-touring bikes now (unlike when our bikes were new) it's because of the advent of the o-ring chain.
     
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  18. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

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    If you're doing sprockets as well I'd be looking at doing a 520 conversion, it can handle late model 600cc power and costs less than 530
     
  19. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    Did that when I was young and dumb.purchased a new chain installed on beat sprockets and it didn't last 1000 miles and it was toast.
     
  20. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    520 chain is not rated for a xj550 it would be under spec for load rating.
    for the initial cost of installing an o ring chain, 70$ chain 30$ for the rivet on master link ( why does the ml not come with the chain) and 89$ for the chain riveter total 189$ I could replace chain and sprockets every year for 2 years and buy a spare chain. if o ring is replaced every 2 years. i would have saved enough money for the full set up ( chain and sprockets)for 3 years.
    not cost effective. considering that I did not know how the bike would run the 530 HD chain was the best choice.
    I have recently found o ring master links clip on style for 5$ to 15$ the selling point on them is to carry one to repair your o ring chain Hmmmmm.

    I look at the chain as a consumable on the bike and have no problem replacing the chain every year. comes with 20K /1 year warranty which means to me it is good for 1 year.
    I do clean my chain after done riding for the day and lube it too. I would do the same for an o ring chain
     

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