Topic: o-ring chain maint.

[Blaize]

So I just bought my first "real" chain. Up to this point I had always bought cheap #$%* chains as I was poor and usually sold the bike on before it would wear out (though I did go thru one in about a month once, a little too cheap that time) anyway I just got the whiz bang top of the range RK x-ring from Z1 ent. I know it is overkill, but I just feel good having a really nice one. Now my questions are as follows-

 Should I make an effort to remove all of the anti rust lube they leave on it in the box? wont it just attract dirt? If it should be removed, with what? I used mineral spirits on a rag (and very little of it) to clean the sides of the chain so it looked nice (yes, I am a tool) should I wipe it all off this way?

 And once it is worn in, how do I take care of it? I can remember with my old cheap chains lubing them avery 2 weeks or so (daily ridden bikes) and adjusting every other time. I hear O-ring chains need less maint. How much less? Do I still lube it? I know they sell O-ring specific lube and I have a tin of it but is it just because people think they need to lube it or does it actually need it?

 I know these are real newbie questiuons but it has taken me ten years of riding to finnaly step up and spend real money on somthing as mundane as a chain so I am really wondering how to take care of it properly. thanks for any advise

[johnny-from-bel]

So I just bought my first "real" chain. Up to this point I had always bought cheap #$%* chains as I was poor and usually sold the bike on before it would wear out (though I did go thru one in about a month once, a little too cheap that time) anyway I just got the whiz bang top of the range RK x-ring from Z1 ent. I know it is overkill, but I just feel good having a really nice one. Now my questions are as follows-

Congrats on your first real chain

Should I make an effort to remove all of the anti rust lube they leave on it in the box? wont it just attract dirt? If it should be removed, with what? I used mineral spirits on a rag (and very little of it) to clean the sides of the chain so it looked nice (yes, I am a tool) should I wipe it all off this way?

You can clean the sides of the chain if you like. I use diesel-fuel for that.

And once it is worn in, how do I take care of it? I can remember with my old cheap chains lubing them avery 2 weeks or so (daily ridden bikes) and adjusting every other time. I hear O-ring chains need less maint. How much less? Do I still lube it? I know they sell O-ring specific lube and I have a tin of it but is it just because people think they need to lube it or does it actually need it?

The o-rings only keep the link connection rods lube in. The part where the chain comes into contact with the sprocket still needs to be lubed from time to time. I use a spraycan of white grease that I apply every time I fill up (about 200KMS). I am a moderate rider my chains last about 30,000 KMS

 I know these are real newbie questiuons but it has taken me ten years of riding to finnaly step up and spend real money on somthing as mundane as a chain so I am really wondering how to take care of it properly. thanks for any advise

You have to be a newbie before you can become an expert. I allways find myself somewhere in between.

[TwoTired]

You might check with the chain manufacturer to find what solvents are approved for use with their rubber rings.  Would be a pity to find out the solvent you are using attacks the rubber bits in the chain.

Didn't some info come in the box with your chain?  Maybe a web pointer?

Cheers,

[nteek754]

hey all this isnt rocket science leave that coat of what ever on it it will wear off then use (correctly) proper chain lube  PJ 1  rev tech  there are all kinds of  good stuff out there put it on  right after a ride  when the chain is warm and let it sit so it will soak in and stick to the chain have fun seven fifty four  Craig in Maine

[nickjtc]

I sold my VFR with almost 90,000km on it. It still had the original chain and sprockets. You know why...

[Gordon]

I sold my VFR with almost 90,000km on it. It still had the original chain and sprockets. You know why...

Enough with the suspense, Nick!  Tell us why!

[nickjtc]

I sold my VFR with almost 90,000km on it. It still had the original chain and sprockets. You know why...

Enough with the suspense, Nick!  Tell us why!

http://www.scottoiler.com/

[TwoTired]

I sold my VFR with almost 90,000km on it. It still had the original chain and sprockets. You know why...

Enough with the suspense, Nick!  Tell us why!

http://www.scottoiler.com/

...And 15 rolls of paper towels?

 

[mrbreeze]

You don't mention what bike this is on. There is very little clearence on some of our bikes to run an Oring chain.You might want to pull your front sprocket cover and see how close that beautiful new chain is riding to your engine case. I don't think you will be very happy to discover that the chain is sawing into your engine. Hope it works out OK for you.

[Blaize]

Funny thing regarding using one of these actually. I read all about the clearance issue after I ordered it and was getting pretty nervous about it but once it cam in and I started to install it I cleaned off a peice of the old one and found that it was the exact same model. RK o ring. so no worries there. The old one is dirty but I may end up hanging on to it. it really isn't any stiffer than the new one so I may not have actually needed to change it in the first place. The bike is a 74 cb750k, by the way.

 So the impression I am getting here is that it is really the same maint as a non oring el cheapo you just do it a little less often right?