Drive chain lifespan / tensioner options

tompkins · Friday at 5:15 AM

ilikevelos said:
I agree. On most bikes I use a good x-ring chain and starting with new sprockets, use the chain until it needs the second adjustment after break-in and replace before damaging the sprockets. Then I change the chain only and with the second chain run it longer but replace the sprockets with the second chain. I am using the first x ring chain on my combat now(first x-ring chain on a Norton) and will likely follow the same practice.

Sometime this year I will recommission a Mk2 850 I bought with 9500 original miles and reasonably good paint. On that I will try to use the narrow x ring chain from rk, designated rk 530UWR. I believe this is usable on most british bikes with the original 3/8 sprocket widths. IF it doen't work on a norton I am sure I have a british bike with slightly more clearance to use it on.

I like x-ring chains because they require less lube and less maintanence. I suspect they cost about this same over time but are more convenient for me.

Cheers to all.

Less maintenance, more convenient- that’s the ticket! I don’t mind wrenching often when I’m near home but I don’t wanna crawl out of a tent and see a droopy chain that needs adjusting in a campsite with no water for hand washing! I kno, first world problems. It just seems like when you put the miles to it you’re always running the wheel back on the cheapie chains

MexicoMike · Friday at 5:52 PM

"in 50 years of owning my Norton i am getting 40k + miles out of my standard heavy duty chains"

Wow! I don't think I ever got more than around 5-8k miles on standard chain and I would periodically remove the chain, clean it/lubricate pretty much as you described. Maybe I was just buying cheap chains!!

ashman · Friday at 7:39 PM

MexicoMike said:
"in 50 years of owning my Norton i am getting 40k + miles out of my standard heavy duty chains"

Wow! I don't think I ever got more than around 5-8k miles on standard chain and I would periodically remove the chain, clean it/lubricate pretty much as you described. Maybe I was just buying cheap chains!!

I don't know but i have always got long life out of chains 52 years of owing Honda dirt bikes and the Norton and 4 Triumps 2 older models and 2 Thruxtons, when i sold my 2013 Thruxton it had over 40k still with the original chain and sprockets on it and the chain was only adjusted once and slightly, the 1200 Thruxton that i got T boned on had 35k on the original chain and sprockets, i ride all my bikes hard but they are all well maintained by me, so i can't workout why so many get so little mileage out of their chains.

Ash

kerinorton · Friday at 9:34 PM

IWIS `10b chain. 20,000 + miles. ordinary 10b cheeeeeep chain 3,000 miles

robs ss · Sunday at 11:43 PM

I liked @ludwig 's idea about using more that one chain to extend sprocket life. Especially when you consider that the front and rear sprockets (drum) costs as much as two DID VX3 chains and is a MUCH bigger job to replace them.
So, after measuring a new VX3 chain, I pulled it on to replace my old chain (VX3 with 17000 miles on it) and measured the old chain. 8.2mm longer - so 0.52% "stretch", about half life..

I'll decide later if I put the old chain back on. At $5.60AUD per 1000 miles so far, it's hardly a high expense! ...and with clip-links, replacement is a doddle!
Cheers

YING · Monday at 4:29 AM

I converted to the x-ring chain (520) along with appropriate sprockets over 9000 miles ago and am very pleased.Never had to adjust it once since it was new. I took Greg Marsh’s advice and just keep it clean using a WD40 wipe.Ashman’s method works great but my decision had a lot to do with my stepped alloy rims that stay much cleaner now.
Mike

Drive chain lifespan / tensioner options

tompkins

MexicoMike

ashman

kerinorton

robs ss

YING

Pittsboro,NC

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