[qwerty]

After <23,000 miles the EK SROZ chain has started stretching. It will pull about half a tooth height off the wheel sprocket, so it isn't yet toast but soon will be.



I've been sitting on a Parts Unlimited 15 tooth countershaft sprocket and a case cover gasket for quite some time. I just ordered a 130 link SROZ chain and a 51 tooth rear wheel sprocket from www.monkeybuttparts.com. Had I bought the countershaft sprocket along with the rest the total would have been $100.36 including shipping. I also have a set of brake shoes to go on. Tdub still has the original set.



I don't understand why anyone messes with open chains on a TW.

 

[Rainman]

Sounds like you got yourself a nice deal. I don't know why I've messed with my stupid open chain for so long. I'm switching to an o-ring chain soon. You've liked the EK SROZ chain and thats probably what I'll go with.

 

[elime]

What do you have to do to take care of an o-ring chain?



With the o-ring I would think one would still have to clean the chain and sprockets but is there any lube required ?

 

[thumper]

I take a tooth brush, dip it in kerosene and quickly clean the chain while slowly turning the rear wheel.

The kerosene cleans great and is what the chain mfg recommends for o-ring chains.

Alot of folks clean them with WD 40, but I've had the WD40 solvent penetrate past the o-rings and destroy the chain

really quick by "cleaning out the lube" behind the o-rings.

I clean with kerosene, then wife if off with a rag or compressed air, then use another tooth brush with 90wt gear oil or a

small plastic bottle with a small spout to put the gear oil on. I let it sit over night then wipe it off with a rag before

I ride. I do this about every 300-500 miles.

My chains last 20K now. This includes chains on Triumph's Sportster's, BMW 650's etc.

Sometimes simple is better.

 

[elime]

Larry -- That is pretty much what I do with my open chain except I remove the chain first, then I clean the chain and sprockets separately with kerosene. I then soak the chain overnight in a can of 90wt, wipe off the excess, ride a few miles, wipe up the resulting mess and then I am good for about 400 miles. I have gone further than 400 and I bet I really only need to do this every 500 or 550 miles. Total mileage on the chain is about 12,500 and it looks great and I can pull it off the sprocket < 1/4 tooth. Tony

 

[lizrdbrth]

Larry -- That is pretty much what I do with my open chain except I remove the chain first, then I clean the chain and sprockets separately with kerosene. I then soak the chain overnight in a can of 90wt, wipe off the excess, ride a few miles, wipe up the resulting mess and then I am good for about 400 miles. I have gone further than 400 and I bet I really only need to do this every 500 or 550 miles. Total mileage on the chain is about 12,500 and it looks great and I can pull it off the sprocket < 1/4 tooth. Tony

I too use 90w on all my chains when I can allow them to sit overnight. I use a "ZoomSpout Oiler" bottle to apply it to a mounted chain, but when I have time i do a full cleaning/soaking.



Try soaking it for only an hour or so, then hanging it overnight, allowing it to drip into a container.



Less flinging, same lubing.

 

[qwerty]

An o-ring chain needs only enough vare to keep from rusting.



I spray a bit of Seafoam Deep Creep on a chain to dissolve old lube and remove dirt, wipe the Deep Creep off with a rag, let dry, then spray with Champion Motorcycle Chain Lubricant from Walmart. I usually ride the bike between cleaning and lubing, and spray the lube on a warm chain. The Champion lube congeals to a waxy texture that will not sling off, and repels mud and water without attracting dust and dirt. I do chain maintenance only when prepping for a dualsport weekend, so intervals can be a few thousand miles apart. I have better things to do with my time and money than to maintain chain every 300 miles.