Drive chain?

I tried searching this topic on the forum, and didn't get any results. I want to install a new drive chain, and I'm a little confused. The chain on my bike is marked ANSI 50, whereas the workshop manual just gives some pitch measurements. When I do some searches on ebay, I get results that suggest the '50' designation is the same as the more familiar '530' chain. Is this so? Also, is there any reason to not use a higher quality o-ring style chain?

I take it back; I did find a bunch of conversation in this forum on this topic (by using google to search)

Make sure to put a checkmark in the Google search box on the upper right of the page. Then type in andy chain in the search box. You could also type in drive chain.

oediehl said:

...is there any reason to not use a higher quality o-ring style chain?

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As your new-found search methods may have already shown, most bikes are severely limited in clearance for a wider-than-stock o-ring chain. In fact, I can't fit even a heavy duty chain on mine. Most guys wanting to run o-rings go to 520 to lose the 1/8" width that is then taken up by the wider o-ring chain.

Nathan

PM Andychain on this forum. He will tell you all you need to know. His IWIS chains are the best you can get.

I agree with Fullauto.
My original Reynolds chain might have lasted 6,000 MILES.

I have now done over 6,000 miles [ over 4000 between 17th Jan and middle of April this year ] . Have only adjusted the chain once after it had done 5000 miles.

Buy an IWIS from Andy or if you are in NZ, I have them in stock.

oediehl said:

Also, is there any reason to not use a higher quality o-ring style chain?

Click to expand...

Yes a 530 o-ring chain is too wide - will hit chainguard and other important parts. What is suggested if you want o-ring, convert to a 520 chain. Not my preference so get this info doing another search.

Me thinks the IWIS idea would be cheaper in the long run, and far cheaper up front. 3/8" wide sprockets will last longer than 1/4" wide sprockets. Also no mods will be needed.
Dereck

In 42 years of ownership of my Norton I have always got long life and milage out of my chains, I use just heavy duty chains but the way to get long life out of any chain is maintenance, every oil change I will take my chain off while the motor oil is draining I have a spare chain that I join to the bike chain to run it off and put it on the sprocket, once off I will soak it in kero for a few hours, give it a really good clean and check for any tight spots, tight spots are a chain killer, any tight spots found I will work them free with more cleaning once they are free again I will then soak the chain in hot gearbox oil, be care full when heating the oil, then let the chain soak over night, I have been doing this ever since owning my Norton it comes from my dirt bike days.

I normally get over 40,000 miles out of a chain, my last chain is one of Andy's chains and expect to get even longer life out of it doing this, by the way Andy is a great person to deal with he sent my my new chain to Aussie land even before I payed for it as he was going away when I ordered it, not to many business men around like that these days, so order one of Andy's chains and you will have no problems at all.

Ashley

Thats a huge milage Ashley. In my younger days, i rode a Suzuki Titan, and I did what you did. I had 2 Reynolds bike chains. They were both knackered at 12,000 miles so I now just put a chain on and keep it well lubed. Not going to stuff around like that as a result of my experience. Especially the heating of the grease on the stove and getting it to drain afterwards. Before the IWIS, my chains would last 5-6,000 miles. I might get 3 times that with he IWIS but might take a while to prove.
Dereck

On Jim Comstock's advice that it would fit, I put a 530 x ring on the Mk3. He was correct of course, no problem. I've put a few thousand miles on it without need for adjustment. When you finally do need to adjust a sealed chain , it's about time to replace it.
That happened at 24,000 and 55,000 miles on the
Vincent (520)
It'll be interesting to see how far the mk3 530 x ring goes.

Glen

I've had a 530 O-ring chain on my '73 850 for so many years i can't remember how long! I do have a mk III gearbox cradle and swing arm plus a belt drive and seem to recall a bit of judicious shimming but it rarely needs adjusting.

The DID 530VX will clear. No need to machine the brake hub or change the sprocket, with the pin width of .917".
Whereas HD530, the suggested OEM chain, is .927".

I like Reynolds from Fair Spares( I think it fits better on the sprockets) with a Scott oiler and I never even bother with the chain anymore

I am with pete.....i also did research for drive chains 2 years ago

and put a DID 530VX on my Commando

....without issues [but i got no chainguard on]

This is the thinnest 5/8 x 3/8 x-ring chain you can find.

absolutely satisfied with this chain!

pete.v said:

The DID 530VX will clear. No need to machine the brake hub or change the sprocket, with the pin width of .917".
Whereas HD530, the suggested OEM chain, is .927".

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Ding-ding-ding! Trying to find the actual dimensions from the different chain manufacturers has been a real pain. Thanks for doing the homework for me. I guess it's time to pony up for an o-ring chain. The standard chain is the only place I get oil from on the old girl.

Nathan