Topic: I need a new chain, Any recommendations..?

[dergs713]

Building up a 1975 cb550, The chain is shot and I've heard horror stories about broken gear boxes and close calls with crappy chains.... So some suggestions, "tried and trues," or anything would help.  Dot really necessarily need the "Bling", just something that will be reliable.
Matt

[Greggo]

Go with a good, 530 NON O RING (preferably pre stretched) chain and you'll be good to go.  You can find ones on ebay for $30-40, and if you maintain it properly it will last many miles.  I have a Tsbuaki on my CA95 and 500, and I just picked up a Parts Unlimited chain for the 750.

[HondaMan]

IMHO, the finest chain there is for the SOHC4 bikes is the Diamond Powersport 530, aka Diamond "XDL" chain (at Harley shops). It is a non-O-ring chain with the hardest rollers and pins made, with more clearance between them and their shot-peened sideplates than any other made (it's their patent), which wicks out dirt and wicks in oil while riding.

I buy them at Kaman Bearing or Kaman Industrial online, gets me factory-like pricing without the bike shop markup. Around $50. The last one on my 750 went 40,000 miles (really!) before it was stretched 2%, which is my personal wear limit tolerance.

[Vbled1]

I use EK o-ring chains on all my bikes and have never had a problem. I like the rivet master links too. Besides the gold and chrome, the colored ones look cheap.

[Danno]

like mark said the best chain I have ever used on my 550 is the diamond chain and I have destroyed many of the other brands

[Dimitri13]

So, why use non o-ring chains on our bikes?

[Markcb750]

+1 on the Diamond chain.  for a few bucks more you can get a nickle plated 530 chain from Diamond which looks nice & shiny.

[dhall57]

I went with Hondamans advice several years ago and got a # 530 non o ring Diamond Chain. This is what I run on my 750K6 Runs very quite, no problems what so ever

[WarwickE36]

So, why use non o-ring chains on our bikes?

Because the clearance between the chain and motor case is too narrow to accept a wider o-ring chain.  It will wear through the case pretty quickly.

[Greggo]

So, why use non o-ring chains on our bikes?

Because the clearance between the chain and motor case is too narrow to accept a wider o-ring chain.  It will wear through the case pretty quickly.

Just want to point out that this is for 500/550's, O Ring chains work fine on 750's.

[fishslayeryo]

So, why use non o-ring chains on our bikes?

From what I read in Mark's(HondaMan's) book, you lose power with o-rings chains. Non-o-ring chains lose less power...

[dergs713]

Ok so I'm all good w a dimond 530, for my 550..?  I see you guys talking about them on 750's, I'm not goin to have any problem right. They run the same chain? Also do they come w a master link, or will I need to pean over the pins. Thanks for the help guys
Matt

[Ernest T]

does this advice apply to 400s too?

[Tanqueracer]

I put an x-ring 530 chain (new stock toothed sprokets as well) on my 750SS today and am extremely pleased. A major difference from the non-o ring type original chain. Seems to be less shock than with the standard chain when shifting/accelerating. The bike doesn't seem any slower than before. I'm liking it a lot so far.

[HondaMan]

Ok so I'm all good w a dimond 530, for my 550..?  I see you guys talking about them on 750's, I'm not goin to have any problem right. They run the same chain? Also do they come w a master link, or will I need to pean over the pins. Thanks for the help guys
Matt

Check with the vendor when buying the Diamond chains. Some supply the master link, some don't. I've been caught off guard a time or two this way. The "real" Powersport master link has a clip that closes completely and is a bit tough to get off once on, but can be done with a small flat blade screwdriver and needlenose pliers. Diamond's other masterlinks also fit, but be sure to get a Diamond master link for it.