Topic: 550/4 CHAIN REPLACEMENT CAUTIONS

[Deltarider]

Still I wonder... I suppose there are differences in width... CMSNL sells these Tsubaki kits for both the CB500 as CB550. https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500k2-four-1973-usa_model461/chain-sprocket-kit-non_ho362/

[dave500]

just use heavy duty non o ring,o ring is over rated anyway,unless you ride dirt bikes,road bike chains aint gonna get swamped in #$%* like a dirt bike,i don't see the point in o ring on road bikes?i rode dirt for years and ran o ring chains all the time,x ring etc is just bull#$%*,dirts get in everything,get a shaft drive bike if chain tending is to laborious for you.

[Deltarider]

I tend to agree, Dave. I had an O-ring chain decades ago, but wasn't impressed. A dealer/mechanic (and dirtrider) was honest enough to tell me that in pouring rain an O-ring chain has the same problems as a standard chain. So far I had best results with the Tsubaki QR chain (with cliplink). I regret buying the standard DID that's on now and has been about the poorest performing chain as far as adjusting. My supplier used to have Tsubaki but now has DID. I fear because customers insist to have it as 'original' as possible, so a chain with the DID logo.

[dave500]

ek or rk or what ever are fine,these engines cant pop wheelies at will?i run the cheap ones forever,i thrash the #$%* outta mine,ya gotta keep em lubed,i think o ring on a dirt bike is over kill,and probably a load of #$%* on road bikes aswell,just good marketing?the oring and pins aint exactly a precision seal?i call foul on o or x ring chains,just keep your plain one lubed,everyone with an o ring type does anyway?more saving the o rings than lubing the chain?plain heavy duty chains are fine!dont forget an o ring chain is no stronger!

[Deltarider]

good marketing

Good marketing begins with telling you there is a problem (and that their product can solve this). Also an O-ring has to run perfectly straight to keep the seals in good order. 

[754]

Give me a Tsubaki QR  with sliding clip any day..

[Deltarider]

Yeah... O-ring is for sissies.

[seanbarney41]

Meh, boring chains are way better, 500/550s are for sissies

I don't really think that lol

[Bob3050]

On the 500 the original Honda sprocket is shouldered on both sides. Have one side milled or ground flat and use the stock two bolt retainer on the now flat side to draw the sprocket away from the cases. Do not use a spring clip style retainer This provides enough clearance for the 530 "o" ring chain. I have done this on my 500 and I am on my second "o" ring chain in 20,000 miles.
Bob

[754]

 Are you sure about that mileage?
 I used to run Tsubaki QR, run the crap out of the bike, lots of wheel lifting and lighting up the 16 inch wheel..
But take care of my chain.. and still get 18, 000 miles while using up 3   16 inch tires..

[bryanj]

Been a long time since I did a 550 but i thought that the gearbox pump fed oil to both shaft at a pressure, albeit a very low one

[calj737]

I have done this on my 500 and I am on my second "o" ring chain in 20,000 miles.
Bob

Are you sure about that mileage?
 I used to run Tsubaki QR, run the crap out of the bike, lots of wheel lifting and lighting up the 16 inch wheel..
But take care of my chain.. and still get 18, 000 miles while using up 3   16 inch tires..

I could see the 500 easily getting a much longer life that your 750 with a 16" due largely in part to the burden of turning that tractor tire versus a bicycle meat. You also have to consider riding behavior, HP, and rider weight.

[754]

 His does have a turbo, but I am guessing no chain maintainence  on those chains.
 I get way better on non o ring, but I spend time on them..
 Inthink in a way it's like horses  you have to take care of them post ride.... or get someone to do it.
But spending that time together just increases the bond.   Chain care just part of the deal for me.

[seanbarney41]

The thing about o-ring chains...is you really want to just keep them clean.  Don't lube them until they start to get crunchy.  Every time you lube them, you are destroying a bit more of the sealed in grease.  You gotta know when to leave an o-ring chain well enough alone!  I get 12-18000 miles out of an o-ring chain this way.  Last standard chain was used because I couldn't get an o-ring chain in time, before a long trip.  The chain lasted 1500 miles, the length of this trip.  It is now totally knackered!  I had to clean, lube, and adjust about every 4 hours of ride time...totally unacceptable for me

Frank, you have apparently developed a chain maintenance regimen that is extremely effective.  How about sharing what it is?

[754]

 Gear lube, sometimes several times a day. As soon as you get out of a rain.
 I bought a sub 20 chain in 07, probably got at least 4 or 5 k out of it.
 When you first put it on, how much it stretches first day tells you a lot.
A Tsubaki QR is prestretched, most good chains are, install it lube it ride it, no immediate sdjustment.

 It is a bit of work, choose to do it or not, my buddy got 40,000 miles out of a Diamond. Not sure if it was XDL but Hondaman  get very long life out of the  too.

[seanbarney41]

pre-stretched?  Chains don't actually stretch.  That is actual material disappearing from pins, rollers, and sideplates adding up to extra length.  Does gear lube fling off and make a big mess?  Seems like standard chain brand makes a big difference.  The standard chain that died in 1500 miles was DID.  I get good mileage from whatever brand o-ring chains are cheap and available.  I have mostly used Parts Unlimited.  No idea who the actual manufacturer is.

[754]

In Tsubakis own words, it on the package m
 QR chains are pre stressed  and pre stretched to prevent immediate wear.

All lube can be messy if applied wrong, you need an applicator, and figure how much to put on each time.  We would spin the wheel and apply a thin stream of oil onto the sideplates, both sides.
 I used to go 1000 to 1500  miles  before it got real dirty. .