KMC 428UO Drive Chain

[SpudRider]

I think one of the best deals available on drive chains is the KMC 428UO drive chain. This gold, O-ring, drive chain has low friction, low maintenance, and good looks! You can buy the KMC 428UO drive chain from OEMCycle.com for $34.94, which represents an unmatched value.

http://www.oemcycle.com/Item/product/900269983

I'm running this drive chain on my Zong, and I love it! After riding thousands of miles with this low maintenance, O-ring, drive chain, I never want to return to conventional drive chains.



Spud

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the tip, Spud. May I recommend that you add this to the sticky? It needs to be easy for people to find.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Thanks for the tip, Spud. May I recommend that you add this to the sticky? It needs to be easy for people to find.

You're welcome, Weld. An O-ring drive chain allows a motorcyclist to spend more time riding, and less time performing drive chain maintenance. When the drive chain stretches, it ruins both sprockets. Therefore, the longer-lasting, O-ring drive chains are not only easier to maintain, they are more economical, since you are replacing both the spockets and the drive chain less frequently.

I just added a link to this thread in the "Zong Sticky," located at the top of this forum.

Spud

[FastDoc]

I'm pretty sure that's what I put oon the YZ when I changed the chain and sprockets. Mine uses an 'X' O-ring design.

[SpudRider]

You rode my Zong with the KMC, 428UO drive chain for 300 miles when you visited me last summer, Doc. I like this drive chain so much, I am considering installing the 520 version of this drive chain on my Honda XR650L. You can't find a quality, 428, O-ring drive chain for this price anywhere else. The gold color is an added bonus!

Spud

[FastDoc]

The gold is worth 5-10% more power. Silver 3-5%.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

The gold is worth 5-10% more power. Silver 3-5%.

Indeed! I should also mention, the KMC 428UO drive chain is sold in a length of 132 links. Therefore, you can employ the largest sprockets you can find, and this drive chain will still be long enough, with links left over.

I don't know of any size 428, X-ring drive chains available for purchase in the United States. Therefore, this O-ring drive chain represents the best quality, at the best price, for any 428 drive chain I have discovered.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

When you find a 520 KMC O-Ring for a Spud-approved price, please let us know. Son of Weldangrind and I now have five bikes in the stable that use a 520.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

When you find a 520 KMC O-Ring for a Spud-approved price, please let us know. Son of Weldangrind and I now have five bikes in the stable that use a 520.

Based upon my experience with the KMC 428UO drive chain, I am sorely tempted to buy a KMC 520UO drive chain for my Honda XR650L. The best price I found for the 520UO drive chain if $61.94, from OEMCycle.com.

http://www.oemcycle.com/Item/product/900269972

However, I am currently employing an excellent, RK 520EXW, drive chain on my XR650L, and this X-Ring, drive chain only costs $69.99.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...-XW-RING-Chain

Therefore, I think I will stick with the X-ring drive chain, which is supposed to wear longer than an O-ring drive chain. The RK drive chains are also noted for their excellent construction and durability.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Spud, the X-ring chain is something I'm unfamiliar with. Please tell me about the concept.

[FastDoc]

Just an O ring with an X shaped cross section. It's supposed to reduce friction and enhance sealing.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Spud, the X-ring chain is something I'm unfamiliar with. Please tell me about the concept.

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Just an O ring with an X shaped cross section. It's supposed to reduce friction and enhance sealing.

As usual, the wise physician is correct. In addition to lower friction and better sealing, the X-ring is supposed to be more durable and longer lasting than an O-ring. The flatter X-ring is claimed to offer more surface area to seal in the grease, yet less surface area for grit to accumulate on the X-ring itself.



To the best of my knowledge, D.I.D. is the only manufacturer who offers an X-ring, drive chain in size 428. However, this D.I.D. drive chain is not available for sale in the United States; only O-ring, drive chains are available in size 428.

The KMC 428UO drive chain is very well manufactured, yet is much less expensive than any other, size 428, O-ring drive chain I have yet discovered.

Spud

[FastDoc]

I think they made the gold X ring chain in 520 size I put on the YZ.

[FastDoc]

I got mine from Rock Mountain ATV. 8)

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the explanation, guys. I hadn't heard of an X-ring.