Author Topic: My chain lost an O-Ring... (Read 8588 times)

BMW-K · « **on:** November 20, 2013, 06:26:23 PM »

Or maybe it's an X-Ring rubber washer? Meh, whatever...

So, I noticed that my chain was a bit saggy and thought about doing a bit of maintenance on it. Careful inspection has shown a few tight spots...and a few loose spots...and...a link with a missing O-Ring.

Now I'm used to a shaft drive bike so this is all just a bit new to me. Given the missing O-Ring I figure I should either replace the link or just replace the whole chain/sprockets. I have 14k on it...

Thoughts? I haven't dealt with the missing O-Ring thing before.

kneescrubber · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2013, 06:40:43 PM »

Which bike are you talking about?

The x,o,z ring keep the grit and moisture out of the real area of vulnerability, the enclosed & greased link shaft. Given the fact that you're already experiencing some tightness, and by that I mean a/some link(s) that won't extend out, I'd say that replacing chain and sprockets are in order.

You could continue; it won't break, but it's going to eat up a lot of other more expensive parts. And make a hell of a lot of racket.

M.Brane · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2013, 08:08:23 PM »

14K is not usual for a cheap chain that's been ridden hard. If the seals are starting to go the rest can't be far behind.

Interestingly I've got a set on order for the VFR. Over 35K on this DID, and Superlite set. I have never sprayed anything on it except DuPont Teflon lube. I wipe the dirt off occasionally. It has a few stiff links, but they still move. All the X-rings are still present.

Don't know who Ducati's chain supplier is, but it looks like you could upgrade. Could have to do with the size too. 530 on the VFR which is overkill for a 100HP bike, but it sure does last.

BMW-K · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2013, 08:38:41 PM »

Regina 525 chain.

Yeah, I have a fresh set of sprockets 14/39 and a DID super street chain ready to go. I'd sure like to think I could get 30k out of a set…strangely, the sprockets actually do look good. I'll change it all as a set, but I might save the sprockets for decoration or emergencies.

M.Brane · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2013, 08:44:56 PM »

525 on the ST4 as well. She has a fresh DID though this seems to be a bad time for Superlite sprockets. Both the ST4, and my VFR are getting other rears due to the Superlites being out of stock. We'll see how they hold up. Never had sprockets die before a chain though.

BMW-K · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2013, 09:55:35 PM »

Quote from: kneescrubber on November 20, 2013, 06:40:43 PM

Which bike are you talking about?

Forgot to mention, the Monster.

Veefer800canuck · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2013, 06:51:00 AM »

If it's got loose and tight spots, it sounds like it's getting ready for the bin.

bomber · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:09:58 AM »

Quote from: Veefer800canuck on November 21, 2013, 06:51:00 AM

If it's got loose and tight spots, it sounds like it's getting ready for the bin.

^That up there . . . .the loss of a ring (as others have said) isn't a killer, but tight spots . . .. it's done.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:12:23 AM »

Do the sprockets still look good when you look at them on top of a new sprocket? A lot of times they look OK until you see then against an unmolested set, then you can really see the wear.

chornbe · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:18:30 AM »

Quote from: Cablebandit on November 21, 2013, 08:12:23 AM

Do the sprockets still look good when you look at them on top of a new sprocket? A lot of times they look OK until you see then against an unmolested set, then you can really see the wear.

+1 Often the wear is visually slight but mechanically significant.

Cheap insurance to do the whole set.

Black Hills · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM »

I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

Squareman357 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM »

Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM

I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

chornbe · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2013, 09:13:29 AM »

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM

Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM
I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

Well, to be fair, you should try riding something that actually puts out power.

Squareman357 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2013, 12:23:12 PM »

Quote from: chornbe on November 21, 2013, 09:13:29 AM

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM
I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

Well, to be fair, you should try riding something that actually puts out power.

LOL I was thinking of upgrading...to the 2014 ZX-14...

BMW-K · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2013, 01:03:12 PM »

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 12:23:12 PM

Quote from: chornbe on November 21, 2013, 09:13:29 AM
Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM
I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

Well, to be fair, you should try riding something that actually puts out power.

LOL I was thinking of upgrading...to the 2014 ZX-14...

Turbo Nitrous kit with a Chrome'd out extended swingarm?

Squareman357 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2013, 01:08:19 PM »

Quote from: BMW-K on November 21, 2013, 01:03:12 PM

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 12:23:12 PM
Quote from: chornbe on November 21, 2013, 09:13:29 AM
Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM
I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

Well, to be fair, you should try riding something that actually puts out power.

LOL I was thinking of upgrading...to the 2014 ZX-14...

Turbo Nitrous kit with a Chrome'd out extended swingarm?

Noooo....I like corners. I believe there is a such thing as "fast enough".

BMW-K · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2013, 01:28:06 PM »

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 01:08:19 PM

Quote from: BMW-K on November 21, 2013, 01:03:12 PM
Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 12:23:12 PM
Quote from: chornbe on November 21, 2013, 09:13:29 AM
Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 08:57:05 AM
Quote from: Black Hills on November 21, 2013, 08:32:37 AM
I'd be happy getting 14k out of chain/sprockets

I ride my bike hard, accelerate hard, brake hard, and I still manage to get 20K out of a chain and sprocket set. It's the heaviest, a 530, but the bike is putting a lot of power through it too.

Well, to be fair, you should try riding something that actually puts out power.

LOL I was thinking of upgrading...to the 2014 ZX-14...

Turbo Nitrous kit with a Chrome'd out extended swingarm?

Noooo....I like corners. I believe there is a such thing as "fast enough".

Mac · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2013, 10:57:44 PM »

Quote from: Squareman357 on November 21, 2013, 01:08:19 PM

I believe there is a such thing as "fast enough".

Yeah, I think Einstein said something about that once.

Dewey · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2013, 10:06:23 PM »

Saggy, tight spots, loose spots, seals falling out, 14K miles, and you have to post on a forum and ask strangers (who have not actually seen it) if the chain and sprockets should be replaced? Seriously?

BMW-K · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2013, 11:18:25 PM »

Quote from: Dewey on November 22, 2013, 10:06:23 PM

Saggy, tight spots, loose spots, seals falling out, 14K miles, and you have to post on a forum and ask strangers (who have not actually seen it) if the chain and sprockets should be replaced? Seriously?

HOOOOOKUUUPPP!!!!!

Seriously though. I've put over 125k on shaft drive bikes. I am actually surprised a chain wore out in only 14k miles. As to strangers? Nahhh, I think I know most of these STOners pretty well.

M.Brane · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2013, 11:47:06 PM »

Quote from: BMW-K on November 22, 2013, 11:18:25 PM

Quote from: Dewey on November 22, 2013, 10:06:23 PM
Saggy, tight spots, loose spots, seals falling out, 14K miles, and you have to post on a forum and ask strangers (who have not actually seen it) if the chain and sprockets should be replaced? Seriously?

HOOOOOKUUUPPP!!!!!

Seriously though. I've put over 125k on shaft drive bikes. I am actually surprised a chain wore out in only 14k miles. As to strangers? Nahhh, I think I know most of these STOners pretty well.

Some of us have actually seen, and put a few miles on said chain as well.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #21 on:** November 23, 2013, 07:04:35 AM »

If you can't trust people on the Internet, who can you trust?

Cookie · « **Reply #22 on:** November 23, 2013, 09:10:20 AM »

Quote from: Cablebandit on November 23, 2013, 07:04:35 AM

If you can't trust people on the Internet, who can you trust?

Bonjour.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 23, 2013, 09:13:44 AM »

Quote from: Cablebandit on November 23, 2013, 07:04:35 AM

If you can't trust people on the Internet, who can you trust?

Goats

viffergyrl · « **Reply #24 on:** November 23, 2013, 10:11:46 AM »

Quote from: M.Brane on November 22, 2013, 11:47:06 PM

Quote from: BMW-K on November 22, 2013, 11:18:25 PM
Quote from: Dewey on November 22, 2013, 10:06:23 PM
Saggy, tight spots, loose spots, seals falling out, 14K miles, and you have to post on a forum and ask strangers (who have not actually seen it) if the chain and sprockets should be replaced? Seriously?

HOOOOOKUUUPPP!!!!!

Seriously though. I've put over 125k on shaft drive bikes. I am actually surprised a chain wore out in only 14k miles. As to strangers? Nahhh, I think I know most of these STOners pretty well.

Some of us have actually seen, and put a few miles on said chain as well.

BMW-K · « **Reply #25 on:** November 25, 2013, 12:35:06 AM »

Well, the job is done. New DID SuperStreet Gold 525 chain, 14/39 super light sprockets (blackened) on a new quick change rear carrier. And for effect, a bling-tastic black-out rear sprocket cover and nuts.

I love the spec'ed 186 newtons of force on the front sprocket.

Had to use a double length breaker bar on that one…

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

Still, it's done…which means I'm good to go for the next couple years (*I hope!)

viffergyrl · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2013, 08:40:56 AM »

Now you have to remember to lube the chain.