Topic: Which drive chain to buy????

[Bikebuff]

Good Morning All,

Okay, I'm ready to buy a new drive chain for my '70 cb750 K0.  The problem is that I'm confused by which chain I should buy.  I read the Chain FAQ section but am still puzzled.  My bike is stock so far. 

Here's my confusion: I see chains that are called '630' chains, '530' chains, and '525' chains.  Which one should I buy?  Are all 3 compatible with stock sprockets (I'll be buying those at the same time-stock replacement sized sprockets, that is), or will any of these 3 be too wide for my stock bike?

Please help a puzzled cb'er.

Thanks!

[dusterdude]

you need a 530,any good name brand will do.

[Bikebuff]

Thanks Dusterdude.  Of course, now I've remembered another question: Can I use an x-ring type chain instead of an o-ring type chain?  I've read that its better than the o-ring type chain.

Any thoughts?

[TwoTired]

Your bike uses a 530 chain and can accept an o ring or an X ring type.  If your chain oiler is still active, a standard 530 should give very good life.  If the olier has been shut off, then an 0 ring or X ring will require less user maintenence.  Just put some chain wax on these periodically to keep rust at bay.

Cheers,

[Bikebuff]

Thanks TT, I didn't want to buy an x-ring chain and wind up buying the wrong thing. Any recommendations on chain lube and chain wax?  I'm a newbie, so thanks for your patience.

[andy750]

If you can afford it then get a Tsubaki 530 sigma o-ring chain - excellent chain (last one lasted me 16,000 miles with little maintenance). The cheaper RK 530 o-ring or x-ring is also very good. Chain wax is ok to use on o-ring - not sure about x-rings.

cheers
Andy

[nickjtc]

What would a chain thread be without Nick chiming in about getting a Scottoiler?

[stresssolutions]

I read the Chain FAQ section but am still puzzled.  Thanks!

A lot of the Chain FAQ is no good.  SUDCO has no contact information, mawonline linky doesn't work, sprocketspecialist linky doesn't work, maybe I'm just tired and whiny.  sorry.

77cb750A, do I understand correctly that it takes 15/42 sprockets, 630 chain, 88 links?  Any reason to switch or not to 530?  530 looks cheaper, seems to be what the 76 used with 17/48 sprockets.  (If I'm reading the book and ebay listings correctly) 

Can you supply some new links for favorite suppliers, stock is good enough for me.  Is it possible that this is the orig chain? I can't find a master link, 26,300 miles.  thanks

[Gordon]

A lot of the Chain FAQ is no good.  SUDCO has no contact information, mawonline linky doesn't work, sprocketspecialist linky doesn't work, maybe I'm just tired and whiny.  sorry.

Hit the "Report to Moderator" link at the bottom of the post, and let them know which ones are dead links.  They don't routinely check links to make sure they're still good, so it's helpful if we let them know when we find them.