Changed my Chain and Sprockets today.......... how many miles??

[Gingernutz]

So today I had my Chain and Sprockets changed and the mechanic worked out I had done 49K miles with the last one  . I paid more last time and got the DID Extreme Super Heavy Duty Gold Chain and Sprockets kit- but 49K is about 35K more than any chain I have ever had. The chain itself was actually still fine. I adjusted it once in the first 300 miles and then didn't have to for 20K then adjusted it at 30K and about 40K. More recently it has needed a few tweaks but there were no tight spots and it barely lifted off the sprocets. The reason I changed it was the rear sprocket was knackered and teeth distorted and I could feel it. So whats your record from a chain - and what brand was it?



I went for the DID gold heavy chain this time £97 rather than from memory £150 - but only because I don't reckon I will get another 50K miles from my old Fazer 600.

[stevierst]

49k!!!!!! Holy Shit!
Was it one of these chains you bought by mistake?

[papercutout]

I'm guessing you run a chain oiler?

That's some impressive mileage! My record low was about 3.5K miles, from a DID chain. It was advertised for a Fazer, must have been for something with a smaller engine. It stretched like crazy, but I bought it in Germany, online and it got me home and until MOT time (although I was adjusting it about every 2-3 days by then)

[Gingernutz]

Yup chain oiler with the big reservoir and chain saw lube because I'm a cheapskate and its 1/4 of scottoil. I put it down to the chain though.

[dickturpin]

does chain saw oil work ok in a scotoiler?

[Gingernutz]

Screwfix cheapy stuff works 'ok' but is a bit thick in winter and runs too slowly.

[stevierst]

does chain saw oil work ok in a scotoiler?

It's almost the same viscosity as Scottoil red, so yep, it works well.

[chaz]

how many miles do you get out of your rear tyre?
I changed my chain and sprockets at 24k but only because the nut had come off, the chain and rear sprocket were fine the front was just showing a bit of wear, I use spray on the chain and get 3.8k to 4.9k miles out of a rear tyre?

[Gingernutz]

I'm very gentle on tyres but follow the same  logic and tend to buy dear because they will last Pilot road 2s and 3s have been getting 15K at least


What brand only lasted 3.5k? Thats 1000cc country

[papercutout]

does chain saw oil work ok in a scotoiler?

I'm using it right now. It's much thicker than the blue stuff. No problems though, just let it flow slightly more!

[Simon.Pieman]

First (original) drivechain lasted 32,000 miles and was replaced with a DID ZVM type which has now done 37,000 miles, I replace the front sprocket with a Renthal item every 15,000 miles (it just starts to look a little worn by then) -this is on a Fazer 1000. The present chain has hardly stetched at all, - I check the chain wear accross 10 links with a vernier gauge fairly regularly, and there is no huge difference between the tight and loose spots. I'm not running these things into the ground.
I use old engine oil for lube exclusively, the detergents in the oil seem to keep the chain clean. I apply a small paint brush full everyday, just enough to lube but not enough to get on the tyre, although the accumulated oily mess under the sprocket cover is something I try not to think about, lol.
Modern chains are amazing, you get what you pay for of course but most are better than the rubbish we had in the seventies,. Back then, using the lubing methods described above I never got more than 8,000 miles from a chain on my Z650.

[Macca4786]

I bought my fazer last summer and was new to the biking world ! Got advised to change chain and sprockets so I new the mileage on them ......
Thank god I till advice !

[chaz]

I'm very gentle on tyres but follow the same  logic and tend to buy dear because they will last Pilot road 2s and 3s have been getting 15K at least


What brand only lasted 3.5k? Thats 1000cc country

from new battle axe 020 rear changed at 5,822. 3,664. 3,767. 3,784. 3,326 changed to maxxis supermax diamond 5,594 (down to cord) 4,705 I change the front every second rear tyre but the front is still legal. I ride for fun with a ZX12R, blades, sport bikes etc. so I'm often at 10,000rpm plus, any one want to buy my bike, one careful owner, lol.

[unfazed]

Just fitted the 3rd chain to my 600 at 84500 mile. Managed to find a genuine Yamaha 5RT chain an sprocket kit for £96 on ebay
I suppose 2 chains in 84500 mile is not to bad. 

[andybesy]

Approx 30k out of initial original set, using (new) 10w40 engine oil as lube, applied weekly with brush.

Replaced with genuine set about 8k ago still nice and shiny

Andy