Chain questions

[weedahoe]

Who is using an O-ring versus a X-ring?

Are X-ring chains worth the extra coin?

What master links are better?

Obviously, Im in the market for one and sprockets

[jestercinti]

I just installed an xring. Of you are going to use your bike for a long time, go xring. Otherwise oring is fine.

Not sure about performance other than marketing claims.

[adidasguy]

I think we now have something to replace the perpetual "what oil is best" thread.
We have 3 chain threads going.

Chain: What is best? Let's just go with "Meh".  Maintenance and proper cleaning and lubing will do more to make a chain last longer than X /vs/ O /vs/ what brand.

Master link: Rivet is best. Clips are fine but racing or rough use would dictate rivet. Also depends on what tools you have available. Others can chime in on that or scan the other threads.

[weedahoe]

Addidas, I seen the rivet links but what tools are used to seal them? I have rivet guns but I dont think they are that type

[gsatterw]

I used vice grips on mine. Worked pretty damn well.

Graham 

[weedahoe]

Well Im looking at some YT vids now. Ive got plenty of vice grips but these rivet tools look simple and cheap enough

[gsatterw]

Yea, I ended up having no money left when I got my chain, necessitating the vice grips.

Graham 

[weedahoe]

^^^ Yeah, that can happen!

[Janx101]

X-ring chain!!! .. obviously!!!! ... 'with all profits going to the widows of fallen X-men through the Charles Xavier Foundation!' 

[adidasguy]

Z-Ring Chain!

[Janx101]

awesome!! lmao...

but... what now? ... where can they go?... Greek alphabet maybe? 

[gsJack]

I've used 11 chains all o-ring types on my 97 and 02 GSs including the 2 OE continuous ones.  The 9 replacement chains were all installed with clip type connecting links.  My chain life has ranged from 14-22k miles.  I've replaced the front sprocket about every other chain but have never replaced a rear sprocket on any of the 6 bikes I've had.  Put over 80k miles on 4 of the 6 bikes including the 2 GSs.   

Chains are replaced when adjustments go from rare to too frequent or when they come out of the winter all kinky from too many salt water baths, riding year around here in NE Ohio is hard on chains.  Replacing a kinky chain with a new one makes it feel like a new bike.  I over lube and under clean chains so they are a rusty mess when I replace them making the longer life of an x-ring chain undesireable.  Putting an x-ring on a GS is the equivelant to putting full synthetic oil in it's tractor engine.   

I vote for o-ring chains with clip type connecting links on a GS running Shell Rotela T oil, 15W-40 dino type only.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg

[Janx101]

good point Jack! 

i wont mention that i use 98RON in the 4 stroke lawnmower .. (just cos i can!) 

[weedahoe]

LOL.......well said Jack. My sprockets are good actually as I kept them off another bike I parted out with 2800 miles. The chain I keep really clean and lubed. It doesnt NEED replacing but I guess I kinda wanted a nickel plated one since Im upgrading a lot of other things on the bike. But for now, I guess I will leave it alone. I appreciate the info and education though

[jestercinti]

awesome!! lmao...
but... what now? ... where can they go?... Greek alphabet maybe? 

Beta ring chain to go with this...

[Big Rich]

Weedahoe, I agree with the whole "proper maintenance " aspect of chains and their life. Any modern chain is going to have the tensile strength to handle a GS500, so for performance reasons you can look for the weight of each chain (usually provided as "x" pounds per 100 links).

If you need a chain rivet tool, I'm sure somebody here has one sitting in a tool box that you could borrow for the cost of shipping back and forth......