Chains

From Honda Trail Bike Wiki

These are the details of which model bike takes which type of chain:

[edit] Chain Options

Chain details by bike type

	Bike model and year	Chain type	Number of links
	XL600V-H to R models '87-'95	DID525V8-LE	118 links
	XL600V-T to W models '96-'98	DID525HV8	118 links
	XL600V-X models '99	DID525H-LJF4	120 links
	XL650V models	DID525HV	118 links
	XRV750-L to N models '90-'92	DID525V8-LE	124 links
	XRV750-P to T models '93-'96	DID525V8	124 links
	XRV750-V models '97-'03	DID525V8	124 links

[edit] Notes

The numbers 520, 525 & 530 refer to both the width and pitch of the chain (all in 1/8ths of an inch).

e.g. 525...the first figure - 5 - refers to the pitch: the pitch is 5/8ths of an inch. The second set of figures - 25 - is the width (and mixes metrix and imperial: the width is 2.5/8ths of an inch (or 5/16ths of an inch)

e.g. 630 = 6/8" (or 3/4") pitch, 3/8" width

[edit] Do you need to replace the chain?

A chain is rapidly coming to the end of its life when you notice a couple of things happening:

• The chain needs a lot of adjustment, say every few hundred miles
• The chain has a lot of sideways play, such as 3 cm in either direction from the middle of it's length

When the above happens, your chain needs replacing. It's worthwhile doing that earlier rather than later for 2 reasons.

• If a chain breaks, it won't happen next to a shop that sells replacement chains
• When a chain snaps whilst you're on the move, it's pot luck that nothing dangerous happens. The chain can jam in either sprocket and cause the rear wheel to lock, or whip out and cause you other injury.

[edit] Cleaning a chain

New chains have special grease in the rollers and using gunk or other grease detergents will remove the grease already in the chain. It's best not to do that. Use a brush or rag and clean it with a light oil or similar.

[edit] Oiling a chain

The purpose of oiling a chain is two-fold.

• Firstly, it ensures the parts of the chain that contact the sprockets have an oil film between them, which extends the life of your chain.
• Secondly, it keeps the chain clean by allowing road muck to fling off and not become a grinding paste between your chain and sprockets.