ZREXER
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posted May 02, 2006 06:28 PM
Chain Stretch?
How is the stock chain holding out so far on your bikes (those that have one!)? Have you had to adjust a few times yet or only once? I had heard that Busa's tended to have a lot of chain stretch.
  
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fastestbusaaround
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posted May 02, 2006 06:36 PM
Chain still good at 850 miles...no adjustment needed yet.
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swft
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posted May 02, 2006 06:41 PM
That's a good sign. My 12R's chain must have required 3 adjustments by then.
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TurboBlew
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posted May 02, 2006 07:01 PM
Wow.... what kind of chain is on it? DID?
You cant break those babies..
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Tool Man
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posted May 02, 2006 07:12 PM
900 mi No stretch at all lubed it 3x check it no stretch it's kinda weird. Super chain
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zx61114
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posted May 02, 2006 07:34 PM
I don't know for sure but the chain looks like a RK X-Ring. In the line of chains this would be RK second best. If I'm correct, I will bet most will not need to adjust until after 2,000 miles then maybe not again for another 4-6000 miles. Keep in mind this has been my past experences, and I'm not super hard on chains, and I'm a bit anal about the maintenance. It is a great chain as long as you stay on top of the maintenance, I would guess normal use this chain should last between 18-26,000 miles. The OEM chain could easy pass 30,000 miles for some (the OEM will most likely be the best chain your bike will see). There is a chance this is a RK W-ring chain and after 13,000 miles on the VFR new sprocket front and 83,000 mile rear sprocket this has got to be the best chain (aftermarket) I've bought. Fewest adjustment of any chain that's ever been on the bike including the OEM chain. Does it justify the almost double price over a X-ring? I can tell you that I'm pretty happy with mine up to this point. Always longwinded Rob
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EASY
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posted May 03, 2006 04:08 AM
How do you maintan it---seems everyone has a different theory.
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zx61114
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posted May 03, 2006 04:36 AM
 Edited By: zx61114 on 3 May 2006 05:37
Easy I'm with you as far as different theoies are concerned. Here is what works best for me.
Chain lube, I use Dupont Silicone. I've had pretty good results with the Blue lable silicone (I buy mine from LOWES). It was in motorcycle consumer reports about a year ago. Right after you spray it on than wipe off the excess, having a centerstand will help greatly here and also explains why I have to have one on the 14. Wiping off the excess will keep the o-rings from becoming tighter more than normal ie dirt and grimb getting in between the seals. Next I clean the chain with Mineral Sprits every 2 months or so, then lube for the first time a couple days later. Here is my hairbrain thinking on this, once the dirt is cleaned out I want to o-rings to re-seal or expand back to where they should be before I re-lube (a couple days for me is about 75 miles). I adjust when it's necessary, sometimes there is 4-6000 miles between adjustments one rule here is always error on the loose side. My way is a PITA but I average between 24-30k on the OEM chain and 12-16 K with out sprocket change, 20,000+ miles with front sprocket replaced and I'm still using the rear. NOW I always replace the front sprocket when getting a new chain. Rob
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zerMATT
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posted May 03, 2006 04:50 AM
When do I adjust the chain? The answer to that is easy. I'll keep an eye on it when the bike's new and adjust if it's necessary. After that, I do it each time I replace the tire. The wheel's been off and on... might as well check it then. That puts me "adjusting" my chain every 2500-4000 miles depending on how long my rear tire lasts.
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zx61114
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posted May 03, 2006 04:59 AM
quote:
When do I adjust the chain? The answer to that is easy. I'll keep an eye on it when the bike's new and adjust if it's necessary. After that, I do it each time I replace the tire. The wheel's been off and on... might as well check it then. That puts me "adjusting" my chain every 2500-4000 miles depending on how long my rear tire lasts.
Puss-boy (that's me) goes 10-14,000 miles between tires...Keep in mind I've been riding sub 100 HP bikes for the last 8 years. I adjust every 4-6000 miles till the chain nears it's end then I'm adjusting anywhere from 300 - 500 miles.
Rob
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EASY
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posted May 03, 2006 10:03 AM
Thanks zx6114 !!! Seems like a good way to take care of a chain. Several years ago there were some shop guys that thought WD-40 was God's gift to chain. After every ride, they would spray the chain down with it and then take a cloth and wipe off all the excess. As far as I know, they never had a chain failure and the chain was always shiney and clean.
This was on DID X ring chain---Any thoughts???
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zx61114
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posted May 03, 2006 11:14 AM
Easy, I know Ken Sholt (I think that is his last name) uses WD40 to lube his CBRXX Chain. Remember resistance or lack there of is his goal not longivity. I must admit when I used WD40 on my chain I would accerate the death of the chain. NOTE I never cleaned my chain at that time so once the WD started opening the o-rings (self cleaning) I'm thinking it allowed the chain to stretch. I have also been told that WD40 tends to degrades the o-rings. I really can't say for sure. Cleaning the chain may be more importaint than anything else I've written.
DID X-ring chains always lasted about 15,000 miles HOWEVER when I used the DID I never replaced the front sprocket and that's not fair to DID. I like both DID and RK as far as quailty is concern. It truly is what we do with the chain after the fact will determine the longivity.
Rob
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blitzkrieg
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posted May 03, 2006 11:32 AM
I've been using WD40 for about 3 years (I was a hard sell) and would never go back to chain lube or wax. 
My 12 has 14K miles on the factory chain and its like new. Try it for a month. You'll throw your chain lube/wax in the trash.
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zx61114
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posted May 03, 2006 11:51 AM
blitzkrieg, I do agree with your thinking however I'm almost of the thinking that if you use WD40 you should use it all the time. WD40 is a wonderful cleaner but once you have a dirty chain wd40 may not be the best way to go. Note I did not say it will not work I know people who use WD40 all the time. Treat it as synthetic oil. Just my opinion.
Rob
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tslewisz
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posted May 03, 2006 12:26 PM
O-ring chains need 3 things:
1. Keep 'em clean
2. Protect them from corrosion.
3. Keep the o-rings pliable.
WD40 will do it. So will a lot of other methods.
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blitzkrieg
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posted May 03, 2006 01:13 PM
Here is my beef with chain lube and why I'll never go back:
1) Chain lube seems to attract dirt better than any substance known to man.
2) It's messy as hell.
3) It's hard to clean up.
Here is what I do every 300 or so miles (more often if rain) - throw the bike up on the PitBulls, fire it up, stick it in first and let the clutch out at idle. Then I take my trusty can of WD40 and a shop rag and let the bike do the work.
Takes about 2 minutes total. No muss, no fuss, and you will be amazed out how smooth the driveline is compared to sticky chain lube.
Like I say, I fought this tooth and nail back when the idea was thrown out to me. Get rid of my trusty PJ1 or Belray? NEVER!
But, I finally gave it a shot and never looked back.
zx61114 - yes, its all I use. NO wax or lube ever. WD40 only.
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TurboBlew
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posted May 03, 2006 01:53 PM
Oh jeez.... how'd this get turned into a chain lube thread? 
Zx61114.... there is no mileage limitation on chains. If maintained..a quality chain can go 35,000+ miles. Ive seen ZX12s with OEM chains that were never lubed and kinked....get cleaned and lubed with just WD40 and ride like new again. If you want to pay postage... ill even send it to ya....lol. Its has well over 40k on it.
Heres an experiment...since I spend most of my days at work doing them lately.
Buy some orings. Put them in a container and put some wd40 in there.
Pull the orings out in a few weeks. Let me know what you find.
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D
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posted May 03, 2006 01:55 PM
Please don't try this at home folks, cleaning the chain on a running bike is a recipe for losin a finger - your results may vary.
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fastestbusaaround
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posted May 03, 2006 02:01 PM
Auto Oiler?
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blitzkrieg
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posted May 03, 2006 03:07 PM
quote:
Please don't try this at home folks, cleaning the chain on a running bike is a recipe for losin a finger - your results may vary.
Oh Jesus, I forgot to put the "If you are an idiot do not do this" disclaimer in there D!
Sorry, I live by the "If you take a shower using a hairdryer you deserve to die" mantra.
I assume that people that have made it through life long enough to get to the point of owning a bike like this understand you need to keep your fingers out of the chain and sprocket.
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zx61114
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posted May 03, 2006 05:10 PM
quote:
Oh jeez.... how'd this get turned into a chain lube thread?
Zx61114.... there is no mileage limitation on chains. If maintained..a quality chain can go 35,000+ miles. Ive seen ZX12s with OEM chains that were never lubed and kinked....get cleaned and lubed with just WD40 and ride like new again. If you want to pay postage... ill even send it to ya....lol. Its has well over 40k on it.
I'll be damed, I did not think too many chains made it past 30K. Maybe in Florida the sand just beats the hell out of them? I was not saying WD40 does not work only suggesting that once a chain is filled or gumed up with chain Wax it's not a good idea to use WD40. Lord knows my first cross country trip that was the only thing I used, and may I add I had the cleanest chain when I got home.
End of lube thread.
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D
Needs a job
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posted May 03, 2006 05:17 PM
quote:
quote:
Please don't try this at home folks, cleaning the chain on a running bike is a recipe for losin a finger - your results may vary.
Oh Jesus, I forgot to put the "If you are an idiot do not do this" disclaimer in there D!
Sorry, I live by the "If you take a shower using a hairdryer you deserve to die" mantra.
I assume that people that have made it through life long enough to get to the point of owning a bike like this understand you need to keep your fingers out of the chain and sprocket.
Yeah but ya know there's always that ONE out there - the one who goes and uses 200 grit sandpaper ta buff some hairline scratches outta his new car cuz he saw it on "the net" 
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TurboBlew
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posted May 03, 2006 05:27 PM
Hey dont laugh.... Im missing part of my thumb as a result of a running motor and engaged chain.... whoops. 
I went 1 full revolution around a 42 tooth sprocket.
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D
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posted May 03, 2006 05:28 PM
That was supposed to surprise us?
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TurboBlew
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posted May 03, 2006 06:09 PM
No.... impress ya.....hehehe
Of course I was much much much prettier then..
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