Chain...confused...need help

[pbureau69]

hello to all,

I ama bit confused about the kindof chain I shoulf get for my GS500F 2005 .
there are many type of chains in 520x110 sizes and I am trying to figure out
among the O-ring, Xring, etc type which would be sufficient to purchase.

I ride 60-80MPH, this is not for racing, just for ride around/daily drive to work

can someone bring some light on the subject for me...?
suggestions and experiences with chains type would be gratefull

I am looking at RK chains and I dont know which one would be best suited for me.

Thanks

Patrick

[ducati_nolan]

I don't think it's worth the extra cost to get the X ring type. The O ring type is probally going to last just about as long and costs much less. I think my stock chain lasted about 20,000 miles and that's pretty hard to beat.

I don't think it's worth getting a non O ring chain, since you have to clean and lube them much more often. Any money you'd save would be spent on more lube and cleaner.

I do think that it's probally worth replacing your sprockets with the chain, at least the front one (it wears faster because it's smaller). My new chain seems to be wearing a little faster than the old one because I didn't replace the sprockets. Oh well, live and learn 

[scratch]

O-ring.  (Even though I have a Bikemaster x-ring, because it was less expensive.)

Do you want me to make this a poll?

[dgyver]

I like X-ring for the street, non-ring for the track (a lot less rolling resistance). With the X-ring, there are 2 sealing surfaces instead of just one. This traps some of the lube. Typically there is less rolling resistance with the X-ring than the O-ring. 

[Jughead]

I'm not a tight ass or Anything but I've never bought a Oring or Xring Chain.I prefer the Reguar type.I did have a dirt bike one time and it came with an Oring Chain.It last a few Months and I tossed it and Bought a  Regular RK Chain.If you keep a Regular Chain Cleaned and Oiled they will last for a Decent Amount of time.
Also when buying chain stay with RK,Regina,DID ETC. and leave the El Cheapo Bike Master ETC. brands Alone.I have a Friend that was doing the Iron butt Ride last Spring and went thru 3 Chains in less than 1500 Miles.Even though it was a Brand that he had used for years the Quality had Gotten so bad that the Pins had bent Causing the Chain to Kink and lock up.

[pbureau69]

More questions;

1)When it comes to chains isnt there a relation betwen tensil strengh and the minimum at "tensil strenght" is needed on our chains (ie: chain with too low of tensil strengh = breakage) so what is reccommended for the GS500F as far as tensil strengh minimum for a chain?

2)Seem there is ALOT of variation in those numbers (tensil strengh) as well depending on chain makers and what you pay for the chain... I am doubting my possible purchase for it to be the wrong one, anyone have a RK chain part number I can confirm I am getting the right one...?

So far I am looking at (in order of preferences - ie: cheapest first)

RK 520H Heavy Duty...............RK520H-110..........26.95$.....TS: None found
RK 520 O-Ring.........................RK520O-110..........49.95$.....TS: None Found
RK 520XSO X-Ring...................RK520XSO-110......79.95$.....TS: 8,500
RK GB520 XSO X-Ring Gold......RKGB520XSO-110..89.95$.....TS: 8,500
Tsubaki Omega O-Ring............25-3110.................99.95$.....TS: 10,500

3) So? why is the Heavy duty only 27$?? seems awfully cheap for a standard chain when suzuki is asking for an OEM chain 94$ at the dealer (yes I know dealer markup)

I checked the RK manufacturer web site and they say for GS500E use : 520GXW-110, which after a search came up with a Gear/Chain kit : 1230-0093....FITS MODEL: GSX-R600 01-03, CHAIN: 520XSO-110, OEM GEARING: 16-45, QUICK ACCELERATION GEARING: 15-45....$157.95

So it seems that they are recomending the 520XSO chain...humm.

[manofthefield]

3) So? why is the Heavy duty only 27$?? seems awfully cheap for a standard chain when suzuki is asking for an OEM chain 94$ at the dealer (yes I know dealer markup)

I can almost guarantee that Heavy duty chain is a non O-ring chain.  That's why it's so cheap.  Most likely nothing wrong with it, but as mentioned above, non O-ring chains require more attention

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
I recently replaced my chain and sprockets and here's what I found (if you had searched previous posts, you would have found this   ):
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33181.0
"I just bought replacement steel sprockets -- 39T rear and a 16T countershaft sprocket -- and a superior Tsubaki Alpha Gold 520x110 link o-ring chain complete with free shipping for $116 altogether from Parts411.com via mail order. A steal compared to the local dealer and the chain is much better."

Call them at their toll-free number ... 1-877-484-4860.
You have to call to order things like the sprockets to fit your specific bike.
I ordered the following:
1  Tsubaki Alpha Gold 520-110 link o-ring chain  $80.30  part no. H18-172-110-PU
1 JT rear steel 39T sprocket                           $20.50  part no. JTR823-39-PU
1  JT countershaft 16T stock-sized sprocket     $ 7.88   part no. JTF565-16-PU
1  Tsubaki spare clip connecting link (for toolkit) $7.90  part no. H18-173-PU

Total         with FREE SHIPPING over $100 order   $116.58

I ordered it all on Jan 15, 2007 and had it in a week from California.
It was much cheaper than everywhere else I checked.

I'd highly recommend them.

I have used standard non-o-ring chain on my GS500 and was NOT happy with it, which is why I'm going back to o-ring chain. The non o-ring chain required CONSTANT adjustments, which is a pain.
I prefer Tsubaki brand or DID chain, both of which are high-quality. Stay away from no-name chain.
And about tensile strength, yes it is important to meet the strength of the original chain, but our GS500's don't produce enough torque and horsepower to mandate the highest tensile strength chains.
The Tsubaki o-ring chains are stronger than stock without being huge and costly overkill.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse
I hope this helps.