How long should a chain last?

derf · 07-08-2009, 05:51 PM

I replaced the chain and sprockets on my bike at the rally, I have no clue what the miles were on the previous chain, but the swingarm had adjustment marks, and the old chain was past its limit according to the tick marks. So I replaced it, better safe than sorry

tommymac · 07-08-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I replaced the chain and sprockets on my bike at the rally, I have no clue what the miles were on the previous chain, but the swingarm had adjustment marks, and the old chain was past its limit according to the tick marks. So I replaced it, better safe than sorry

Thats when its time to be replaced.

Tom

Amber Lamps · 07-08-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommymac

Thats when its time to be replaced.

Tom

Yep total agreement here!

derf · 07-08-2009, 06:30 PM

Yeh no shit thats why it got replaced

tommymac · 07-08-2009, 06:33 PM

A bunch of the seals on my last chain started leaking out the grease so I figured its time for a new one. Only had a few thousand miles on it so I was kinda surprised but I think between riding on the construction sites and all the road salt without proper cleaning caused its ealry demise. I am pushing 5k miles on this current chain and all is well.

Tom

Amber Lamps · 07-08-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommymac

A bunch of the seals on my last chain started leaking out the grease so I figured its time for a new one. Only had a few thousand miles on it so I was kinda surprised but I think between riding on the construction sites and all the road salt without proper cleaning caused its ealry demise. I am pushing 5k miles on this current chain and all is well.

Tom

Yea my biggest fault has been lack of maintenance. Besides, new chains are so shiny!

was92v · 07-08-2009, 07:36 PM

I replaced mine right before I went to the Gap. It was the stock DID and it had 23,500 on it. It went from a leaking o-ring to 5 kinks in about 300 miles. The sprockets looked surprisingly good, but the rear was showing some wear.
That is the most mileage that I've ever gotten out out of a chain.

Phenix_Rider · 07-08-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I replaced the chain and sprockets on my bike at the rally, I have no clue what the miles were on the previous chain, but the swingarm had adjustment marks, and the old chain was past its limit according to the tick marks. So I replaced it, better safe than sorry

If it ran out of adjustment, that sounds like it had extra links, making the chain too long to begin with. My chain didn't stretch very far according to the adjustment marks, but it wore unevenly. Several links got a red stain, it kinked more often, and had large differences between the tightest and loosest sections.

I have heard of touring riders getting insane mileage (30k+) out of a chain, but I can only assume the bike rode like shit for so long they simply got used to it. Even a small amount of slop is noticeable to me. I adjusted the chain last week after washing the bike and cleaning the chain. It was just outside the loose end of spec- took two flats on the adjustor nuts to bring it back to the tighter side. I can't imagine using up all the adjustment on the swingarm.

Amber Lamps · 07-08-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

If it ran out of adjustment, that sounds like it had extra links, making the chain too long to begin with. My chain didn't stretch very far according to the adjustment marks, but it wore unevenly. Several links got a red stain, it kinked more often, and had large differences between the tightest and loosest sections.

I have heard of touring riders getting insane mileage (30k+) out of a chain, but I can only assume the bike rode like shit for so long they simply got used to it. Even a small amount of slop is noticeable to me. I adjusted the chain last week after washing the bike and cleaning the chain. It was just outside the loose end of spec- took two flats on the adjustor nuts to bring it back to the tighter side. I can't imagine using up all the adjustment on the swingarm.

I agree with that! I can't imagine a chain gaining that almost 2'' on the adjusters. That just sounds like a lot to me.

marko138 · 07-09-2009, 09:28 AM

My chain on the Zuk lasted me all 5 years I had it. Plus I have no idea how long it was on there to begin with. Proper maintenence FTW.

07-08-2009, 05:51 PM	#1
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I replaced the chain and sprockets on my bike at the rally, I have no clue what the miles were on the previous chain, but the swingarm had adjustment marks, and the old chain was past its limit according to the tick marks. So I replaced it, better safe than sorry __________________

07-08-2009, 06:30 PM	#4
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Yeh no shit thats why it got replaced __________________

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07-08-2009, 06:33 PM	#5
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	A bunch of the seals on my last chain started leaking out the grease so I figured its time for a new one. Only had a few thousand miles on it so I was kinda surprised but I think between riding on the construction sites and all the road salt without proper cleaning caused its ealry demise. I am pushing 5k miles on this current chain and all is well. Tom

07-08-2009, 07:36 PM	#7
was92v Nowhere Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	I replaced mine right before I went to the Gap. It was the stock DID and it had 23,500 on it. It went from a leaking o-ring to 5 kinks in about 300 miles. The sprockets looked surprisingly good, but the rear was showing some wear. That is the most mileage that I've ever gotten out out of a chain.