Chain stretching constantly

ricardoguitars · 06-05-2017, 03:13 PM

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

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?

Ariel Red Hunter · 06-05-2017, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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?

At least 20,000 miles...ARH

Sullybiker · 06-05-2017, 03:45 PM

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 · 06-05-2017, 05:51 PM

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

Thanks guys, helpful advice as usual!

wamey · 06-08-2017, 05:08 PM

If anyone is interested in the theory behind long chain/sprocket life give this a read. 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 · 06-08-2017, 10:05 PM

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 · 06-09-2017, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

XDoubleXA · 06-09-2017, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Megadan · 06-09-2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat67

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/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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

Ariel Red Hunter · 06-09-2017, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDoubleXA

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

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

Megadan · 06-09-2017, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

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 · 06-14-2017, 10:17 PM

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 · 06-15-2017, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDoubleXA

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 · 06-15-2017, 07:24 AM

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 · 06-15-2017, 09:02 AM

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.

06-05-2017, 03:13 PM	#1
ricardoguitars Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 82	Chain stretching constantly 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 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?
	0

06-08-2017, 10:05 PM	#6
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,041	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 __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 Last edited by Megadan; 09-29-2017 at 09:27 AM.
	0

06-14-2017, 10:17 PM	#12
timcosby Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: robertsdale alabama usa Posts: 1,007	The degreaser may be the problem. Even though your putting grease back on the degreaser may be working it's way past the orings. __________________ 1991 harley heritage softail classic 2016 hawk kaw h1 400 tripple 13' long chopper in progress 2009 johnny pag bar hog 2004 hd electra glide ultra classic shriner edition 1997 harley davidson 1200 sportster 1972 harley davidson amf sx250
	0

06-15-2017, 07:24 AM	#14
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,041	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. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1

06-05-2017, 03:45 PM	#3
Sullybiker Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Western PA Posts: 363	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.
	1

06-05-2017, 05:51 PM	#4
ricardoguitars Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 82	The sprockets look fine, I will bit the bullet and replace the thing. Thanks guys, helpful advice as usual!
	0

06-15-2017, 09:02 AM	#15
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,889	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.
	0