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Advice on what chain to use?

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

  1. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    if a 530 chain is for a 80's 550, what size would you recommend for say a R1 or a GSXR1000 maybe a CBR1000RR ?
    do they sell spare master links for non o-ring chain? Hmmmmmm
     
  2. Kickaha

    Kickaha Active Member Premium Member

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    520 chains get used on late model 600cc bikes putting out double the HP of the 550, they run them on F1 sidecars and 1000cc Superbikes in racing, granted they would be replacing them more often but running a good quality 520 chain on a XJ550 wouldn't be a problem and I'd expect good life out of it

    A standard non o ring 530 which the XJ550 would of originally been fitted with has a lower tensile strength than a o ring 520, whether the price difference between chain and sprockets over there makes it worth doing is another thing but 520 here is considerably cheaper
     
  3. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    When your going 520 go up one on front and up 3 on the back you can go 520 load is ok
     
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  4. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    did you find that on the web or are you just really smart ? :)
     
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  5. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    Rivet only on new chains. I have never used clip type on newer bikes!!!
     
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  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I read mfg specs and follow them
     
  7. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    of course they do and when i take one off i replace it with a new one, I would never use one to repair a chain.

    as far as the bikes you list I would use one from the bike mfg or their suggested chain mfg, when you have to purchase after market chains I would go by the mfg spec as well.

    link to chain specs
    http://www.yaban.com/upload/en/85/14_file_1.pdf

    what do you have to support your claims?
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2015
  8. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    this was for Toomanybikes, sorry for the confusion

    now my support, here ya go
    http://www.didchain.com/standardChains.html read the last line on the page
    http://www.didchain.com/streetChains.html look at the 520 size
    http://www.didchain.com/chainSpecs.html some specs to ponder
    http://www.didchain.com/streetChains.html street chains, no mention of standard chains
    http://www.bikemaster.com/chain.html?limit=all&store= any 520 sealed is stronger than any size non sealed

    then there's this from
    http://www.motorcycle.com/products/all-about-chains-3524.html
    "You have to look closer and deeper" says Longoni. "The GP bikes of the late seventies like the ones Roberts rode made just over 110-120 HP and used a 530-size chain weighting about 2.5 lb. per yard. Today GP racers produce close to 200 HP but manage with a 520-size chain that weights only 2.3 lb. per yard. That's no mean feat. All those internal improvements in materials and technology are simply not visible to the naked eye."

    how about them apples
     
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    the apples support what I said I guess if you do not want to clean and lube your chain, you can get an o ring I never mentioned the X ring but will also include it.
    The 530HD 104 chain is the chain that was oem for all xj550.
    The chain on your bike life span will be affected by how you ride and maintaince of the chain
    Yamaha’s daily routine in owners manual is to check tension and condition daily. States to Check tension and lube every 300 miles
    FSM states the same but adds in regards to cleaning and lubing” that it is preferable after every use”

    When poster suggested going to a 520 chain did not state HD ,o ring , or x ring so by oem specs it is the wrong chain. According to aftermarket mfg it is the wrong chain.
    In second post stated 520 o ring chain which would be in the proper strength needed


    From xj4ever.com catalog
    For an XJ550 or FJ600 engine, anything above 7,000 pounds of tensile strength is more than adequate for even a high-performance, enthusiastically driven street bike.

    good basic chain such these will last about as long as an original chain, somewhere between 10,000 to 15,000 miles.
    O-Ring style chains can generally be expected to last about 30% longer than a standard type chain, 13k-19.5k miles =3k to 4.5k more miles

    O ring chain mfg will void warenty if o ring master link is not riveted and clip style used

    3x cost of standard chain does not last 3 times as long

    X-Ring style chains cost a bit more, but you can normally expect an additional 25-40% chain life over an o-ring style chain. 16250/24375 to 18200/27300 miles

    Cost 3.5 times standard chain does not last 3.5 times as long

    X ring chain mfg will void warenty if o ring master link is not riveted and clip style used

    above costs do not include cost of riveter tool
     
  10. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    i give, do exactly what it says in the book
     
  11. k-moe

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

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    Shaft. Done. :p
     
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  12. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    its about economics to me that's all ,but enough has been said on this subject
     
  13. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    Don't forget to add the cost of worn-out sprocket replacements (which may occur) when using lesser-quality (or life) chains....
     
  14. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    did that in an earlier post
    and that would be covered by just the cost of o ring chain in the second .
    of course I have no problem with maintaining the chain per fsm which does recomend after every ride, eod I clean and lube chain.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2015
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