chain & sprockets: EK vs. JT/DID vs. Drivesystems

[breakdirt916]

any input?

EK/JT -$130 shipped on fleabay - not sure about quality

JT/DID - $165 shipped on fleabay - read good reviews!

drivesystems - $220+, local - excellent reviews!

the bike is a 70hp 1995 FZR600 that I bought for cheap money, so I'm not looking to sink cash money into it. if anyone can confirm that the EK/JT is a a good enough option, I'm going for it once it re-lists on fleabay.

[csmutty]

Either will be fine. Make sure its an oring.

[nt650hawk]

Check out pbi sprockets

[breakdirt916]

anyone know about RK 530 XSO chains?

the website says it's suitable for street, and harleys...

and it uses an RX-ring

which, apparently takes longer to elongate than an o-ring chain



I found new front and rear sprockets on fleabay, steel for around $35 total...now I just need a chain

[scottieducati]

DID ERV 3 (gold), can be found on eBay for a deal. Best chain for the $$ and proven. My engine builder saw slight power gains due to JUST the chain, and it's lack of friction. FWIW, I'm sold on em.

[breakdirt916]

nice, how does it rank for longevity?

I actually shooting for value...I got a "performance" 520 chain w' lightweight aluminum rear sprocket, and in under 8k miles, it threw teeth, and ran out of adjustment...plus, bike is a 1995 FZR600 and haven't touched the valves since 2006 when I bought it (over 30,000 miles later)...power isn't a problem here

[scottieducati]

Alloy sprockets will be the biggest issue with wear, but I am anticipating the chain to last at least a full season or two on my VFR400 race-bike, with steel sprockets. Regular cleaning and adjustment of your chain will always help preserve longevity.

What sold me on these chains was *brand new* out of the box, if you let the chain hang down you can *feel* how much more freely the links move compared to say a brand new RK racing 520 chain. The difference is night and day, and as I said, my engine builder saw (IIRC) over a HP difference on the dyno literally only changing from an RK to the DID ERV3. Dealing with 60 HP bikes, that's nothing to scoff at!

They are seeing over a season of racing on them no problem.

[breakdirt916]

nvm...I was gunning for the RK 530XSO chain with the RX ring (better than o-ring, but worse than XW ring posted above), and I found a new one on fleabay for $31.99 shipped, so I took it

going to pair it with steel sprockets for another $55 or so, and I will have a full set of chain and sprockets for $85 + install (which I'll do myself)

[Jim]

i've had an RK break on me, been using DID ever since.

[breakdirt916]

which RK chain? GSV? SO? RSO? GXW? XSO?

I'd only run the last 2 on a sport bike

did you lube? adjust? how many miles until it was broke? track? street? was it worn when it broke?

[CBR929RE]

Jim uses extra lube for everything

[Jim]

which RK chain? GSV? SO? RSO? GXW? XSO?

I'd only run the last 2 on a sport bike

did you lube? adjust? how many miles until it was broke? track? street? was it worn when it broke?

dont know the model, street only bike. the clip-on master is what actually broke. the chain had under 10k on it and was getting a bit dry. it just bought the bike from someone.
now i use DID only and clean & lube it every 300 miles. been about 15k on my DID and needed one 1/4 turn adjustment.

[csmutty]

dont know the model, street only bike. the clip-on master is what actually broke. the chain had under 10k on it and was getting a bit dry. it just bought the bike from someone.
now i use DID only and clean & lube it every 300 miles. been about 15k on my DID and needed one 1/4 turn adjustment.

I swap gearing so often I never know if my chain stretches haha.

[breakdirt916]

ya...too many variables to blame all RK chains

I'm in it...going to see how long it lasts

but my bike has a ton of miles with zero internal engine maintenance...this might be the last set of chain and sprockets this bike ever sees..

[breakdirt916]

here we are a year later...the RK 530 "XSO" stretch cycle is starting to begin again...

it's also developing some tight and weak spots (which you can hear/feel when you ride)...but they go away with a generous lubing...so I'm not cleaning, but I'll put the teflon spray on about once a week...or once every couple weeks.

only this time around I've adjusted it maybe 1-2 times in the last 5,000 miles or so, so it might be a rocked out rear suspension squishing too much and stretching the chain, or it could just be a chain...I'm guessing rocked out rear suspension

[CBR929RE]

too many clutched whoolies

[OreoGaborio]

it might be a rocked out rear suspension squishing too much and stretching the chain

Your chain shouldn't be pulled tight no matter WHAT the rear suspension is doing. That's the whole point of adjusting the chain so that there's slack through the entire suspension range.

[breakdirt916]

whaat...buy clayton said suspension!!!

okay...well I'm done adjusting chains...that' fo' sho'...m gonna lube it up again and keep going...bike's gotta conk out any day now...dunno how it keeps running

[FAST GSXR750]

Not to highjack the original thread but...clip style master vs rivet style. As i don't have a chain tool it requires a trip to the shop or at least trying to borrow a tool. I HATE borrowing tools. Any bad experience with clip type? I do a bunch of track days.

[OreoGaborio]

Not to highjack the original thread but...clip style master vs rivet style. As i don't have a chain tool it requires a trip to the shop or at least trying to borrow a tool. I HATE borrowing tools. Any bad experience with clip type? I do a bunch of track days.

Some people use safety wire instead of a clip, like so:

Attachment 37326 or

Others use a dab of silicone on the clip to help security, like so:

Attachment 37325


Others still don't do a damn thing... like me. I just check it periodically but I've never had a problem (DID ERV3)

[CBR929RE]

I'd only use a rivet type but that's just me. if you're worried put the clip type on and bring a rivet type to the track. I'm sure someone will have a tool you can use. post up before you go asking someone to bring one. I can always bring mine if we're gonna be at the same days.