New chain... O vs X

[OreoGaborio]

ok, now i KNOW this topic has been beaten to death as far as stock size or 520, so i'm NOT gonna ask about that. If i find a 520 kit for about the same price as the stocker i'm gonna go w/ that, since my oringinl chain has over 16k on it & hasn't stretched out much at all... and for those of you who have seen my bike, it wasn't treated nicely either

So my question instead is, O-ring vs X-ring... wtf are the pros & cons of each?

I'm probably just gonna end up getting basic OEM replacment hardware, maybe a clip-style master, but I was just curious about the differences.

[OreoGaborio]

found the answer.... not sure if it's marketing propoganda or what though

http://www.didchain.com/question.html

EDIT: hmmm... http://www.calsportbike.com/cgi-bin/...d=1411&count=1 possible 520 conversion w/ gold chain & + a few teeth in the rear? only $77 for the gold 520/120 x-ring chain

[RandyO]

are you going to 520 cause this is a track bike and your trying to save a couple ounces of rotating mass?

in the past, many riders have gone to 520 cause of sprocket avalibility, not a good reason any more, the demand for 520 sprockets is exceeding the supply as many SV riders I know are finding out.

if your talking about a street bike, I'd stick with the 525 or 530 what ever is stock on your bike, and stick with steels sprockets,

[OreoGaborio]

Randaayyy... I wasn't really toyin w/ the 520 conversion, but the chain i linked to above was 40 bucks less in the 520 size than the 525.... but yes i do the occational track day so it's not the worst idea, so i figured i'd consider it.

It also seems that my milage has been decreasing on my street bike, the stock chain has lasted for over 16k poorly maintained miles & i don't think i'll have my 6R for much more than another 10-15k miles

It also seems that my riding style is relatively easy on chains & rear tires... no idea why, but my stock chain has lasted quite a while w/ little stretching & the last few trackdays have shown very little "boogering" on my rear compared to the front (I know tire wear and chain wear is like apples & oranges, but you get my drift)

I'm replacing it more because it's in horrible condition as far as rust goes, not because it's all stretched out. I don't even think my sprockets need replacing due to wear, i'm just replacing them because it's recommended when getting a new chain.


Basically i don't think it's a big deal which i go w/, i'm just lookin for a good bang for the buck new chain & sprocket setup, that's the most important thing to me.

as for other aspects to consider in my decision:
1) don't THINK i'm hard on the drivetrain
2) don't think i'll have my bike for more than another 10-15k
3) i do quite a bit of trackdays, but i may "retire" the 6R from TD duty when i get a race bike


SO... does anyone have any experiences w/ this EK SRX X-ring 520 chain? The gold one is only 77 bucks, normal is only 55-60... less w/ my ODFU member discount

the SRX 525 size chain is in the 85 dollar range

[R7]

O-ring vs X-ring? I wouldn't worry about it. I've had both on off road toys and they seem to all last the same amount of time. I "think" the X-ring got kinks in it sooner than the O-ring, maybe it seals out to much lube?
If you're looking for max power to your rear wheel, get a non O-ring chain, you'd be amazed at how much drag is in a O-ringer
Though by looking at your chain yesterday, you're not up to the care and maintenance that a non O-ring chain requires

The only streetbike I had long ennough to replace the chain was the 1998 R1 I had, it had close to 25k miles on the stock chain. So I'd say you got shitty milage from your stock chain.. but then again if I remember rite, Kawi uses the shittiest brand of chain out there so I guess that could be why?

[RandyO]

Pete, really only trying to point out that there are currently availbility problems with 520 sprockets for some applications,
I have also heard that Sprocket Specialists are behind on all their orders.

Yes, You do want to renew your sprockets with the new chain, I didn't one time cause I thought the sprockets looked "good" the new chain I bought only lasted half of what I expected.

I have a scottoiler and run oem steel front and aluminum rear with an OEM chain made by DID I get 30-35k from a set, and the front sprocket is loosing teeth while the chain & rear don't even look worn

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by R7
Though by looking at your chain yesterday, you're not up to the care and maintenance that a non O-ring chain requires

ya got that right Of course the original owner didn't help my cause much... i know for a fact that I take better care of that chain than he ever did... which is a scary thought but tht's the ONLY thing i saw on the bike when i went to buy it that wasn't taken care of meticulously.... i think he just kept on adding grease to the thing or somethin cuz i could barely see the chain through all the nasty gunk that was on it


I think I'm kinda starting to lean towards gettin that EK gold 520 chain & some AFAM sprockets unless anyones got a serious reason why i shouldn't The AFAM sprockets that are on Cal-Sportbike are Aluminium rear & Steel front like Randy mentioned.

Also think I MAY do somethin i never thought I would & go up a few in the rear but in all probability i may just stick w/ the stock sizes.... i dunno, i'll think about it.

[MnM]

there are usually package deals with the RK Gold X chain and sprockets(vortex) for decent prices.....

I have been told that the aluminum rear sprockets teeth wear a lot faster...i guess if you maintain the chain it won't wear that much quicker than steel. They do sell rear sprockets with the steel teeth and aluminum center(best of both worlds).....

[TLRMan]

20,000 miles on a Afam 520 kit, and still going....Need I say anymore?