Topic: O ring chains bad on a 550?

[78_SaltLick]

Jesus the hits just keep on coming.....

So the guy that traded me this bike said he had a "O" ring chain put on it. This is a 74 550. A senior member here just alerted me to this fact:

"Do not repeat DO NOT run an O-Ring chain on a 500-550.The chain is too wide and you`ll have a hole in the case"

How do i identify that i do have an O ring chain on my bike? The guy that sold this to me was dumber than i am with bikes, he might have just heard that term and used it, i really dont think he had the smarts to put a chain on, or he really did put one on. First thing i have to do is identify whether or not it is an O ring chain. Wouldnt i hear the sound of the chain rubbing against the case if it was too wide? 

[dusterdude]

salt,look between the plates on the links,if its an o ring chain you should see the o rings.

[Einyodeler]

Check out this thread

  http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=1526.msg10788#msg10788

[MetalHead550]

Yep thats me.  Still no leaks after the JB weld .  And Tsubaki chains are crap BTW.  Thats what I replaced it with. Its supposedly prestreached chain but It needs adjustment every 100 miles or so.  Its steached a good 1/2 inch since its been on there.

[bistromath]

New chains will stretch that much. Especially if on old sprockets.

[78_SaltLick]

the sprocket on my back wheel looks really small compared to my 750, is there a chance there is one of those 520 O ring chains on there with a matching modified rear sprocket you guys were talking about earlier?  If the chain is not rubbing against anything, is there still a problem?

[Gordon]

The rear sprocket on a 550 is supposed to be much smaller than on a 750.  Have you verified yet that it even is an o-ring chain?

[TwoTired]

The stock chain on my CB550 is about .800 inch, width of the pins.

The 530 o ring chains are more like one inch.

How wide is yours?

[78_SaltLick]

ive been at work all day, ill check it when i get home. Ive been sitting here all day just wondering if im going to have to cough up more $, hoping it isnt an O ring chain. Work sucks.

[78_SaltLick]

The stock chain on my CB550 is about .800 inch, width of the pins.

The 530 o ring chains are more like one inch.

How wide is yours?

Its an inch wide, and says 530 on the links. Its an O ring chain.....and i just noticed a small oil leak coming from underneath where the front sproket would be. Is this possibly where its worn through? Great......something else........i could slap myself silly for trading my bike for this piece of junk.

[heffay]

 
jb weld and see what that does

[TwoTired]

Well, you'd better remove the sprocket cover and take a look.  There are other things that can leak oil in there; shifter seal, oil pressure sender, etc.  Remove the chain and front sprocket, inspect for damage.  Certainly worth a try with the JB weld to patch case/seal damage.   Clean the area well with the last rinse alcohol or acetone. Patch with JB and let cure.  Thin continous coat should do it.  Don't expect it to bond to the rubber.  Make a bridge over the entire rubber seal metal to metal.

Pray.  Don't lie or cheat on your woman, and you might be okay.  Buy a new chain.

Some of the above is good advice.

[78_SaltLick]

Well, you'd better remove the sprocket cover and take a look.  There are other things that can leak oil in there; shifter seal, oil pressure sender, etc.  Remove the chain and front sprocket, inspect for damage.  Certainly worth a try with the JB weld to patch case/seal damage.   Clean the area well with the last rinse alcohol or acetone. Patch with JB and let cure.  Thin continous coat should do it.  Don't expect it to bond to the rubber.  Make a bridge over the entire rubber seal metal to metal.

Pray.  Don't lie or cheat on your woman, and you might be okay.  Buy a new chain.

Some of the above is good advice.

Im wondering if the guy that traded me this bike knew about this. He emailed me the other day asking to see if i could mail him the original handlebars. I told him about the chain, and the small oil leak........he never responded back with his address where to ship the bars to......he wont respond at all.

[Henry Dorset Case]

Ive been freaking out ever since reading this thread.  I finally got a chance to look at my 400 last night.

Good news for me is the chain on it is 530 non o-ring.   no case damage.

bad news is that the chain and both sprockets are stuffed!

has anyone put a #520 chain and sprockets on their bike?  It would really help if I knew some JT part numbers to quote to my supplier. they are good, but wont appreciate trying to match the spline size and sprocket but not the width.

Also, are there any issues with the thinner sprockets i.e. do I need a washer between the back of the sprocket and the gearbox shaft oil seal? 

Any alignment issues?

Thanks

BTW Plan B is to just use standard sprockets and non O ring chain, but I would prefer O ring.