Chain stretching constantly

[ricardoguitars]

Hello everyone, recently my O-Ring chain started stretching constantly, I have to adjust it 1 or twice a week, I put around 60km on it daily with a pillion, I clean it and lube it every other week with Repsol degreaser and Motul Off-Road grease (we get lots of rain and shitty roads around here), also check alignment with the Motion Pro alignment tool, I replaced the junk OEM chain with this one 10,000km ago more or less, it worked fine until now :hmm: I had to remove a pair of links because I ran out of thread on the adjusters.

What is the average lifespan of an O-Ring chain?

:thanks:

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Hello everyone, recently my O-Ring chain started stretching constantly, I have to adjust it 1 or twice a week, I put around 60km on it daily with a pillion, I clean it and lube it every other week with Repsol degreaser and Motul Off-Road grease (we get lots of rain and shitty roads around here), also check alignment with the Motion Pro alignment tool, I replaced the junk OEM chain with this one 10,000km ago more or less, it worked fine until now :hmm: I had to remove a pair of links because I ran out of thread on the adjusters.

What is the average lifespan of an O-Ring chain?

:thanks:At least 20,000 miles...ARH

[Sullybiker]

Lifespan really depends, I got 9,000 miles out of my old sportbike chain, the newer one is going much longer. I think if you're taking links out, it's a safe bet it might be knackered.

There's a very approximate test you can do:

Adjust the chain to spec, then pull the chain rearwards away from midpoint of the rear sprocket (on the bike's longitudinal axis) If you can reveal more than half a sprocket tooth, the chain is done.

It's worth having a look at your sprocket teeth too. If they're worn they will increase the wear rate on the chain a fair amount.

If you have a harsh environment for a chain all the maintenance in the world won't stop it from wearing quickly.

[ricardoguitars]

The sprockets look fine, I will bit the bullet and replace the thing.

Thanks guys, helpful advice as usual! :tup:

[wamey]

If anyone is interested in the theory behind long chain/sprocket life give this a read. (http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/SprocketsOtherSizesFAQ.htm) Specifically "Chain Wear - The Theory"

I did the math for the hawk. See attached picture.

So if you wind up going the 17/45 sprocket route, ideally you'd be able to fit a 128 link chain on there. I don't know if there's enough room to fit the 128 link chain though so buy a longer one and shorten it. Really 17/43 or 17/47 are way better options from chain/sprocket wear perspective. Can anyone confirm that 128 link will fit 17/45?

[Megadan]

I have the 17/45 on my bike with a 130 link chain with about 1" of slack on a brand new chain with the swing arm at full droop. The adjusters are more or less in the middle of the adjusters on the swing arm. You could possibly remove 2 links and run a 128 link chain, but you would definitely be toward the front of the adjusters if it worked.

A 17/43 would definitely work with 128 links, and I eventually plan on trying that combination.

Edit. 128 links works perfectly on the 17/45 as well as the 17/43

[goat67]

I have the 17/45 on my bike with a 130 link chain with about 1" of slack on a brand new chain with the swing arm at full droop. The adjusters are more or less in the middle of the adjusters on the swing arm. You could possibly remove 2 links and run a 128 link chain, but you would definitely be toward the front of the adjusters if it worked.

A 17/43 would definitely work with 128 links, and I eventually plan on trying that combination.

Where are you going to get the 43 tooth rear sprocket?

[XDoubleXA]

I have the 17/45 on my bike with a 130 link chain with about 1" of slack on a brand new chain with the swing arm at full droop. The adjusters are more or less in the middle of the adjusters on the swing arm. You could possibly remove 2 links and run a 128 link chain, but you would definitely be toward the front of the adjusters if it worked.

A 17/43 would definitely work with 128 links, and I eventually plan on trying that combination.


I Ordered a 428h 128 link chain, and now im thinking its not going to work with 17 front and 46 rear....fml

[Megadan]

Where are you going to get the 43 tooth rear sprocket?

Amazon, the same place I ordered the 45.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CK56KO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They have 34 to 56 teeth options in their menu on that product page

[Ariel Red Hunter]

I Ordered a 428h 128 link chain, and now im thinking its not going to work with 17 front and 46 rear....fmlI would think it would work just fine. The wheel will be a little bit closer to the swing arm pivot bolt, I'm thinking...ARH

[Megadan]

I would think it would work just fine. The wheel will be a little bit closer to the swing arm pivot bolt, I'm thinking...ARH

I agree ^. Try it and find out before you go out and order another chain. Your axle adjusters may be most of the way forward, but it still may work.

[timcosby]

The degreaser may be the problem. Even though your putting grease back on the degreaser may be working it's way past the orings.

[goat67]

I Ordered a 428h 128 link chain, and now im thinking its not going to work with 17 front and 46 rear....fml

That is the stock setup on the Brozz 128 with 17 front 46 rear

[Megadan]

On the subject of chain cleaning and lubrication. I started using DuPont's "Chain Saver" Dry Self-cleaning lubricant (has PTFE, Moly, and the lubricant base wax) a couple of years ago on a previous bike, and it makes a huuuuge difference. I still clean the chain with WD40 (or Kerosene, same thing) as I always have, but after that dries I give the chain a good soak with this stuff and boy does it perform well. It's almost water like when you spray it on, but it dries on and sticks really well. It also does a pretty good job at keeping most of the grunge away. Already slathered it all over my hawk's new chain, and the guide on the swing arm as well.

[Mudflap]

There is a huge difference in the quality of O ring chains. I've seen cheap ones start shedding O rings in under 1000 miles. The DID chain on my Lifan 200 has so far required no adjustments in 6500 miles. The only maintenance it gets is a tiny bit of gear oil on the O rings once a year.

[2LZ]

There is a huge difference in the quality of O ring chains. I've seen cheap ones start shedding O rings in under 1000 miles. The DID chain on my Lifan 200 has so far required no adjustments in 6500 miles. The only maintenance it gets is a tiny bit of gear oil on the O rings once a year.

The RX3 comes with an o-ring chain and it's garbage. If you like adjusting on a constant basis, it's the chain for you!

I'm with you megadan, that Dupont stuff is the best I've ever used. Lubes well, lasts a while and doesn't end up all over your bike. Usually any time I place and Amazon order, I'll toss in a can to ride the coattails of the free shipping. Can't have too much.

[Rangerscott]

I use RK chains. Theyre good and price a little cheaper than D.i.D. chains.

[JerryHawk250]

After reading this I decided to go out and measure my chain to se how much the stock chain has stretch. Good rule of thumb is a that anything over 2% of stretch is out of tolerance and needs to be changed and on an o-ring chain it's 1% of stretch. A 428 chain is 1/2" from pin to pin. I have just over 1700 miles on the stock chain. Measuring 23 pins it was just under 11 9/16". That's right at 1%. The chain doesn't actually stretch but wears the pins and bearings which causes the excess play. The stock chains aren't well lubricated from the factory like every other part on these bikes. When I assembled my bike I took the chain off and let it soak in synthetic gear oil for a few hours while assembling the bike before I put it back on the bike. This is more than likely why my stock chain has held up so well. When I do go off road and go through lots of water, mud and sand I pull my chain off when I get home and clean it with kerosene. I'll wash it 2 or 3 times to make sure I have all the sand and grime out. After it dries i'll either soak it in gear oil again and lately I have use ARH method and boil it in paraffin wax. I found this method works so much better and pretty much water proofs the chain and is not as messy. When I do replace the chain i'll go with the Unibear chain.

[RogerWFarrier]

I Ordered a 428h 128 link chain, and now im thinking its not going to work with 17 front and 46 rear....fml

I've been running a 128 link chain on my TT 250 with a 17/45 setup with no issues.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

After reading this I decided to go out and measure my chain to se how much the stock chain has stretch. Good rule of thumb is a that anything over 2% of stretch is out of tolerance and needs to be changed and on an o-ring chain it's 1% of stretch. A 428 chain is 1/2" from pin to pin. I have just over 1700 miles on the stock chain. Measuring 23 pins it was just under 11 9/16". That's right at 1%. The chain doesn't actually stretch but wears the pins and bearings which causes the excess play. The stock chains aren't well lubricated from the factory like every other part on these bikes. When I assembled my bike I took the chain off and let it soak in synthetic gear oil for a few hours while assembling the bike before I put it back on the bike. This is more than likely why my stock chain has held up so well. When I do go off road and go through lots of water, mud and sand I pull my chain off when I get home and clean it with kerosene. I'll wash it 2 or 3 times to make sure I have all the sand and grime out. After it dries i'll either soak it in gear oil again and lately I have use ARH method and boil it in paraffin wax. I found this method works so much better and pretty much water proofs the chain and is not as messy. When I do replace the chain i'll go with the Unibear chain.I'm glad that my method of lubing a drive chain worked out for you....ARH

[ricardoguitars]

Got a JT brand chain, a world of difference! bike feels so smooth now. I believe the old was was an RK, it lasted 17000+ kilometers, let's see how long this one lasts.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Got a JT brand chain, a world of difference! bike feels so smooth now. I believe the old was was an RK, it lasted 17000+ kilometers, let's see how long this one lasts.Maintain it correctly and you will get a lot of miles out of it. Not a big deal to get 25,000 miles out of one with a moderate powered engine.

[jimwildman]

If your hard on the bike the 428 chain will stretch badly. oring, xring, not much better.

if your wasting money due to short life just go 520

Some people will warn about rotating mass and such but really, if you dump the clutch at WOT often, to get over logs and up rock faces like I do, you will need this upgrade.

For the hawk, and many other Chinese bikes. look into.

jtsprokets
jtr279 rear
jtf328 front

I ordered 13tooth front and 38 tooth rear.

Use a good oring or xring 520 chain, I'm not sure yet how long but I got a deal on one way too long. I'll update this post after I cut it to length.

I plan to wreck the 428 I have on there now prior to this install.

My goal was to match my existing ratio with a 428 setup of 17/50.

The 13 tooth front 520 sprocket is almost the same diameter as the 16 tooth 428 sprocket. and matches otherwise.

The 38 tooth 520 rear is a bit smaller than the 50 tooth 428 rear, I would guess it closely matches the 47 tooth 428 rear.

The bolt patterns, center hole sizes, and thicknesses match.

It took me a long time to locate the part numbers and I wasn't sure until I received the sprockets they definitely fit, I have several old ones around to compare them to as I've toasted 2 428 sets in the last year, and I'm on my 3rd now.

Im hoping to get at least a year out of the 520 set.

[JerryHawk250]

Good info Jim. :tup: If I had to replace sprockets I would upgrade to the 520 too. I'll just see how long what I have last. Chain length should be 104 or 106.

[Megadan]

Yes, thank you for that information. I was contemplating upping to a 520 in the future as well. I have had good luck with 428H chains lasting a long time in the past even with my riding style.

For anybody considering this conversion, to match the venerable 17/45 you would want to run a 13/35 combination. For me to keep my 17/43 I can use a 13/33. I think I will hold off until my EK 428H o-ring wears out before I pull the trigger...mostly because it was nearly $80 lol.

I honestly wouldn't worry about driveline loss. The weight difference between a 428h and a 520 chain per foot is pretty small. Even if it was 2% more loss, with a 15hp engine we are talking a quarter of a hp loss.

[jimwildman]

I cut 5 links from a 112 link 520 chain to get a perfect fit with my 13/38 sprokets on the hawk. I Would not go bigger on the front sproket as it gets tighter in the case with a 520 chain, meaning you can get away with a larger front sproket with 428 than 520.

I was able to wiggle the cover right on over the fron sproket with the chain on.