Opinions on a good chain

[Jackstand Johnny]

I'm going to need to buy a chain soon, and I was wondering what a good brand was to look out for? Also, I should replace the sprockets with the chain, or only if they've got sharksteeth?

[The Buddha]

I like DID X rings for life. Replace front but rear only every other chain - however - GSJack has bener replaced a rear sproket ... and he's ogt over 100K on GS'es and 200K on bikes.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Roadstergal]

Ja, I go DID.  I only replace the sprockets when they start looking like crap.  The chains wear out faster, for me.

[5thAve]

Ja, I go DID.  I only replace the sprockets when they start looking like crap.  The chains wear out faster, for me.

Suppose you replaced your sprockets. Would your chains stop wearing out so quickly?

[ohgood]

Ja, I go DID.  I only replace the sprockets when they start looking like crap.  The chains wear out faster, for me.

Suppose you replaced your sprockets. Would your chains stop wearing out so quickly?

Yes, you replace the front sprocket with any new chain. The rear has such a small amount of load on it it prolly will never need replacement.

I got a $20 non o-ring chain from a gstwins member and it's fine for the last 3-4 thousand miles. I only have 26,000 on my original rear sprocket, no wear showing.

[Trwhouse]

A simple search brings up:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33434.0

   
Re: Chain...confused...need help
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2007, 10:07:49 AM »
   Reply with quote Modify message
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 Smiley  ):
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 costly overkill.

Replacing the chain and BOTH sprockets makes my bike quieter, smoother and nicer to ride.
Replace it all. Always better to replace them as a set. An old sprocket will wear out a new chain more quickly. It's not worth cutting a corner there.
Best wishes,

Trwhouse

[Roadstergal]

Suppose you replaced your sprockets. Would your chains stop wearing out so quickly?

When did I say that my chains wear out quickly?   

[Jackstand Johnny]

Whats the pros and cons bwith X- and O-ring chains? I thought theyd be alot cheaper and I thought Ive seem them for alot less than what bikebandit listed on D.I.D. chains. Whatever requires less adjusting would be best for me.

[gsJack]

I've used this same DID O-Ring chain since 1999 getting a new one every year or two.  Comes with a clip type master link.  I change the front sprocket every chain or two as needed.  Have never changed a rear sprocket. 

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=312%2D1910&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16779&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

[psyber_0ptix]

i got my chain and sprockets here, i probably overpaid but this was before i knew any better. the PO told me that he thinks the chain has never been replaced, and the sprocket is really worn. theres 3" of slack so anything is better at this point

http://www.sportbikesolutions.com/product_info-cPath-122_224_451_455-products_id-4245/gs_500_e_89_93_stock_plus_chain_sprocket_kit.htm

[Jackstand Johnny]

I've used this same DID O-Ring chain since 1999 getting a new one every year or two.  Comes with a clip type master link.  I change the front sprocket every chain or two as needed.  Have never changed a rear sprocket. 

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=312%2D1910&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16779&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

So will that 110 Link chain work with a stock rear sporocket and a 14 teeth front? Thanks!

[beRto]

I've used this same DID O-Ring chain since 1999 getting a new one every year or two.  Comes with a clip type master link.  I change the front sprocket every chain or two as needed.  Have never changed a rear sprocket. 

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=312%2D1910&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16779&mscssid=1D73D5E7FF6E406B97714F9064D26134&Gift=False&GiftID=

So will that 110 Link chain work with a stock rear sporocket and a 14 teeth front? Thanks!

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Sprocket
Scroll to the bottom for the method of calculating required chain length

[Jackstand Johnny]

Okay so with a stock rear sprocket and a 15t front sprocket, I would require a chain pitch of 109(109 links)?
So I could just remove one link from the chain and I'm good to go, correct?

[GSnoober]

You'd be a LOT better off if you can ORDER the chain at the length you want; do a little research and try to avoid having to cut the chain yourself. This advice doesn't apply if you've cut chains previously, but I've seen a lot of chains damaged, and cut too short, by people who didn't know how to cut a chain properly. YES, I've cut a lot of chains; NO, it isn't difficult if you have the proper tools, and understand HOW to cut the chain to the right length; these days, I simply prefer to AVOID cutting chains, because I'm getting lazy in my old age... OK, so I've been lazy all my life, don't make a federal case out of it...

Just for the hell of it, I've trimmed the links provided by gsJack to make them shorter,and easier to read:

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf_id=312-1910

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16779

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780

Not a big fan of URL--encoding and session ID numbers, so I stripped out the stupid crap...

[beRto]

Okay so with a stock rear sprocket and a 15t front sprocket, I would require a chain pitch of 109(109 links)?
So I could just remove one link from the chain and I'm good to go, correct?

Thanks for trying the calculator out for yourself!

Based on the results, the ideal chain length seems to be either 109 or 110 links, depending on the centre distance assumed (you can get 110 by entering a centre distance of 25.679", which is the ideal length for a 16F - 39R sprocket combo). In practice, the centre distance is adjustable, so there is some play in the value that should be used.

In this case, I would suggest keeping the 110 link standard chain. I am fairly certain that many others on the board have dropped a tooth in the front without changing the chain length.

Sorry for the confusion , although I do think it is useful for you to know how the calculator works! 

[gsJack]

You have to have an even number of links unless you get a special offset link like was common years ago.  I ran my 15/39T on my 97 GS with a std 110 link chain.  A 14/39T can be run with either 110 or 108 links.

Center distances I've calculated lately:

16/39T and 110 link center distance is 25.679"

15/39T and 110 link centre distance is 25.827"

14/39T and 110 link center distance is 25.975"

14/42T and 110 link center distance is 25.473"

14/39T and 108 link center distance 25.347"

13/39T and 108 link center distance 25.494

[ohgood]

while we're on the subject of pitch, i believe 520 is the pitch, 110/109/130 etc is the actual number of links. the space between rollers should be 5/8".

using the 5/8" idea, you can pretty easily decide if your chain is stretched out too far for service






ANSI Standard Chain Dimensions

Chain No.   Pitch   Roller Diameter   Roller Width   Sprocket thickness   Working Load
25   1/4"   0.130"   1/8"   0.110"   140 lbs
35   3/8"   0.200"   3/16"   0.168"   480 lbs
40   1/2"   5/16"   5/16"   0.284"   810 lbs
41   1/2"   0.306"   1/4"   0.227"   500 lbs
50   5/8"   0.400"   3/8"   0.343"   1400 lbs
60   3/4"   15/32"   1/2"   0.459"   1950 lbs
80   1"   5/8"   5/8"   0.575"   3300 lbs
Bicycle and Motorcycle Chain Dimensions

Chain No.   Pitch   Roller Diameter   Roller Width   Sprocket thickness
Bicycle, with Derailleur   1/2"   5/16"   1/8"   0.110"
Bicycle, without Derailleur   1/2"   5/16"   3/32"   0.084"
420   1/2"   5/16"   1/4"   0.227"
425   1/2"   5/16"   5/16"   0.284"
428   1/2"   0.335"   5/16"   0.284"
520   5/8"   0.400"   1/4"   0.227"
525   5/8"   0.400"   5/16"   0.284"
530   5/8"   0.400"   3/8"   0.343"
630   3/4"   15/32"   3/8"   0.343"


source: http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm

[wladziu]

The Tsubaki Alpha Gold o-ring chain mentioned above is discontinued through that parts supplier.  The sprockets are on back-order, and phone rep said it would probably be quite a while until they got a new shipment. 

[Mdow]

ya i think ill have to put a new chain on this winter.

not sure if its ever been replaced 35k miles now and i was a NOOB for the first bit of the bike and didn't relize that i needed to oil my chain as offten as i should (i oiled it with oil changes at 3k miles oppps)