I must say right away that the chain drive itself has been known for a long time; now it is not the only option, but it is still popular to this day. Its main advantages are ease of installation and maintenance, high efficiency, affordable price, and the ability to change the so-called without unnecessary hassle. gear ratio. There are also disadvantages, of course. The main disadvantage is that the chain stretches, wears out and therefore sag - you have to tighten it. And it needs to be lubricated regularly.
Each motorcycle chain of a decent brand has a proprietary index that can immediately answer a number of questions for an informed buyer. Thus, the most widespread products are those with indices 428, 520, 525 and 530. The first number in them is the chain pitch (the distance between the axes of the link fastenings), and the next two are the width (exactly the internal width where the teeth go).
No tightening or loosening should be done to compensate for extra or missing links. When buying a replacement chain, most motorcycle owners take their old one and count how many links there are, and then look for an analogue. There is an option to change the gear ratio and/or drive sprocket, then the number of links will have to be increased/decreased.
According to the type of seal, all motorcycle chains are divided into sealed and sealless. Actually, the name eloquently indicates the features of the device. The stuffing box type is marked according to the type of seal: O-ring, X-ring, W- or Z-ring. The index indicates the service life and friction losses. The oil seals keep the lubricant in the rollers, reducing wear, which greatly increases the life of the entire chain. Naturally, you need to lubricate a motorcycle chain with a compound specially designed for this purpose, and not with any lubricant.
There are several types of oil seals, they differ primarily in their cross-section. At one time, it was thanks to oil seals that the need for protective covers disappeared and the open system gained popularity - now almost all motorcycles are like this. And sealless chains have become niche - they are popular in sports and for models with small cubic capacity.
Locks and sizes
As a rule, locks come complete with chains, less often they are bought separately where they are sold. But by default, they are not meant as safety features, like for bicycles, but rather as connecting locks. You can buy a lock separately, according to the chain marking - the index must match. Different locks differ from each other mainly in the thickness of the plates and pins, as well as in the materials used, so it is highly recommended not to experiment, but to use a lock from the same manufacturer and with the same index for your chain.
As a rule, when choosing a chain, they are guided not only by basic technical parameters, but also take into account the operating conditions of the motorcycle. For example, for powerful sports models with a liter volume by default, a reinforced chain will be needed. It is more expensive than usual, but will withstand working with an engine of a couple of hundred horses. But for a road motorcycle, there is no point in buying the most expensive chain in a car store.
How are muzzles installed?
It all depends on the design of the muzzles. Some people install them without removing the wheel using wheel jacks or by hanging the motorcycle on a jack. Some require the wheel to be removed to secure the chains. Still others take advantage of the method used by motorists, rolling the motorcycle on a chain so as not to put it on a jack.
When installing chains, it is especially important to consider whether the links will touch nearby parts of the motorcycle, rub against the pendulum or feathers and fenders?
Features of chains from EK Chain
The brand is considered the flagship of its field. It was this brand that first created the O-ring drive, and now offers a range of different types. And for several decades now, motorcycle chains produced by EK Chains have been considered among the highest quality.
The simplest option is considered the standard: a sealless chain for small-capacity motorcycles. Yes, it stretches quickly and requires frequent lubrication. And you need to clean it often. But friction losses are very small. And if you need a stronger analogue, you can purchase the so-called. high-load chain of the same brand. Made from more durable materials, suitable for motorcycles with a volume of up to 0.65 liters.
The O-Ring type O-ring chain of the SRO series is equipped with round seals to retain lubricant and protect friction pairs from dirt. As a result, the product life is half that of sealless ones. But there is also a minus: turning the links increases friction, which reduces power. Ideal for motorcycles with a volume of 0.75 liters.
X-shaped rings in the range of this brand are available in the QX-Ring and Quadra-X chains. There are ventilation holes to keep the chains cooler. And friction is 40% less, thanks to a smaller contact surface. And the seal is better. According to test results, chains with Quadra-X can last approximately half as long as O-Ring. The branded SRX2 series is recommended for motorcycles with a volume of up to 1 liter.
This brand also has products produced using Zero Stretch technology - labeled ZST. They are guaranteed not to stretch during the first thousand kilometers. Initially they were created to preserve the length of the chain for the entire period of operation.
It is also worth mentioning a couple of classes: MVXZ2 and ZVX3 The first of them are chains for powerful “iron horses” with a volume of 1-1.4 liters, and the second are chains with record tensile strength. For example, the original version of the 520ZVX3 holds 11,100 kg per hundred links, and weighs only 2.2 kg - it can be safely installed in any motorcycle used under heavy load.
Online program for calculating the chain length when replacing motorcycle sprockets with non-standard ones.
First, how to use the program.
In the first four windows we drive in the original chain pitch, the number of teeth of the driving and driven chain, and the number of links in the original. All this information should be found in the manual for your motorcycle. For a Honda cb400 motorcycle on an NC-39 frame, the values will look like this: Original chain pitch: 525 Number of teeth for the drive sprocket: 14 Number of teeth for the driven chain: 44 Original chain length: 108
Then we drive in those values, chains and stars that are being replaced. Let's say we put a driven star on the same sibishka, which is 1 tooth larger. Then we need to enter the following values: Chain pitch (replacement): 525 Number of drive sprocket teeth (replacement): 14 Number of driven sprocket teeth (replacement): 45
We get the length of the new chain to be 109 links. This does not happen, so we round up to 110 units. We always round up to the nearest even number of chain links.
The program automatically changes the maximum speed of the motorcycle when replacing the sprockets with non-standard ones. The general rule is this: the larger the rear (driven) sprocket, the lower the maximum speed, the larger the front (drive) sprocket, the higher the maximum speed. And vice versa.
DID brand chains
This Japanese brand is considered the most popular these days. The statement is controversial, but they buy a lot of branded chains. The products fully justify the reputation of Japanese products in terms of quality and cost; the range includes options for almost any type of motorcycle. They are widely used in sports and are often included as standard equipment on conveyor models.
The original marking consists of numbers and letters and is applied to the outside of the chain. First, the pitch and width are indicated there, and then the parameters and purpose. There are almost a dozen main models: DID VX, ZVMX, ERT2, MX, VT2, 520ER3, 520ATV, VO. The first of them is designed for sports and road bikes: X-Ring oil seals, a choice of colors - black or gold. The second is considered the most durable among all the chains of this brand; it is used on road and sports motorcycles. An expensive thing, but for the sake of mileage or for a powerful car it will be just right.
The sealless ERT2 is useful for off-road use. It has high strength and reliability, and a long service life. In motocross and enduro, many riders use this chain. And if you need record strength, for motocross or motards, you should pay attention to MX. In turn, VT2 is recommended for long-distance enduro travel - it is also used on ATVs.
Those who prefer lightweight racing chains will immediately stand out from the lineup with the 520ERV3, with X-Ring oil seals. The company's assortment includes a reinforced oil seal model specifically for ATVs, with a volume of up to 0.75 l - 520ATV. And a budget option is also presented: VO, for medium-power road bikes (volume up to 0.5 l) - an O-Ring chain, steel-colored, which has proven its reliability in practice.
Suzuki SV1000S 2005 → Conversion: lightening the chain - moving from 530 to 525/520
The motor from Japan came on the 525th chain. When it suddenly died (the rust may have been without a seal), I installed my original 530 JT Z3 Heavy Duty (reinforced, with thick plates). And I immediately noticed that even the torque liter began to accelerate more stupidly, the light disappeared. Below the cut are the catalog numbers of JT sprockets on the SV1000 with sizes for 525th and 520th chains. The original size numbers for ordering look like this: drive JTF513.17RB - RB means with rubber on the drive sprocket, reduces noise, driven JTR1800.40. The number of teeth is highlighted in bold, select the required value from the available options. When reducing the thickness of the chain, you need to understand that it will serve less with equal quality - so you should choose the most durable = expensive options, for example EK lightweight ZZZ series (holes on internal and external plates) or ZVX3 (holes on internal plates), RK series GWX, Regina GPZ series, etc. Markings, dimensions and weight of chains at the end of the post.
What are SFR chains?
Chinese products, but of good quality. The assortment includes series made from Japanese components and metal, with the highest parameters. The company itself is relatively young - almost 30 years old (since 1991). Currently, over 1,200 thousand chains are produced under this brand every month: for motorcycles and elevators, timing belts, and industrial equipment. They are sold in Japan and Europe, in the USA.
Branded chains have already proven themselves to be durable and wear-resistant. All products comply with ISO standards, and each product undergoes tensile bench tests. The range includes sealed (various types) and non-sealed (solid core) versions. You can select a suitable chain according to the recommendations of the bike manufacturer and taking into account how it is used. With regular diagnostics and proper care, a chain of this brand will certainly work out its value.
Replace as a set or when worn out
- // DEAN
all three components (chain and both sprockets) must be changed at the same time. it ends up being cheaper - Usually the chain is the first to be replaced, then the front sprocket (one and a half chains) then the rear sprocket (two front ones if it is steel, at the same time as the front if it is aluminum). but it is better to change the entire set.
It is better to change the sprocket chain as a set, but, as far as I know, with live sprockets, many people change only the chain... If the sprockets are not live, then it is better not to install a new chain on them. I think there is no need to explain to anyone how the stars wear out... // 7.6.2009 Meta
When the chain is pulled, the geometry of the groove between the teeth of the sprockets also changes from round to oval. It is almost invisible to the eye. When installing a new chain on old sprockets, the pitch of the links will be forced to adjust to the size of the sprockets, that is, stretch. So you need to change everything as a kit; you won’t be able to save money. // 15.6.2009 [email protected] on R6 2002
As for how to change it, it’s clear here, everything at once. Tested by experience, you won’t be able to save money. // 19.6.2009 SEREGA
If the chain is worn out, then change the sprockets along with it, since the old ones can kill the new chain faster than expected. // 10.21.2009 STYX on YAMAHA R6 2005
Everything is simple there, if you don’t farm and install everything new, the chain won’t fail before the stars. All the main wear in this unit goes to the front sprocket; if it already has sharp, slightly bent teeth, then the kit needs to be replaced. If it’s a pity and you want to save money, you can change one front one, but keep in mind that the wear of some chain links will be very critical, it’s difficult to understand with a dressed chain, everything will become clear when you start to twist the cut chain in your hands. From experience I can say that a standard R6 kit with proper care and tension is enough for at least 25,000 km; if you replace the front sprocket with 20,000 thousand, you can drive up to 35,000 km. Everything I wrote applies to steel // 10/21/2009 borismoto on R-6 05.
- // 03/28/2010 Sergey_K
I usually change chains and sprockets on modern motorcycles after 25 and 50 tkm, respectively - I didn’t pay attention before, but when I got a new motorbike, I began to wonder what and how much of the consumables were passing through. Now I have my third new one and it has already covered 70 tkm. I replaced the sprockets at 50, along with the second chain
...the sprockets themselves wear out not from the load, but from a sagging chain that has a distance between the pins that differs from the pitch of the teeth (more precisely, the pits), for this reason, sprockets and chains are most often changed “in unison”... since the old sprockets will quickly stretch the new chain to fit their step and it will die very quickly... in principle, you can change the sprockets through two chains... or even change the driven one with every third or fourth chain, looking at the wear (put a new chain on the sprocket and you will immediately see)... but if you want to save sprockets having several chains - it’s like on bikes... three chains “in a circle”. we install new sprockets and a chain... we drive N thousand kilometers, we install a second chain... the same amount on it... then on the third... then the first one again, etc. the point is that the stars and chains will kill each other much more slowly and travel longer Why stupidly change three chains until complete slaughter.... // 04/19/2010 Metaller
And finally about Tsubaki chains
The brand is represented by the Japanese company Tsubakimoto Chain Co. of the same name. Now it is known as the largest manufacturer of transmission systems; no one else produces them on the entire planet. This is a multinational organization with offices in many countries, but all 4 factories are located in Japan. The company catalog contains chains for industrial equipment and vehicles, for a couple of dozen industries. Incl. heavy-duty, low-noise, lubrication-free, plate, steel, etc.
In the motorcycle sector, Tsubaki is also the undisputed leader. This brand has its own classification of chains: either by power reserve or by durability. For example, products of the Gamma series are designed for a mileage of 5-10 thousand km, Alpha and Omega - from 10 to 20 thousand km, Alpha XRG and Sigma must withstand 20-30 thousand km.
Really good chains don’t just become world leaders. And the company will soon celebrate its centennial anniversary. Invests heavily in improving products, increasing the life of trouble-free operation, increasing productivity, and reducing the cost of products. The company catalog presents chain drives for any technical task - you just need to choose the optimal option. Experienced users can easily navigate themselves, while consultants help those less technically savvy with their choice. It is recommended to select a chain not just for the model, remotely, but for a specific motorcycle, taking into account all the circumstances - this is how the Tsubaki branded chain drive will show itself in the most favorable light.
General information
See also Stars
See also Chain Maintenance
See also Chain Lubricator
| Stars and chains, theory and practice – FPS Racing Team: |
As far as I know, DID equips its chains with Sunstar sprockets. If the kit came with JT sprockets, then assembly was somewhere along the way. Information after communicating with the Japanese from DID at the Milan exhibition. RK has a strategic alliance with JT and DID with Sunstar.
Well, the OEM stars (original from Portumber) are very good. because only they have sound and vibration dampening inserts on the leading star. but there is a budget like three JTs. Sunstar, Rental, Vortex stars are not bad - but few people have both of them in stock in one place. and it’s better to install it back and forth from the same company - because the shape of the tooth is slightly different from different manufacturers. the chain will adapt to both sprockets and will wear out a little faster. and lastly: monitor the condition of the rubber chain guide, which is installed on the front of the rear swingarm. when it wears down to metal, it begins to sharpen the pendulum.
Each manufacturer in each chain dimension has a gradation in price/quality, so clearly state the DID of the RK forever or vice versa, it all depends on the thickness of the link plates, roller “bearings,” and the shape of the rubber rings. that DID that RK that Regina of the same price range, plus or minus the same, and then it all depends on how much you load it, how evenly, how often you lubricate it and how often you wash it, again with what.
personal experience - similar chains from different manufacturers run +/- the same, and this +/- depends only on the care of the chain and the leftness of delivery
...on the 520th chain, a racing chain - it’s ordinary, it’s not even an O-Ring and certainly not an X-Ring and others like them
I won’t say, of course, that it is disposable, but it requires special care, taking into account the fact that it does not have rubber seals
