Author Topic: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?  (Read 1547 times)

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Offline YogiBear

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What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« on: February 26, 2016, 02:22:21 PM »
Hi all, I am curious what everybody's preference is on o ring or x ring chains. I have had a DID o ring chain on my cb750 for the last 5 years and have been satisfied with how well it held up. (I did see the sticky here recommending ek or rk chains) But, I posted this thread to see what members have been using on their bikes and what they think of them?

1974 Honda CB750K4        1973 Honda CB500 Four

Offline 700504

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2016, 11:40:03 AM »
I've have bad luck with both x-ring and oring chains for some reason. I live in Washington and ride a bit in wet conditions which might attribute to the short life spans of both. Recently had an o-ring chain have 3 links get sticky after about 6 months causing a wub wub wub noise which resonated with my engine rpms while riding. It was maddening trying to figure out what was causing the noise, then I took the chain off and found the stuck links. I went to a standard DID non o-ring chain and I lube it about eveything 5 rides or so and haven't had an issue with it since.
1978 cb750k
1977 cb750f2
1974 cb750k
1973 cb750k
1981 cb650 (rip)
1969 ct90

Offline YogiBear

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2016, 12:29:52 PM »
There's a synthetic chain lube I use. It really sticks to the chain and might help you on those damp days riding. Let me see if I can find a pic.

1974 Honda CB750K4        1973 Honda CB500 Four

Offline PeWe

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2016, 12:39:40 PM »
Motorex chain lube is OK. I got mine from David Silver.
http://www.revzilla.com/product/motorex-road-chain-lube

Rain and wet roads will kill the chain if not frequently lubed.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline flatlander

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2016, 01:37:33 PM »
i use a 530 no-ring chain (a.k.a standard chain). and the motorex stuff that pewe mentioned.
there's no other choice for my 550 apart from a 520 conversion which i don't want to bother with.

Offline 700504

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2016, 10:45:53 AM »
Thanks for the recommended lube
1978 cb750k
1977 cb750f2
1974 cb750k
1973 cb750k
1981 cb650 (rip)
1969 ct90

Offline flybox1

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #6 on: February 29, 2016, 11:05:33 AM »
I like my EK HD 530 chain(non-O/X-ring)
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline YogiBear

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #7 on: February 29, 2016, 11:37:11 AM »
I like my EK HD 530 chain(non-O/X-ring)

How long have you had it?

1974 Honda CB750K4        1973 Honda CB500 Four

Offline flybox1

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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #9 on: February 29, 2016, 01:19:42 PM »
I like my EK HD 530 chain(non-O/X-ring)

How long have you had it?
2 seasons on new sprockets. 
Kerosene rag cleaned, and lubed regularly. 

http://www.motomonster.com/shopping/item/747536?gclid=CjwKEAiA9c-2BRC_vaaJ0Ybps30SJABlqxDelz5ywJEXsvB0igWbWjTwn4noLT7AJjo7qUj6EO6fmhoCKVjw_wcB
curious about how many miles a season you do and how often you ride
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline flybox1

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #10 on: February 29, 2016, 01:50:37 PM »
Not much.  My commute is short  ;D
I'm guessing between 3500-4000 miles total on this chain.
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline YogiBear

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #11 on: February 29, 2016, 08:55:18 PM »
I've have bad luck with both x-ring and oring chains for some reason. I live in Washington and ride a bit in wet conditions which might attribute to the short life spans of both. Recently had an o-ring chain have 3 links get sticky after about 6 months causing a wub wub wub noise which resonated with my engine rpms while riding. It was maddening trying to figure out what was causing the noise, then I took the chain off and found the stuck links. I went to a standard DID non o-ring chain and I lube it about eveything 5 rides or so and haven't had an issue with it since.

Here is the chain lube I use. It's called Bel Ray. I've had the same can for a long time. It has really done well as far as lubrication and not flinging off the chain goes.



1974 Honda CB750K4        1973 Honda CB500 Four

Offline Davidov

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Re: What's your preferred O-ring/X-ring Chain?
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2016, 09:26:47 AM »
DID Non-O-ring chain
-David