Topic: So my chain is stretched ....

[iron_worker]

To prove that I am shopping around ...

Does this look any good to you? Or too cheap to be good?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-750-1973-1974-O-Ring-Chain-and-Sprocket-Set-CB750-/120911891035?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c26e90a5b&vxp=mtr#ht_808wt_906

I also found pretty cheap 530 chain on amazon that I could order. 530x100 links for ~$50.

[TwoTired]

Why can't they state the brand or manufacturer of the parts?

Even if it IS "Bubba's quality Machining from Timbuktu".

Sometimes "cheap" really lives up to it's description.

[iron_worker]

Ya I wish they would at least list tensile stength of the chain.

IW

[MCRider]

Ya I wish they would at least list tensile stength of the chain.

IW

You'll need more clarity than that. The rr sprckt in the picture has 6 holes. Yours has but 4.

[iron_worker]

Ah well they have their sprocket kits listed for several bikes all using the same picture so hopefully they would actually ship the right one. lol

Oh and I tried the old "take up the slack in the chain and try to lift a link off the sprocket" check last night ... welp, she's F'ed. I don't know how it got so bad so quick! Last season I tensioned it and it seemed in ok shape for being an old chain. I dunno. Anyway, I'm buying a chain today. Not sure which one yet.

IW

[MCRider]

Ah well they have their sprocket kits listed for several bikes all using the same picture so hopefully they would actually ship the right one. lol

Oh and I tried the old "take up the slack in the chain and try to lift a link off the sprocket" check last night ... welp, she's F'ed. I don't know how it got so bad so quick! Last season I tensioned it and it seemed in ok shape for being an old chain. I dunno. Anyway, I'm buying a chain today. Not sure which one yet.

IW

Yeah, after posting I got to thinking it might just be a generic picture. Of course you'll find out.

That chain test tells the story pretty quick. If its really an age old chain, the pins can rust and corrode internally. Then when you run it they act like little files on the insides of the bushing they ride in and you have accelerated wear, which is unavoidable, nothing you could have done about it.

An ORing chain, since it is sealed, the pins will not corrode (as fast) and it can sit longer without attention.
(These are my opinions. I have no absolute proof this is what's happening, but I have reasoned so.)

Do the test again with your new chain to get the perspective of what it should look like.

[TrueSpin]

I bought my chain/sprockets on eBay last summer, JT 17-48 and a 102link EK 530 O-ring chain. 2-3k miles later and zero measurable wear.
Once a month or so I will put the bike on the center stand and let it idle in 1st, just hold an old toothbrush against the chain in strategic places and let the bike do the work... afterwards, a quick rinse in O-ring safe clear chain lube and she's good to go.

[iron_worker]

Letting the bike idle in first while using the brush is a good idea. I'll have to give that a whirl on my next chain ... ha

IW

[Duke McDukiedook]

All it takes though is a loose cuff or a moment of inattention to get caught in the chain.
There is a horror story or two of people that did the same thing when cleaning or lubing their chain while running on here.
Use extreme caution if this is your chain cleaning/lubing method we don't want to see any mangled hands anytime soon.

[MCRider]

All it takes though is a loose cuff or a moment of inattention to get caught in the chain.
There is a horror story or two of people that did the same thing when cleaning or lubing their chain while running on here.
Use extreme caution if this is your chain cleaning/lubing method we don't want to see any mangled hands anytime soon.

Yeah I didn't want to say anything, but...
In gear, that is a mashing machine that won't hesitate to take a finger(s) off. Even in neutral, the tire will spin from internal friction and do serious damage.

Be careful.

[iron_worker]

Noted.

Safety first!

IW

[DJ_AX]

All it takes though is a loose cuff or a moment of inattention to get caught in the chain.
There is a horror story or two of people that did the same thing when cleaning or lubing their chain while running on here.
Use extreme caution if this is your chain cleaning/lubing method we don't want to see any mangled hands anytime soon.

Yes... easily enough power to quickly lob off a finger or four... very dangerous!

Fingers are valuable! 

[TrueSpin]

All it takes though is a loose cuff or a moment of inattention to get caught in the chain.
There is a horror story or two of people that did the same thing when cleaning or lubing their chain while running on here.
Use extreme caution if this is your chain cleaning/lubing method we don't want to see any mangled hands anytime soon.

Yes... easily enough power to quickly lob off a finger or four... very dangerous!

Fingers are valuable! 

That's a good point. I hadn't really thought of it that way. I tend to stay on the rear side of the sprocket, and keep my hands far clear of the moving bits. The worst danger I'm in is cleaning the inside edge of the chain, the part that contacts the sprocket... usually do it just forward of the rear sprocket, just enough of a grip to hold the brush in place. May have to rethink this method now that the concern is in my head.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I bought an "inexpensive" chain once when economically necessary so I could still ride. I was riding but I had to continually adjust the chain due to stretch. Damn near every time I rode. That's what you get for checking them  I do not take it easy on chains but that was no excuse, puny chain is the reason. That one eventually broke on me at an opportune time. Riding easy and slow and in front of a friend's house. A good chain is a good investment. They won't need adjusting much and won't break. Spend the dough, you'll be glad you did! Or buy cheap and learn your lesson that way.

[iron_worker]

Well here is what I'm getting from Bike Bandit:

JT Sprockets Steel Sprocket  18T - $21.59

JT Sprockets Steel Sprocket 48T - $36.61

BikeMaster 530 O-Ring Motorcycle Chain (100 link -  9,100lb tensile strength) - $77.42



... Plus I ordered a tach cable for my cousin's 500. 

I'm gone all next week so hopefully it's here by the time I'm back and I can ride off into the sunset valiantly. lol

Thanks everyone for the help/advice/lessons,

IW