$100 for a drive chain?

7000 · Feb 12, 2011

My local vintage british bike shop quoted me $100 for a non O-ring chain. Is this normal? A drive chain is nothing special, right? Maybe NAPA can beat that price, or should I just drive into the city and get the bike shop chain, knowing it's for a Commando?

bwolfie · Feb 12, 2011

a 530 chain should only run you $30. The british shop is on crack.

pelican · Feb 12, 2011

it's like anything else, you get what you pay for... I wouldn't plunk down the $100 without finding out what brand it is first. Of course you can get cheaper. Shop around and get one based on what you are willing to spend and brand reliability.

7000 · Feb 12, 2011

Thanks for the speedy replies. After tax and the gas to get there and back, that chain is up to about $130. I'll look around.

swooshdave · Feb 12, 2011

7000 said:
Thanks for the speedy replies. After tax and the gas to get there and back, that chain is up to about $130. I'll look around.

Of course we don't know where you are so...

7000 · Feb 12, 2011

I'm just outside of San Diego, so I probably have convienient options. I've been loyal to these guys for two decades, but maybe I need an alternate source.

RoadScholar · Feb 12, 2011

The internet!!

No gas, no tax, just know what you are buying.

RS

grandpaul · Feb 12, 2011

You (or they) have GOT to be kidding.

A high quality chain for a Commando can be sourced from vendors that have been highly recommended on this forum, for under $50 to your door.

bwolfie · Feb 12, 2011

I got both of my 520 X-ring chains shipped for under $50. At the local bearing house I can get a stainless steel 530 roller chain for under $100.

DogT · Feb 12, 2011

I opted to buy a standard chain from Old Britts for $35 and change it often. That's like filling up the P/U with fuel one time.

Dave
69S

grandpaul · Feb 12, 2011

I want a truck like yours. Mine takes $70 and change to fill up...

79x100 · Feb 12, 2011

Oh stop whinging chaps ! My Roadster takes 20 Dollars to fill up ! :cry:

I'd check prices but if 100 Dollar (£60) was the going rate for an Iwis chain locally, I'd pay it. A rough chain makes for a rough Commando.

Diablouph · Feb 12, 2011

Oh stop whinging chaps ! My Roadster takes 20 Dollars to fill up !

I thought the primary purpose of this forum was to whine? It's saved me a fortune in psych bills.

Unclviny · Feb 12, 2011

Try Trophy Motorcycles in San Diego

http://www.trophymotorcycles.com/site/

Tim is a good guy.

Vince

Gino Rondelli · Feb 13, 2011

I pay around 25 - 30 Pounds usually, they only last 4000 miles anyway (usually do that on my annual holiday) Avoid Chinese, some of the other oriental brands are OK, Renolds in my opinion have lost the plot, expensive and rubbish.

79x100 you stay off that strong Belgian beer coming on here and winding people up! Booked my ferry for the BBA, see you there with your $20 worth of gas (I'll bring the whisky) :evil:

bwolfie · Feb 14, 2011

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-C ... 35b00010f6

pete.v · Feb 14, 2011

$100, phew. Gold plated? Most any bike shop will have 530 chain. Don,t worry if it is 120 links. Just grind off what you don't need. I don't think heavy duty is needed either. You should be able to get something good for under $50.00. Even Old Britts sells RK for $25.00.

Daniel · Feb 16, 2011

Ahem..I just forked out 119€ (or 162$) for a drive chain. But including shipping

. Not a std chain though but a Tsubaki Delta X-Ring chain which just fits through the tunnel between gearbox and primary chain case. Width of the previous cheapo no-name czech chain was around 22mm, this one now has 24,8mm at the link..apparently I am lucky to be able to fit it without any other mods (MKIIa). I will see how it holds up..I don't mind to spend more if I get quality. I was really tired of adjusting the chain tension every 500km or so, hope to run it at least 2,000km or more before it needs attention.

Any meaningful report will have to wait a few weeks though as I have just sent in my carbs for resleeving, this should take around 4 weeks :roll: . (I couldn't believe the condition they were in after only 15,000 miles..silly.).

Cheers,

Daniel

xbacksideslider · Feb 16, 2011

I bought a gold O-ring chain because I thought it would look good and go farther. It just cleared the trans and primary but it scraped and rattled the chain guard so I ran around without the chain guard until I decided that that chain was wore out. Of course, it really wasn't worn out.

Is there a brand or model of O-ring or X-ring chain that will clear everything?

Maybe change/cut down sprockets to 520?

cjandme · Feb 16, 2011

I saw on Oldbrits where they will mill your sprocket to 520. Cj

$100 for a drive chain?

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