snapped chain

[icenian]

Just fitted a DID Gold H/D X-Ring Chain 525VMx124 to mine, which cost £70, it was the best price I found

That's astonishing. It also makes it more expensive to buy a kit from them as they want 110 pounds for that!

[Lord Stig]

Yes, that is odd. I just ordered a front sprocket and a VM chain (can't wait to have a goldie looking chain on it, init?). That came to £89.95 which includes £4.95 packing (the front sprocket was £15). From Wemoto I ordered the rear - £22, plus £2.20 p & p. So I've spent £114.15 all in. Wemoto do the standard set with a DID O-ring chain for £89.50 but are more expensive for an X-ring DID chain. TE Spares are cheaper still (but don't quote prices with VAT), but ordering was easier this way.

Cie - I hope to get a look at your chain on Sunday, though it's an outside chance I'll be able to make it now I have to fit the chain and sprockets. Not a big job, but I've a lot of other museum-related work to catch up on, and a visitor coming on Saturday. I haven't ruled it out though - got to catch up with you all sometime. That, or you'll rumble the fact that I never even sat on an AT, and in fact have been riding around Wickham in an anorak on an FS1E with L-plates for the last 10 years, knowing zilch about four strokes, let alone Honda V-twins

I just ask to last the week out without the chain snapping....

Stig

[HelmetHair]

stupid question-so only the first to reply can be sarcastic.....
The chian and both sprockets should be changed at the same time-you should not buy a new chain and put on old sprockets (even if they don't look "too worn"?

[Lord Stig]

Was that a question? Sorry for the sarcasm (I claim that right....). Yes, don't ask me why, but even running a new and old components together seems to massively increase the speed at which they wear. Someone will probably be along who can explain why....

False economy and all that,

Stig

[icenian]

stupid question-so only the first to reply can be sarcastic.....
The chian and both sprockets should be changed at the same time-you should not buy a new chain and put on old sprockets (even if they don't look "too worn"?

Worn sprockets have more "gap" and less "tooth", so it will wear the chain excessively. Obviously it's not a problem if the sprockets have done a few hundred miles and you needed a new chain for some reason. But as chains cost more than sprockets, it's generally considered worth protecting your investment with new sprockets.

When I did huge mileages I used to fit a new front sprocket with the old chain and old rear sprocket, which help a lot. Front sprockets wear out fastest, and changing it before it started to wear the chain have me an extra 50% mileage on the set for maybe 15% increase in cost.

[battlecatrider]

bad news about snapped chains good to hear it wasnt messy !
however can anyone advise me when to change my AT heavy duty chain set ?? (o-ring i think )... ive done 5000 miles on it and want to goto south france and back next month .... i keep it clean and lubed up good and its mostly done motorway miles .... reading about snapped chains worries me for the tour ... any advice would be much app.

[foz1969]

Been doing a bit of research this week, various bike forums and webpages etc( want 2 replace mine very soon) seems cheap chains are a very false and dangerous economy, genuine DID chains seem to have very good write-ups though they do come at a premium. The 'o' ring has been surpassed by 'x' ring, (interesting nerd stuff on internet so you can read up on how it causes less friction, better seal & stress levels etc) resulting in a better, longer lasting chain. Mine snapped last year while overtaking 2-up on a dual carriageway, luckily incident free!!! phew! present chain only covered 6/7000miles but stretched to max, despite normalish riding and being cleaned & lubed using PJ1 every 300miles. So... new HD DID X-RING 525 124 AROUND £95, BIT EXTRA FOR GOLD COLOURED, NEARLY ALWAYS CHANGED SPROCKETS AT THE SAME TIME IF SPENDING DECENT MONEY ON A CHAIN. CONCENSUS IS BUY THE ORIGINAL HONDA FRONT SPROCKET(with the rubber side-wall) £20 inc post. enjoy your trip

ive heard of people doing 30k plus on chains, though most have been m-way miles which are far more forgiving than urban riding.. pulling off , gearing down etc.
if you do choose to renew, get them to take the soft link out, cover it in grease/oil, tie it up in a bag and keep in garage as a spare.