Topic: O-ring or non o-ring chain?

[dylboss]

I hope this topic hasn't been beaten to death, but I couldn't find anything too in depth about this when I searched.  I also didn't see much in the Chain FAQ about this specific topic.

I'm looking to replace the chain and sprockets on my '76 CB750 and am wondering what others use as a preference, and what the pros and cons may be.  I know that non o-ring chains are cheaper, but I'm not confident that this is necessarily a pro in this case vs. functionality.

Any thoughts?

[xsmooth69x]

before the old timers chime in and beat you alive the answer is NO NO NO NO

use a regular heavy duty chain

those O ring X chains or whatever are thicker and will cut into your case by you front sprocket

i dont understand the whole concept of those o or x ring chains. the standard chains might be more labor intensive since you have to clean and lube them from time to time..... but 10min of your time saving you $$$$ buying those really expensive chains.

but you can run those chains if you do that 530 to 520 chain conversion or use the sprockets with an offset

cycle x sells them

http://www.cyclexchange.net/Chain%20Sprocket%20Page.htm

but ya you cant run 530 o ring chains on the bikes because of the extra width

[TommyT]

MY 78K is running a 530 o ring chain and it clears the case by quite a bit?  is this unusual?

[Patrick]

Cb750s can run O-ring or X-ring chain. CB500 and Cb550s can't.

Now, the question is "why?" I do not believe our bikes can break a modern 530 chains,m o-ring or not.

Patrick

[CycleRanger]

Cb750s can run O-ring or X-ring chain. CB500 and Cb550s can't.

Now, the question is "why?"

Clearance for the wider chain.
Teh 750 haz it. 

[xsmooth69x]

darn it!

i know i got beatin to a pulp about the 550 o ring chain question and i thought the 750 was in the same boat

so if the 750 clears why does cycle x sells sprockets with off sets? i just "assumed/ make an asss of myself" that since offset sprockets where made for the 750 that it doesn't clear

[Tree]

I would go with an O-ring chain.   I just converted my '78 750 from a 630 standard non-Oring to an RK 530 Xring chain.  In my case the chain noise went down significantly (may have been the new sprockets and  smaller chain).  I believe the chain life will probably be greater because the xring will be more forgiving of inconsistent oiling.  It also can use the 3M wax chain saver lube vs. the messier PJ1 Black Label. 

[Johnie]

I have the EK O ring on my KO, K1 & K4. Would not go back. A quite chain and seems to hold the grease better. Just my opinion...

[TommyT]

The offset sprockets I have seen are so you can run a wide rim or tire in the back. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

darn it!

i know i got beatin to a pulp about the 550 o ring chain question and i thought the 750 was in the same boat

so if the 750 clears why does cycle x sells sprockets with off sets? i just "assumed/ make an asss of myself" that since offset sprockets where made for the 750 that it doesn't clear

Learn you will young padawan, the ways of the chain... hmmm.

[CoachDoc]

I went with the O-ring chain and I think it's the answer if you want to increase chain life and decrease maintenance. Then I read on this site how the wider O-ring chains can chew up the lower case and a seal on 550's. I don't think this clearance is an issue on 750's.
Anyway, I have removed this chain and I'd love to sell it. It has exactly 102 miles on it, while it should last 10,000 or more. It's a D.I.D. Vector 530- 100 O-ring chain. PM me if you'd be interested in making an offer for it.

[BAchvytrk]

o-ring chains are not necessarily less to maintain. If they are not kept lubed properly the orings can dry out, crack, and fall out. If you ride in dusty conditions at all, stoned roads, dirt roads, the orings can collect dust and debris causing premature wear.  As long as they are cared for correctly they will last a long time. My preference has been mostly for a nice heavy duty no oring chain, but thats just my opinion.

[Retro Rocket]

MY 78K is running a 530 o ring chain and it clears the case by quite a bit?  is this unusual?

Ok guys, the 78K has a wider output shaft, 10mm if i am correct, thats why there are no clearance problems with the late model K bikes.
They also have a 10mm offset on the rear sprocket carrier.....

[BobbyR]

I will be keeping my 630 chain. I don;t feel like fiddling around with retrofits, just slap on some new sprockets and a chain. I may go O ring or maybe not.

530 or 630 O ring or X ring, you have to protect the metal, keep it adjusted properly or you will not get any longevity out of it.

[Danno]

the reason it won't work on the 550 bud is that there is a rubber plug in the front of the chain housing that gets eaten by the chain if a person were to say remove said plug and tap the hole and put a billet plug in the hole and make sure it was flush it would work with the oring chain but you would also have to remove the stock chain guide assembly as it would drag on the wider chain eventually becoming a piece of wadded up scrap/shrapnel that could damage the case

[CoachDoc]

the reason it won't work on the 550 bud is that there is a rubber plug in the front of the chain housing that gets eaten by the chain if a person were to say remove said plug and tap the hole and put a billet plug in the hole and make sure it was flush it would work with the oring chain but you would also have to remove the stock chain guide assembly as it would drag on the wider chain eventually becoming a piece of wadded up scrap/shrapnel that could damage the case

LOL...... that is quite a mouthful without one single bit of punctuation. Makes it kinda hard to follow the train of thought, but I think I get the gist of it.

[splitt]

so if the 750 clears why does cycle x sells sprockets with off sets? i just "assumed/ make an asss of myself" that since offset sprockets where made for the 750 that it doesn't clear
[/quote

One reason that they do it is for clearance for people who wish to run wider tires.

[Retro Rocket]

the reason it won't work on the 550 bud is that there is a rubber plug in the front of the chain housing that gets eaten by the chain if a person were to say remove said plug and tap the hole and put a billet plug in the hole and make sure it was flush it would work with the oring chain but you would also have to remove the stock chain guide assembly as it would drag on the wider chain eventually becoming a piece of wadded up scrap/shrapnel that could damage the case

Be careful, in some applications the chains actually hit the cases around the seal, there was a recent one on this site, grooved cases and all.

[dylboss]

Ok, thanks to all for chiming in.  I guess there is quite a bit of opinions about this.  I guess I'm not even sure what the stock size of the '76 750 is, 530 or 630?  I'd like to keep things as stock as possible. 

I lube my chains every 400 miles with Chain Wax whether it is o-ring or non o-ring, so I can eliminate that as a criteria.  I would however like to tone down the chain noise as much as possible, as well as smooth things out.  Sounds like o-ring might be the way to go for this. 

I'd ultimately like to buy a chain and sprocket set.  Any recommendations as to best manufacturers?

[DedHed]

Next... Coke Vs. Pepsi.....


Phil

[MCRider]

Ok, thanks to all for chiming in.  I guess there is quite a bit of opinions about this.  I guess I'm not even sure what the stock size of the '76 750 is, 530 or 630?  I'd like to keep things as stock as possible. 

I lube my chains every 400 miles with Chain Wax whether it is o-ring or non o-ring, so I can eliminate that as a criteria.  I would however like to tone down the chain noise as much as possible, as well as smooth things out.  Sounds like o-ring might be the way to go for this. 

I'd ultimately like to buy a chain and sprocket set.  Any recommendations as to best manufacturers?

Your size is a 530. It would be hard to find objective study that wouldn't favor an ORing chain over a standard chain. It is important to keep the ORings clean. Easily done by various chain cleaner gadgets, or simply a rag or brush (many use a toothbrush as I do) and a cup of proper solvent or chain specific cleaner.

I like chainwax but its a 2 sided sword. Its so sticky that some claim its a magnet for oring eating dirt. So spray it on the rollers in between the side plates, stay away from the ORings. You're just trying to lube the roller to sprocket interface anyway, as the ORings keep the roller lube in by themselves.

[MCRider]

the reason it won't work on the 550 bud is that there is a rubber plug in the front of the chain housing that gets eaten by the chain if a person were to say remove said plug and tap the hole and put a billet plug in the hole and make sure it was flush it would work with the oring chain but you would also have to remove the stock chain guide assembly as it would drag on the wider chain eventually becoming a piece of wadded up scrap/shrapnel that could damage the case

Be careful, in some applications the chains actually hit the cases around the seal, there was a recent one on this site, grooved cases and all.

You've seen this on a 750?  Or just the 550? OP has a 750.

[seanbarney41]

...25,000 miles of negligent maintenance on EK o-ring chain- 750k2 motor in k5 frame...probably need a new one in the spring

[DH]

A 530 "x" ring chain rubs on the case of my stock k5 750 with an 18 tooth front sprocket. I've been told, though not tried it yet, that use of a smaller 17 tooth front sprocket will solve the problem.
IIRC, there is also some sort of difference in the 750's output shaft bearings(?) (1 vs. 2, depending on year, early vs. late). Does this affect case width? I am wondering if the earlier models have more clearance due to this  when combined with a smaller front sprocket. Some guys on the forum run o rings on the 750 with no problem, and some can't. Is Hondaman reading this post?  This is a topic that has certainly come up before  and the answer for the correct combinations/solutions
might put an end to what seems to be a mystery to some of us.
My questions mainly pertain to the k0-k6. Anyone?? Sorry if I hijacked the thread a little.

[Danno]

yeah i had a late 78 750 that could not use the O ring chain but the rubber plug issue  is a 550 issue  the 750 issue had more to do with the seal boss

[MCRider]

yeah i had a late 78 750 that could not use the O ring chain but the rubber plug issue  is a 550 issue  the 750 issue had more to do with the seal boss

I thought the 78 750 came with a 630 ORing chain as standard equipment?

[Retro Rocket]

yeah i had a late 78 750 that could not use the O ring chain but the rubber plug issue  is a 550 issue  the 750 issue had more to do with the seal boss

I thought the 78 750 came with a 630 ORing chain as standard equipment?

And the 78's have a longer output shaft as well, 10mm wider, they also have a 10mm wider sprocket carrier for the rear.