chain replacement (78 550)

[Hotblack]

That sounds right that the amount of force over time applied is what you need the tensile strength for. An R6 will put out kajillions more hp than my 550, but much of that is achieved by the bike's ability to rev high. Or, if you have a 600cc bike and a 1200cc bike that both put out 100 hp, the 1200 will demand a stronger chain, as the torque it can apply at one time is considerably more than the 600. Is this correct? Be easy on me, I'm just a musician and we only have to know how to count to four. Also, isn't the Hayabusa a 1400cc sport bike?

[Anonymous]

Is this correct?

Nope. If you are comparing crank figures for hp and torque then it is, but we really should be talking about rear wheel figures, since that is the force seen by the chain. And 100rwhp at any given road speed requires the same amount of torque, regardless of the engine speed producing the torque. This is because hp is simply torque x RPM / 5252 and the wheel RPM is the same for both bikes (600 and 1100). The engines will be revving at very different speeds, but after things get through the gearbox, it is all the same. Oh, this also assumes that both bikes have the same final drive gearing. Different ratios will change the chain forces, too.

Be easy on me, I'm just a musician

Easy enough?

I'm just an engineer and I would be really bad at making music, so it all balances out in the end...

Mark

[Hotblack]

And your name isn't Choo Choo Charley? Oh forget it, I'm worse at comedy than I am at math! ](*,)

[Hotblack]

Anyway that more or less makes sense to me, but now I'm wondering along a slightly different line. Both engines might be capeable of putting the same amount of stress on the chain, but might the larger engine inherently put more stress on the chain in normal driving, that is, due to the large amounts of torque available at lower speeds, where the bike has less momentum going for it? I guess this is going beyond practical chain replacement lore, but I'm just curious.

[earlfor]

Try the idea this way. A motorcycle has a given weight, with a measurable air drag and rolling friction. If enough force is applied to accelerate the object from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds, it does not matter whether the engine displaces 600cc or 1400cc. The required force is the same.

Increasing the acceleration will put more strain on the chain, but that could be the case with either engine.

Earl

Anyway that more or less makes sense to me, but now I'm wondering along a slightly different line. Both engines might be capeable of putting the same amount of stress on the chain, but might the larger engine inherently put more stress on the chain in normal driving, that is, due to the large amounts of torque available at lower speeds, where the bike has less momentum going for it? I guess this is going beyond practical chain replacement lore, but I'm just curious.

[Hotblack]

I see what you mean, but that's not really what I'm getting at. That deals with my first notion, which was all wrong. I'm now wondering about what happens in every day riding, and which bike is easier to apply that force with. Even that is really not as relevant as considering the RIDER, I guess. There are factors such as final gearing, bike weight, and wind resistance, but a wheelie happy rider is gonna be hard on his chain no matter what. Of course, lubing it with sand would be even worse! :twisted:

[AOD]

i think UPS has been trying to deliver the chain, but i haven't been around and my stupid office was closed or something yesterday so the package wasn't accepted.

can't wait to get it on...its the last required thing i need to ride again.

next on the list is a new headlight (H4) and some body work.

[AOD]

new chain arrived today. MAW gets my approval. 8)