Drive chains revisited

[AOD]

For what it's worth, I've seen some guys who love to brake by downshifting hard, almost locking up the rear wheel while they downshift.

:twisted:

what's wrong with that? you need it in the mountains!

Keith, excellent news about the silicone lube for o-rings...glad I been doing the right thing.

[80gs1000e]

PJ1 Blue Label chain lube for me, new sprockets and a brand new 630 RK O-ring chain for the tank. Since I put it on last summer I've only had to adjust it 2 times after long rides. Seems to be pretty set now.

[Joe Nardy]

Well, I never heard back from "The Truth about Motorcycle Chains" folks but a lot of their info seemed to make sense. Since I have had problems in the past with O-ring chains (see previous posts in this thread) and I am mostly a fair weather rider I decided to go with the D.I.D. 630K non O-ring chain. I found one at Dennis Kirk for $64.99 and they also had clip-type master links for $3.99 each. The D.I.D and RK O-ring chains went for $110 and up so I saved more than 1/3 the cost by going with the non o-ring chain. If I get 2/3 the mileage out of it I'll break even and if the "The Truth about Motorcycle Chains" folks are correct and I get close to the same mileage I'll be ahead of the game. If I get much less mileage out of it then it will be a fairly inexpensive lesson learned and I can pass that wisdom onto everyone here. I expect it will work out well since I take pretty good care of my bikes.

Joe

[Joe Nardy]

Generic silicone lube is good for a non-oring chain and I haven't noticed any issues with my o-ring chain I have now (DID). If you read your Suzuki owners manual it says to use 10W30 oil on the original chains.

Is there a trick to check the o-ring quality, or just visually inspect them?

Adam,

Keep in mind that when these bikes were new chain lube was a new concept. Prior to that motor oil was the lube of choice. Your factory shop manual probably says to use a mix of ATF and motor oil in your forks too. Lubrication technology has come a long way (Keep the comments to yourself) since these bikes were new. Stick with the chain lube unless you really enjoy cleaning your rear wheel.

Joe

[first timer]

hey joe, i thought you were going to go 530 on your bike.

-ryan

[mcycle-nut]

I did the 530 conversion thing to my 750 and used an EX 530MO O-Ring chain. The chain was covered in what looked like white grease, and what a bloody mess it made of my bike! Are you supposed to wipe it down first?

[Joe Nardy]

hey joe, i thought you were going to go 530 on your bike.

-ryan

I was but ended up getting a great deal on an OEM front sprocket on eBay and was able to get an OEM rear from the local dealer so I decided to stay with the 630. I'll be doing the whole deal for about $135. My sprockets are original with over 30,000 miles on them so I don't see any reason to try something else.

Joe

[Footy.]

Generic silicone lube is good for a non-oring chain and I haven't noticed any issues with my o-ring chain I have now (DID). If you read your Suzuki owners manual it says to use 10W30 oil on the original chains.

Is there a trick to check the o-ring quality, or just visually inspect them?

Adam,

Keep in mind that when these bikes were new chain lube was a new concept. Prior to that motor oil was the lube of choice. Your factory shop manual probably says to use a mix of ATF and motor oil in your forks too. Lubrication technology has come a long way (Keep the comments to yourself) since these bikes were new. Stick with the chain lube unless you really enjoy cleaning your rear wheel.

Joe

On a side note, my haynes manual quotes this `50-50 ATF, motor oil' for the forks.

What is the modern fork oil equivilent viscosity, or recommendation?

Regards.

Footy.

[Jethro]

mcycle-nut Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I did the 530 conversion thing to my 750 and used an EX 530MO O-Ring chain. The chain was covered in what looked like white grease, and what a bloody mess it made of my bike! Are you supposed to wipe it down first?

That white grease is gear oil, and yes, I wipe it off a little before I put it on.

[Joe Nardy]

mcycle-nut Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I did the 530 conversion thing to my 750 and used an EX 530MO O-Ring chain. The chain was covered in what looked like white grease, and what a bloody mess it made of my bike! Are you supposed to wipe it down first?

That white grease is gear oil, and yes, I wipe it off a little before I put it on.

I thought it was white lithium grease???

[Jethro]

It's heavy weight gear oil, just like the shafty boys use in thier G's. Just like what we should be using to lube our chains with. Get it clean, get it hot, rub gear oil all over it and let it sit overnight. Wipe off the excess and you have a well lubed chain. I do that every 3000 miles and my chains pretty much always are clean and quiet.

Lithium based grease begins to breaks down after it gets wet. Petrolium based gear oil does not.

[jhw84]

On a side note, my haynes manual quotes this `50-50 ATF, motor oil' for the forks.

What is the modern fork oil equivilent viscosity, or recommendation?

Regards.

Footy.

Footy, I just changed my fork oil with Bel-ray 15 wt. They sell a variety of different weight fork oils:

http://www.belray.com/consumer/productpages/hpfo.html

My understanding is that the thicker the oil, the heavier the dampening. Im a light fella, so i used a relatively thin oil.
As you will see on the website, Bel-ray says you can mix different weights for fine tuning.

Cant say what the recomendation for your forks may be, as im not sure if they are the same for all, but i think my Clymer manual said 20w.

[Jethro]

I just put the Bel-Ray in also- man that stuff is pricy! I'm in the wrong buisness.

My manual said 15wt and KGB also suggested 15wt so that's what I got.

[Hoomgar]

I was told by a trusted source to use an X-ring on my bike or just use a standard chain. He didn't elaborate but it kind of goes along with that artical Joe. I have decided a while ago on the X-ring.

Besides, the one I am getting has gold links and is sexy

[80gs1000e]

hey joe, i thought you were going to go 530 on your bike.

-ryan

I was but ended up getting a great deal on an OEM front sprocket on eBay and was able to get an OEM rear from the local dealer so I decided to stay with the 630. I'll be doing the whole deal for about $135. My sprockets are original with over 30,000 miles on them so I don't see any reason to try something else.

Joe

See Ryan, even the Nardster likey the 630 setup. Why? Ask your local holy man....630 rules, all your wimpy 530 chain belong to us! HAhahaHAhahaha.......ah.ah.....