Chains
- Thread starter richard-7
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Buy the best chain you can afford . Do not skimp on the chain . The factory Regina 525 ZRP is a very good chain . There may be lighter chains , but not stronger. If you're just going to put it on used sprockets then I wouldn't bother getting a top tier chain either. I lubricate my chain after every days riding . As you know , I only have 6,000 miles on mine , but it is going very well. I would think that 15,000 miles is an achievable goal , maybe even 20,000 miles with regular lubrication. Motus Motorcycle expects 20,000 miles from their chains . They are running a 530 on that bike though.
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I found this on forum about Regina. There are other good chains EK , RK , DID Tsubaki . There are also many other brands , the point is buy the strongest chain you can afford . Please read below :
Most say good 520 chains these days will not snap, most sell DID and say they are good with few probs and are happy to fit… but the Regina O or X ring chains are consistently the best by reputation, and the X-rings out last 2 sets of sprockets and the even the bikes they are fitted to. OK so far sounds great…
An american magazine test found that the claimed breaking strain on all chains were easily 100% exaggerated some OM replacement chains were 1/4 the strength they claim. But RK DID and Regina were the best for strait breaking strain. They jet washed all 13 chains and found that only the Regina X ring chains kept their lube in after 4 mins jet wash, hence I guess their super long life reports.
A friend who was a KTM enduro works “spanner monkey” said that they would use non ringed chains for most races as the ringed ones are a little stiffer especially for the first 200km and it saps some horse power that the works bikes have worked hard to get, so money no object they they would change them every race. He was sponsored by RK, but they sold those chains to unsponsored racers if they were doing long events and bought and fitted Regina instead as they only needed adjustment once after fitting, other makes would stretch too much under race conditions leading to some adjustments mid race that are a problem you do not need when on the clock.
Regina 525 ZRP Series Chains are original equipment on Aprilia RSV4, BMW S1000RR, Ducati Panigale 1199, KTM RC8 and many others (and Norton !) . Z-ring chains feature the patented Z44 sealing rings, which greatly improve performance and wear life.
Most say good 520 chains these days will not snap, most sell DID and say they are good with few probs and are happy to fit… but the Regina O or X ring chains are consistently the best by reputation, and the X-rings out last 2 sets of sprockets and the even the bikes they are fitted to. OK so far sounds great…
An american magazine test found that the claimed breaking strain on all chains were easily 100% exaggerated some OM replacement chains were 1/4 the strength they claim. But RK DID and Regina were the best for strait breaking strain. They jet washed all 13 chains and found that only the Regina X ring chains kept their lube in after 4 mins jet wash, hence I guess their super long life reports.
A friend who was a KTM enduro works “spanner monkey” said that they would use non ringed chains for most races as the ringed ones are a little stiffer especially for the first 200km and it saps some horse power that the works bikes have worked hard to get, so money no object they they would change them every race. He was sponsored by RK, but they sold those chains to unsponsored racers if they were doing long events and bought and fitted Regina instead as they only needed adjustment once after fitting, other makes would stretch too much under race conditions leading to some adjustments mid race that are a problem you do not need when on the clock.
Regina 525 ZRP Series Chains are original equipment on Aprilia RSV4, BMW S1000RR, Ducati Panigale 1199, KTM RC8 and many others (and Norton !) . Z-ring chains feature the patented Z44 sealing rings, which greatly improve performance and wear life.
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Good info. Thanks for sharing.
I read that my chain should be good for 24,000 miles with normal use. Ive only ever adjusted it twice and still feels and looks good. I'm replacing the aluminum sprocket and tire in the next couple weeks also pulling trans to take a peak and replaceing brake and clutch fluids.
I read that my chain should be good for 24,000 miles with normal use. Ive only ever adjusted it twice and still feels and looks good. I'm replacing the aluminum sprocket and tire in the next couple weeks also pulling trans to take a peak and replaceing brake and clutch fluids.
Fast Eddie
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TonyA said:
You've made them sound so good, I want one for the BMW...!
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Britfan60 said:
The Super Clean stays on the chain almost as well as the chain wax . I've had kinking links with chain wax so I don't use it now. The super clean sets up as a white grease , and is softer than the chain wax. The chain wax build up is very hard to clean off and dries hard by comparison. If you care about chain life I would steer you away from chain wax. If you don't like super clean then give PJ1 blue label or Bel Ray Blue Tac a try. Remember only two revolutions of the chain when lubing is plenty , then wipe off excess after drying with paper towel. Try this test : spray a sample of each chain wax and super clear on a hard flat surface . Let dry for 24 hours and give it the finger test. You will see they are not the same .
JonathanF
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Looking for advice on chain and sprockets please.
My 961 has done just under 10k miles. It's a Regina chain so I assume it's the original but have only owned the bike for 9 months/3k miles so can't be sure. But the rear sprocket is definitely not - it has 50 teeth, and I understand standard config is 49 teeth rear, 18 front. Probably 1 extra tooth on this bike for extra acceleration, I understand previous owner used it on track days.
But it appears to have been way out of alignment as can be seen by the picture, and the extra tooth has resulted in uneven wear (due to every tooth is only seeing either an inner or an outer link). I need to replace it, and will go back to stock this time.
Conventional wisdom is to replace rear sprocket, front sprocket and chain as a set.
However, as the rear sprocket is aluminium I'd expect it to wear quicker than the steel chain and steel front sprocket. I see in comments above that 15k-20k should be achievable on the chain, but if I'm reading right rear sprockets only about 7k.
This time I will be replacing chain and both sprockets as a set, but I guess my question is, for future reference - is it absolutely necessary to replace as a set on a 961, or is it okay to replace just the rear sprocket (assuming wear on front sprocket looks okay)?
Photos of my rear and front sprockets for reference.
My 961 has done just under 10k miles. It's a Regina chain so I assume it's the original but have only owned the bike for 9 months/3k miles so can't be sure. But the rear sprocket is definitely not - it has 50 teeth, and I understand standard config is 49 teeth rear, 18 front. Probably 1 extra tooth on this bike for extra acceleration, I understand previous owner used it on track days.
But it appears to have been way out of alignment as can be seen by the picture, and the extra tooth has resulted in uneven wear (due to every tooth is only seeing either an inner or an outer link). I need to replace it, and will go back to stock this time.
Conventional wisdom is to replace rear sprocket, front sprocket and chain as a set.
However, as the rear sprocket is aluminium I'd expect it to wear quicker than the steel chain and steel front sprocket. I see in comments above that 15k-20k should be achievable on the chain, but if I'm reading right rear sprockets only about 7k.
This time I will be replacing chain and both sprockets as a set, but I guess my question is, for future reference - is it absolutely necessary to replace as a set on a 961, or is it okay to replace just the rear sprocket (assuming wear on front sprocket looks okay)?
Photos of my rear and front sprockets for reference.
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Hello , Statndard configuration is 18T front and 50T rear (525 size sealed chain) . The front sprocket is the part you will have to find first is OEM Norton . Nothing else will fit . You are from England so check Stu Bodycote first , then Ollie Thiel and then the Norton dealers. You didn't say what year your bike was. There was a spline change sometime in 2013 but the LATE spline fits the early bikes. The rear Stu or Ollie will have . Good Luck !
JonathanF
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Thanks for your reply. What tells you it’s not been lubed? Sorry for the questions, I’m just trying to learn and understand. Thank you.
concours
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50 years repairing machinery.
There is NO TRACE of lube adjacent the sprocket. Even the most thorough cleaner doesn't get it all.
