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Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:14 pm
by jrdwthomas
Hi all, i haven't been on the forum since it changed from the old one! Ages i know but the bike has been running sweet over the summer and i haven't needed to do a single thing to her.

However, i went to adjust the chain yesterday and it would appear that it has now stretched beyond adjustment. I've maxed out the adjustment and the chain is still too loose. I've never had to replace a chain before so i just wanted to check that its definately time for a new chain once this happens. Both front and rear sprockets look fine also.

Can anyone recommend a new chain/sprocket set to get. I'll probably stick with the standard 15/40 setup.

Cheers all

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:04 pm
by superlite
Yep. Sounds like it's time for a newy. I prefer to replace the sprockets with the chain, but you should be right if the sprockets are in good condition.

As for chain choice, you get what you pay for! NC30/35s are harsh on chains because of the lack of a cush drive, so go for any of the big names: DID, RK, etc. I wouldn't bother with anything less than X-ring - RK is my personal preference.

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:46 pm
by Sligeach
Renthal are mine and my friends preference. support the British companies economy in their time of need!!
DID i have had good experiences with too

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:29 pm
by viper_biker
I've had a Renthal on my NC in the past but have preferred X-ring Tsubaki chains ever since I started using them about 2 years ago. I've treated nearly all my bikes to Tsubaki chains and couldn't say a bad thing about them.

As for sprockets, I've only ever used Renthal, but there are others available on the market. A friend is running a Talon rear sprocket and it seems to be just as capable as the Renthal counterpart.

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:11 pm
by jrdwthomas
Thanks for the info guys. Is there any real advantage for road use in putting a 520 chain on or should i just stick to a 525?

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:14 pm
by fastdruid
I'd stick to the 525 myself.

520 is fine on the track where you're only doing 100miles in between inspections/adjustments not so good on the road.

Druid

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 2:57 pm
by matty_boy
Top tip for checking your chain, do it when you have cleaned your bike.

Go to the rear sprocket, and in the middle of it at the rear most point see if you can pull it away from the sprocket.
If you can it is time for a new one. The reason is because it does not matter how tight your chain is on the bike because you are pulling against the top and bottom of the rear sprocket. If you can pull it away from the sprocket by a good amount it means your chain has stretched.

Matty.

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:16 pm
by Neosophist
Good tip there,

Another is to re-check chain tension with somone on the bike. as it can get a looot tighter

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:30 pm
by jrdwthomas
Cheers for the tips guys.

Re: Time for new chain??

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:35 am
by Mockery
It's *supposed* to get tighter when someone is on the bike.
The slack is designed so that as the suspension compresses, the distance between the sprockets doesn't get too long for the chain.
At maximum sprocket distance, there's not supposed to still be much slack there at all. Just enough so the chain isn't being stretched.

BMW's new G450X enduro has the swingarm pivoted about the countershaft. Whatever else it may mean, the chain can be run with pretty much no slack as the sprocket distance doesn't change. I reckon that's pretty cool, although changing front sprockets would be a bit more work...