Topic: O-Ring Chain

[Bob Wessner]

Getting ready to install my first O-Ring chain. It's packaged covered with a very heavy, thick white gease/waxy substance. Is this just a shipping preservative? It seems heavy enough to pick-up and hold everything from large rocks to small cars. Should this be cleaned off before installing, if so, with what? No instructions in the box indicating anything. Thanks.

[Ibsen]

The white grease can safely be kept on the chain. It is a prelube applied at the factory to keep moistre away and prevent rust during transportation and storage, and to protect the o-rings from drying out. In fact washing it off with a degreaser can harm the o-rings and dry out the rollers. When you have ridden the bike for a few miles and the chain gets warm, it will act like normal chain lube. And you will have to relube the chain soon enough.

[Bob Wessner]

OK, thanks a lot.

[Kevin D]

Sundays job for me was instaliing my new o-ring chain. I had to go far and wide to find one with a clip type master link and not the one time riveted link that needs an $80 tool to install. I used a good sized c-clamp to press the side plate on. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't nearly as tough as changing a tire. I will be buying some new 16-inch tire irons next time I have to do that. RK also uses that sticky white grease on their chains.

[Bob Wessner]

Well, if it isn't as tough as changing a tire, I can handle it 

[dpen]

Leave the grease on-it'll wear off. Installing the split link can be a pain but there's an easy way.
You'll have to shorten the chain, so grind off two outer links from your offcut (if you have an old spring link you can use that instead).
Position these links under your g-clamp (not string) and do it up. You're basically using these links as a spacer to compress the o-rings so you can get the retaining clip on. Tighten the clamp gradually, a bit at a time over about ten minutes (this avoids distorting the o-rings)
Leave this tightened up for about 15 minutes then take the clamp off & the retainer should fit on fairly easily. The o-rings will revert to their original diameter in a few minutes.
Don't forget-closed end of the retaining link in the direction of rotation.
I did a previous post as an answer somewhere regarding chain maintenance using diesel fuel, if you can't find it-e-mail me & I'll whack another one in.
It was shown to me by an old bloke about 35 years ago & works like a beauty.

[Patrick]

Actually the one-time rivet on an x-ring chain can be done without the $80 tool, if you have an Autozone anywhere nearby. They have a tool rental program that allows you to buy a tool and then return it for a full refund when you are done. I used a flaring tool they have on my x-ring chain and it worked very nicely. And if I would have bought it, the flqaring tool only cost a little over $20. It was designed to spread fuel and a/c lines, but it worked quite well with the rivets. Made a five minute job take five minutes. Imagine.....

[ChopperCharles]

You should clean the grease off completely. O-ring chains should not be lubed like regular chains - all the lubrication needed for the life of the chain is contained between the o-rings. Spray it down with a light machine oil to keep the side plates from rusting, and then towel off the excess. Grease or oil on the chain will just attract dirt which will wear the chain out prematurely.

Charles.