New chain and sprockets

[stoinkythepig]

My chain and sprockets had 28,500 miles on them and though the chain was not requiring constant andjustment, nor were my adjusters maxed out, the chain had a wickedly pronounced tight section that prevented the proper amount of slack, so I put new parts on, on Friday. Man, what a difference that made in smoothness. If you know your chain has a loose or tight spot and the bike feels like it's running roughly at low speeds or whil accelerating, you may want to consider changing the chain and sprockets.

I went with top-shelf Regina stuff this time.

[Mondo]

nice

def on my to do list

[Pigman]

Quality stuff...........

[Kham]

got 30k on the chain. man no wonder the wheelie was not so smooth.

[toocrazy2yoo]

Jeez, why doesn't a chain BREAK at some point?

[Ericthejet]

I had fresh sprockets and a good quality chain thrown on my bike about 4 seasons past.
Yup, world of difference.

[stoinkythepig]

Jeez, why doesn't a chain BREAK at some point?

I recall reading that the chain I bought has 9400 lbs of tensile strength. The most tension my bike can possibly put on the chain (first gear WOT at torque peak) is less than 2000 lbs (70 ft-lbs of torque X primary reduction 1.714 X first gear ratio 2.571 X (12/front sprocket radius in inches) It would take a severely worn out chain to break at less than 25% tensile strength. I'm not sure that much wear would would allow the chain to stay on the sprockets.

[stoinkythepig]

I had fresh sprockets and a good quality chain thrown on my bike about 4 seasons past.
Yup, world of difference.

I did too, only it was three years ago. That's the set that was all worn out... The set before it only lasted 18,000 miles and the set before that went 26,000. After the 18,000 mile chain, I decided not to try and save money on a mid-grade chain. The cost difference, per mile, is higher with the cheap chain.

[toocrazy2yoo]

Are you guys thrashers? What determines chain wear in terms of how you ride? I understand for any given chain, ya have to flush the sand and shit outta the links, lube it, and adjust it from time to time. But in terms of riding style, assuming I don't race around, no track days, just kinda putt around the interstates, parkways and some VERY mild sport touring and the occasional phat chick on the back, on a Bandit 1200S, what kinda mileage should I expect outta my Stock Suzuki 530 chain and stock sprockets?

Yeah, yeah, I'm a moron, but also, all I ever rode was shaftie-bikes before. For me, it's a brave new world..

[Crash Dummy Denno]

shameless plug

All your drivetrain needs from Boston Moto

[butcher bergs]

What determines chain wear in terms of how you ride?

For the most part it's all about maintenance.

I got something like 35,000 out of my last chain and that mileage includes some "harder" riding.

[stoinkythepig]

Are you guys thrashers? What determines chain wear in terms of how you ride? I understand for any given chain, ya have to flush the sand and shit outta the links, lube it, and adjust it from time to time. But in terms of riding style, assuming I don't race around, no track days, just kinda putt around the interstates, parkways and some VERY mild sport touring and the occasional phat chick on the back, on a Bandit 1200S, what kinda mileage should I expect outta my Stock Suzuki 530 chain and stock sprockets?

Yeah, yeah, I'm a moron, but also, all I ever rode was shaftie-bikes before. For me, it's a brave new world..

My other bikes were shaft driven too. I don't think I'm a thrasher, but I spend little time on the highway and go through the gears many times on my back-road, 100+-mile-per-day commute. All my chains have worn out internally, places that chain lube can never reach. Sprockets are always in decent shape when I replace them, it's the chains that fail. I'm not convinced chain cleaning and lube does a whole lot except keep the sprockets in decent shape.

I cannot think of anyone that has ever exceeded 40,000 miles on a set, but I imagine constant highway riding would do it. Anything over 25,000, to me, is a bonus.

[kbroderick]

Jeez, why doesn't a chain BREAK at some point?

Oh, they do. I had the chain on my Ninjette fail at 13,748 miles. Fortunately, it was at low speed and the only damage was to the front sprocket cover (partially from the chain, partially from me having to break the damn cover to get it off). The previous owner(s) didn't seem to be too big on maintenance; I don't know if the chain was ever lubed before I got the bike at 8,914 miles.

I'm currently at 25,969 miles and the new chain is in much better shape than the old one was at 13k, or even at 10k, and I bought a reasonable-quality but not top-of-the-line chain and sprockets when I did the replacement.

[RandyO]

what kinda mileage should I expect outta my Stock Suzuki 530 chain and stock sprockets?

..

depends

how well maintian it

your riding style

road conditions

answer..... anywhere between 8,000 miles and 35,000 miles

gravel roads will reduce milage
wet roads will reduce r milage
abrupt engine braking will reduce milage
abrupt acceleration will reduce milage

[RandyO]

I cannot think of anyone that has ever exceeded 40,000 miles on a set, but I imagine constant highway riding would do it. Anything over 25,000, to me, is a bonus.

I have over 50,000 miles on the original chain & sprockets on my 920r with no visible sign of wear and, its a non o-ring chain

however it is a 630 chain that is enclosed and bathed in lube