Topic: Help me pick a chain

[Beatmalls]

Hey everyone.  Good to see you.  Hope it's going well.  It's going quite well for me, thanks for asking. 

I'm having a bit of a conundrum deciding on a new chain to buy (for my '76 CB750K). 

I've been through the FAQ and various chain-related thread searching and have been trying to get myself a chain that is both affordable and recommended, as my previous chain was from a less than reputable shop to which I will never return, and stretched out rather quickly (can't remember what kind it was or I'd be happy to bash it on the forums).  Then to make matters worse, after a couple of years of neglect, it seems to have seized up and now has tight spots.  I only realized once I'd adjusted it to proper tension and it started grinding.   The sprockets look OK still, they were replaced when I replaced the chain a few years back and don't show too much wear, so I just want to replace the chain.

I've been trying to take HondaMan's advice and go with a Diamond Powersports chain, and have found this one:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/diamond-530-chain

But I'm not sure if the XDL chain is necessary?  The "standard" doesn't say it's an O-ring chain.. so I'm not sure if that'd even be right.  I'm sure liking the price, but I'm willing to spend a few extra bucks to get the right thing.

The other one I'm looking at is this RK o-ring chain, which looks OK to me.
 https://www.denniskirk.com/rk/530-max-o-chain-530maxo-102.p110946102.prd/110946102.sku

I guess what I'm really wondering is if anyone knows how the RK O-ring chain will measure up vs the Diamond standard chain.  Beyond that, I'd like to know if the XDL is really fantastic and worth the extra $34 that it costs.  And if I'm way off and any of these is NOT right for my '76 750, please let me know that too!

That's it!  Any help is MUCH appreciated!  Thanks sohc, you are the best.

[Kevin D]

Diamond chain 104L $50 delivered to your door:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,154784.0.html

[70CB750]

I spent the money on Tsubaki Omega o-ring, put 25 000 miles on it and I am sure it has at least 25 000 miles left on it - that was for Dorothy, with new sprockets.

Now for Red i am reusing sprockets that came with the engine and wheel - I cheaped out and got a D.I.D simple (non o-ring) chain.  I will go o-ring on Red when I need new sprockets.

[evanphi]

Buy the standard Diamond. Same one I bought. We don't need no stinkin' o-rings!

[grcamna2]

I spent the money on Tsubaki Omega o-ring, put 25 000 miles on it and I am sure it has at least 25 000 miles left on it - that was for Dorothy, with new sprockets.

Now for Red i am reusing sprockets that came with the engine and wheel - I cheaped out and got a D.I.D simple (non o-ring) chain.  I will go o-ring on Red when I need new sprockets.

Prokop, How has the clearance been w/ the o-ring chain? you have offset sprockets ?

[70CB750]

CB750 takes o-ring chains, no problem.  CB500 or 550 has a clearance issue.

[grcamna2]

CB750 takes o-ring chains, no problem.  CB500 or 550 has a clearance issue.

I never tried a 530 o-ring chain on a CB350/400F,what about them ?

[Beatmalls]

Buy the standard Diamond. Same one I bought. We don't need no stinkin' o-rings!

I feel good about this vote of confidence for the standard chain... though I'll need to keep more on top of maintenance with a non-o-ring chain, yes?  Seems a no brainer but often I seem like a no-brainer myself.  Idiot proof might be worthwhile for me.. Mith my track record/memory, it might save me more than 34 bucks in the long run if I got one that took less maintenance (as I'd expect with the X ring).

I seem to go in phases of "all over the bike every night", to, "sits untouched for ages".  I am using it to commute these days though so it might not be a problem.

Thanks everyone for the replies btw!

[evanphi]

You still need to maintain an o-ring chain, if you decide to get it.

[70CB750]

No idea, sorry, maybe going to 520 or other modern strong and thin chain?

CB750 takes o-ring chains, no problem.  CB500 or 550 has a clearance issue.

I never tried a 530 o-ring chain on a CB350/400F,what about them ?

[PeWe]

530 o/x-ring chain with clip!  100 links  for 18:48 sprocket.
I used clip chains back in the days without any problems related to the cllip.

I have riveted chain that is a real PITA. I did not found a good 530 chain with clips when I needed one. Found a really strong chain with solid master link for a good price. The riveting tool the chain needed costed as than the chain or even more when I bought a complete kit, WALE cutter and riveter for both solid and hollow links. Hollow link is much easier and a real chep tool can win the battle over the chain. A cheap tool broke when I tried to rivet the solid link..