Chains and sprockets

[10-Ring]

After almost 29,000 miles, the chain on my Sprint is finally beginning to disintegrate. Any reccomendations for replacement? (brands, grades) I've been out of riding for almost 20 years and have forgotten more than I ever knew. My sprockets still look good, but was told that I should change them anyway. Any thoughts on that?

[DogBoy]

First, your avatar is awesome.

Yes, change the sprockets with the chain or the old sprockets will eat the new chain very quickly. All the brands of 0-ring chains are good these days but RK seems to be highly though of.

Check SprocketCenter.com for good prices on new chains and sprockets. They have options for your bike. click here for Sprocket Center Or use sprocketcenter's prices to negotiate with your dealer.

[Bunbun]

I prefer the DID ZVM2 chains.  Always get great mileage out of them.  I actually had to cut off my last one because the aluminum sprocket I had in the rear was pretty much trashed after 23k miles.  Chain still looked good, felt good and had life left in it.  

I'd give www.whitebuffaloracing.com a holler.  He'll get you set up with exactly what you need/ want and always has excellent sprocket/ chain bundles.  He even gets the chain cut to the number of links you need.

Bun

[thatguy]

I use DID ZVM2's on the torque monster Tuono.Got 27K out of the last one.I don't go high dollar on the sprockets just JT steel.Of course replace all at the same time.

[10-Ring]

First, your avatar is awesome.

http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/ is awesome
 

Thanks. I saw a decent deal at Spocket Center. I might go with that.

What lubes do you guys reccomend? I have Bel Ray. That stuff is so thick that I wonder if it gets enough penetration  to do it's job.

[greench440]

I use PJ1 Blue but the Bel Ray stuff is good too.    On an o-ring chain, the lube is for the rollers and doesn't penetrate past the o-rings into the chain pins.

[thatguy]

I ran the BelRay Super Clean lube for the entire 27K of that DID chain.Every 600 miles or so when I got home from work I just jacked the bike up and sprayed it on.Only cleaned it a few times during that time.I'm doing a different routine this chain,still a DID though.

[bubba zanetti]

In hindsight, I wish I had replaced my Sprint's chain with the OEM including the front sprocket. I got about 30,000 miles out of mine and notice many Sprint riders get the same. That is one hell of a chain. The stock front sprocket has a rubber "cush" on it to reduce noise. I do notice a difference in sound.

I went with Sprocket Center myself and saved maybe $30 over the OEM setup. Just a thought.

[tomek]

DID ZMW2,I got 30 k on XX with very,very casual maintanance.Can`t go wrong with that chain.

Aluminum rear sprockets are good for track/race bikes but they are not durable enough on road bikes IMHO.

[rode2rouen]

What lubes do you guys reccomend? I have Bel Ray. That stuff is so thick that I wonder if it gets enough penetration  to do it's job.

Actually, there is no penetration of the lube on an O-ring chain....the O-rings seal in the factory installed lube. You are lubricating the chain roller / sprocket tooth interface.

I had used Maxima Chain Wax for many years, with good results. Then I found the Dupont solution. A truly marvelous concoction! At your local Lowe's


Rex  

[bubba zanetti]

 Then I found the Dupont solution. A truly marvelous concoction! At your local Lowe's


Rex  

Truly the best I have used.  

[10-Ring]

This was interesting for me.

http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm

I should get something ordered up tonight before this thing fails completely.

While I'm thinking about it, Why aren't belts put on these things? What are the drawbacks? I guess there is a good reason that you don't see it being done.

[miles]

While I'm thinking about it, Why aren't belts put on these things? What are the drawbacks? I guess there is a good reason that you don't see it being done.

Sure they do.  Every Harley and Buell runs a belt, as do some models of BMWs.  Drawbacks?  I'm not really sure there are many (outside of racing or dirt bike applications).

[TuffguyF4i]

I'm a firm believer in DID's.  I think they make great chains.  

Honda uses them for their OEM equipment.  I always get 30k+ out of them.

[Baron Samedi]

Another vote for DID.  

[bikefreak47]

I've just installed EK ZZZ 530 chains and Sunstar steel sprockets on my ol' '94 CB1000f, '97 Bandit 1200s, and '98 Superhawk.  I thought I'd try the EK ZZZ because it seems to offer the highest tensile strength of any brand- 11,000 pounds- even higher than the highly respected DID's.

[JoelCool]

I replaced the OE with DID ZVM2 setup for my R1 at around 20k miles.  That same replacement is still looking good at 49k miles.  I've used Torco chain lube for several years now and am very happy with it.

http://www.torcoracingoils.com/products/productview.aspx?id=8dca0e60-0e0f-4966-a004-e3c35be18387

Welcome to the site!

[10-Ring]

Sure they do.  Every Harley and Buell runs a belt, as do some models of BMWs.  Drawbacks?  I'm not really sure there are many (outside of racing or dirt bike applications).

I know that there some that run belts, I would just think that they would be more common. The few that I know that have Harley's love the belt. I assume that there is some factor that I'm not seeing.

[DogBoy]

Its easier and cheaper (at the moment) to change gearing with chain and sprockets. Many bikes come from the factory geared very tall to meet sound regulations. A $15 or $20 front sprocket and your bike is transformed.

Belts would be a great alternative if the gearing alternatives were more readily available.

[TuffguyF4i]

I've just installed EK ZZZ 530 chains and Sunstar steel sprockets on my ol' '94 CB1000f, '97 Bandit 1200s, and '98 Superhawk.  I thought I'd try the EK ZZZ because it seems to offer the highest tensile strength of any brand- 11,000 pounds- even higher than the highly respected DID's.

No chain is going to break if assemblied properly.  I would be more concerned with how the chain is put together.  That is what makes a chain last and prevents mechanical failure.

[stefrrr]

What the hell?

There are tons of chains to choose from. I'm sure that's a good thing, but I just need a chain & sprocket, and I know nothing. What should I be looking for?

[Baz]

Its easier and cheaper (at the moment) to change gearing with chain and sprockets. Many bikes come from the factory geared very tall to meet sound regulations. A $15 or $20 front sprocket and your bike is transformed.

Belts would be a great alternative if the gearing alternatives were more readily available.

A word of caution. Unless your bike is equipped with a front wheel driven speedometer you speedo will be thrown off by any gearing changes. I tried just about every combo with the Bandit and went back to stock each time. I tooth down on the front just killed the highway ride of that bike. Also killed fuel economy. Yes, it was a bit more fun around town but it killed the over all ride of the bike. At highway speeds it turned into a huge vibrator.

Chains... I am a huge fan of DID chains.

[stefrrr]

That's funny - Ray went down one tooth on the SV1000s. He changed it shortly after running out of gas 2 miles from the gas station. Somewhere in the 30s MPG on that tank. He went up one tooth, and it smoothed it out, plus it fixed the speedo.  

[Baz]

Stefrrr:

Yes 1 tooth up on the front also is a great fix for the Bandit also if you do a lot of touring. (You have to modify the engine chain cover slightly to get one to fit) Going 1 tooth down will make your fillings fall out at 65 mph.

If you download the spreadsheet here, it gives you an idea what changes you will see on the Bandit with different sprocket sizes. The same similar thing will occur with other bikes. It is a great reference tool if you plan on playing around.

http://motodyn.com/media/utils/OB-bandit1200-gear-ratios.xls

[cognosticator]

That's funny - Ray went down one tooth on the SV1000s. He changed it shortly after running out of gas 2 miles from the gas station. Somewhere in the 30s MPG on that tank. He went up one tooth, and it smoothed it out, plus it fixed the speedo.  

On my SVs I went up one on front and down one in the back, corrected my speedo, dropped 500 rpms at 70 mph and increased my mpg to an actual 40.  I don't care about wheelies or racing and really haven't noticed any performance losses.  Around town I have to keep it in 4th gear or it will lug.