Chain questions...Parts Update

[Felix]

It pays to shop around...MAW has DID chains from $50 up to around $140. So I can probably get something mid way and halve the cost of this job (the $109 O ring chain looks perfect). Oh, I might have to pay a couple of dollars for postage

So anyhow, is the XRing chain worth the extra spend?

[Gosling1]

If your on your own, and the bike is on the stand, just stick it in gear - the compression should hold enough to undo the nut (it did on mine anyway).

Yes, this method also works well, sometimes if the lock nut is really tight you will actually turn the motor over ( at least in older low-compression z900 motors ) - if this happens just bung it into 2nd or even 3rd gear to stop.

Felix - chains are pretty $$$ these days, but you get what you pays for with these. I would steer clear of any $50 chain for your everyday bike.

Back in 'the good old days', I used to buy non O-ring chain from Tractor Replacements. 630 chain that was 1/3 of a triplex primary drive chain from a rather large tractor ( D9 ??) - you could buy this by the length, for about, hmmm $50 cheap as chips, and same quality as the >$100 ridgy-didge Kawasaki item.

[Felix]

The local shops are quoting around $179 for a "standard" chain, whatever that is. So I think $109 or thereabouts is fine.

If I was going to be a real tight-wad, I can get 120 link 520 chain for $25-$30 on stock runout for a Thai made chain.

But I think I'll get something with a bit more reputation. Just don't know that it is worth getting the X'Ring...

It's probably not all that bad, and I could probably hold off doing this for a while, which would be good. There is an XJ sitting here waiting to be reg'd. Incidently, the reg for the XJ will end up costing the same (with single seat mod plate) as replacing sprockets and chain on the ER. Hmmm....

I think I will go pull the pegs off the ER, and book the ER and XJ in next week...somebodies leg has healed and she is bugging me for a bike ride...

[Rusty]

The (stock) chain on my ZZR is an O-ring, and it's got 43000 km on it. Still useable. I don't think the extra distance I'd get with an X-ring would really be worth the $$. My opinion, FWIW.

[Smitty]

Felix
get a reputable brand chain..DID or Renthal or Tama..whatstherename
and with the ER5, a 520 O ring should be fine

hth

cheers

[Yankee]

what is the "525" or "520" actually referring to? is it a measurement? a weight? a rating?
anyway, you can get them from the UK (whole chain and sprocket set in any size you want and any "fun" color for 99 pounds!! and with the Aussie dollar the way it is... that's uh, i think around $219-ish!!)
oh, that's from "busters" btw.....

[Gosling1]

520/525/530 - refers to the 'size' of the chain ( sort of....) its all to do with the 'pitch' ( distance between pin centres ), the width between the sideplates etc etc. You could do a whole thread on chains, its actually quite a lot more complex then you would first think.

Has there been a 'technical explanation of chains ' thread on here before ?

The most important thing is getting a good quality chain in the first place. Stay with the stock 'size' ( eg 520 ), you can always play with o-ring, non o-ring, X-ring etc etc, and on smaller bikes, there is not much to be gained from dropping to a smaller chain size ( but a hell of a lot on the big old shitters - I lost over 1/2 kg when dropping from a 630 o-ring to a 530 non o-ring on the old z1000 ).

[Felix]

what is the "525" or "520" actually referring to? is it a measurement? a weight? a rating?

Yes, it is like a sizing thingy. I think 525 is either bigger or rated for higher capacity engines, etc than the 520, or a bit of both. Only thing I have determined is they aren't interchangeable.

I will probably just go for a DID O'Ring and steel sprockets. Should only cost $180-$200 all up. It has an RK O'Ring chain on now. Ponti gave me a tip on where to get chains, so I'll see how that pans out.

Anyhow, I think I better get the XJ on the road first. I better get on to that this week, otherwise I am probably going to end up with a job and have no time to do anything...

Oh, and I have taken the rear pegs off the ER.

[Barrabob]

felix i did the whole xring and best sprockets money could buy thing on my 250 and at the end of the day i would say just go the oring chain because i couldnt notice any diference between the old and the new powersavings wise, but there would have been a big price diference.

I went a extra 3 teeth at the rear on that one too, extra teeth make a biger diference to performance and if you want the sprockets and chain to last longer just clean and relube regulary.

ER5 i would say just go for stock presed items in stock size and a middle of the road oring chain...could try chaingang but just go for cheapie sprockets dont worry about there steel ones and they do a pretty good price on chain.

Its not like you will be putting 150hp through it or towing any broken down semis back up the range lol.

[Gosling1]

Yes, it is like a sizing thingy. I think 525 is either bigger or rated for higher capacity engines, etc than the 520, or a bit of both. Only thing I have determined is they aren't interchangeable.

Here is an interesting *link* about chains

http://www.rk-excel.co.jp/english/tech/chain_spec_200406.gif

all you ever wanted to know about chain sizes, etc etc....

[Yankee]

Ponti gave me a tip on where to get chains, so I'll see how that pans out.

well, don't hold out on us!! Where are we going for new bits??!! MTM??

cheers...
oh, good link too Gosling!! WAAAAAY too much info though!!!

[Felix]

Yeah, not too worried about chasing extra performance Beryl, but I had heard that the XRings were better maintenance-wise.

Ah, fudge it. Who am I kidding? I'll probably get another couple of thousand klicks out of this one, and then I will probably never have to do it again.

[Smitty]

...
Ah, fudge it. Who am I kidding? I'll probably get another couple of thousand klicks out of this one, and then I will probably never have to do it again.

yeah mate...sell the bike and buy a new one
the chain problem goes away

[Felix]

I have been quoted by http://www.gobike.com.au $18 for front sprocket $43 for rear and $179 for the chain (!)...thats $240, or what I can get locally (nearly). I'll ask them about a different chain and see what they say...

At least the sprockets are cheap!!

[Aussie Ninja]

This mob has good chains for $110. Depends on how much they hit you for shipping.

http://shop.eatmydirt.com.au/categories ... 29&c=83927