Topic: 1977 CB550K Chain?

[Maraakate]

Hi all,

It's about time to replace the chain on my 77 CB550K.  According to the microfiche it looks to be a 100 link chain.  Is this correct?  I also believe it's supposed to be a 530.  I already know about not using O-ring and X-ring chains on this bike, which is fine by me.

I called my local Honda dealer and they said they were able to order a 106 link D.I.D. 530 chain, but the price was ~$110 (!).  This doesn't sound right to me.  Normally, I'm all for supporting the local shops, but this is almost 4 times the price.  It looks like this would work: https://www.amazon.com/530-100-Standard-Chain-Connecting-Link/dp/B006O84RFG -- what do you guys think?

[FourUsTry]

Yes, 100 links is correct with standard sprocket sizes. Typically I think you should change sprockets either with every new chain or every other so check your sprocket wear so you don't just wear out the new chain quickly.

You can get a 100 link 530 chain from a few places so you don't need a chain tool to remove links, for example:
https://www.common-motor.com/honda-cb-cl-cj-sl-cb350-cb360-cb450-drive-chain
https://4into1.com/d-i-d-standard-motorcycle-chain-530-100-links/

I went with Hondaman's suggestion and got a Diamond XDL chain and so far it is not showing any wear or need of adjustment:
https://www.denniskirk.com/diamond-chain-company/xdl-drive-chain.pH11225102.prd/H11225102.sku
but this is $$ and requires link removal since they don't sell a 100 link chain.

[Deltarider]

https://4into1.com/d-i-d-standard-motorcycle-chain-530-100-links/

This chain is currently on mine and it's the worst I ever had. I have to adjust every few rides. The one I liked best was the prestretched Tsubaki QR 530.

[Maraakate]

Sprocket wear on the bike is OK.  I keep my chains very well oiled with 90W gear oil.  Yeah, it flings a little on the rear, but who cares.  Gear oil is cheap and plentiful.

Are the DID chains really that bad?  I have noticed when I put one on my 400 years ago it did stretch after a couple hundred miles and needed some readjusting but after that it seemed to wear normally.

I ended up finding another local shop that had the DID 100L 530 chain in stock at a reasonable price.  I'm going to pick it up in an hour.

When the day comes I suppose I can try the Diamond XDL chain.  Can this be lubricated with gear oil?  I prefer chains that work well with the gear oil, again because it's easy to find and seems to work very well for everything I use it on.

[Maraakate]

Update to this, went on 500 mile round trip with the cheap DID chain.  I put the chain on about a month ago, and yes I did have to readjust after the first 50-100 miles or so.  I probably put about another 250 miles on it before I left on this trip.  I readjusted the slack one final time.  The chain hasn't needed adjusting before or after the trip.  I've ran into this before with those DID chains on my CM400 and I just figured it's kind of the nature of the beast when they are new that they will need readjusting two or three times for couple hundred miles.  This is assuming the sprockets are still in good shape, which mine were.

[seanbarney41]

good to hear  last non o-ring d.i.d. chain I used lasted less than 2000 miles.  But it was on a 100hp, 550lb bike with worst case scenario as far as weather(it rained), sand(lots of it in Michigan's upper peninsula) and choice of chain lube (this stuff sucked)

[bryanj]

DID do both standard and HD chain in 530. HD is great for these bikes and lasts longer