Chain Recommendations?

[femmekat]

<sigh> The more I learn to look for, the more I need to replace... Getting to know my new (first) bike, a '91 Katana 600, and checked out the chain today on ride #2 (after oil change and oil filter replacement after ride #1), and lo and behold, it was bone dry. Apparently prior owner was a "low maintenance" kind of guy... The contact surface of the chain is shiny (clean, ouch) metal, the outside is definitely rusty. As far as replacement goes, what should I get that is a good all around chain, and gently priced? I am quickly finding out that the initial bike purchase was the cheapest part of this process... Don't know what the sprocket is, guessing it is probably stock but don't know for certain...

Thanks!

Lauren

[sharpie6]

If you are running 530 sprockets it's hard to go wrong with a 118 link 530 DID O-ring. Unless you have changed sprocket sizes, then you'll need to account for links accordingly. About a link for every tooth changed.

[squiggy]

OEM chain for my 2001 was RK so when it was time to replace it I bought another RK chain. It did not last nearly as long as the original for whatever reason. So for my second replacement, I went with DID. I'm happy with the life and wear I'm getting from it.

[The CyberPoet]

lo and behold, it [chain] was bone dry. Apparently prior owner was a "low maintenance" kind of guy...

If the bike was parked up over the winter, the chain may be salvageable with judicious use of cleaner & lube. If it's not salvageable, odds are you are going to need/want new sprockets at the same time all around (because chains & sprockets wear as a set, and if you replace one without replacing the other parts of the equation, the new one will wear to the levels of the older parts rapidly).

Personally, I always used the RK+Vortex combo kits on the kat in the stock sizes (steel/steel combo's on the sprockets, 530 WXO chain for the chain). These are sold together as a combination through many dealers, including mail-order dealers BikeBandit... expect the hit to be around $180.

If you want to try top-of-the-line instead (and have deep pockets at the moment), take a look at Krause Racing's (aka SideWinder brand) TitaniumII sprockets and their matching chain. The sprockets are guaranteed for life, if used in conjunction with their chains.

http://sidewindersprockets.com/titaniumII-sprockets.html

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[jimwag81]

[femmekat]

For thorough cleaning, do I need to take the chain off the bike? And if so, how compicated is that? (Limited tools, and minimal experience, what a lovely combination...)

[KrAzE]

Is there a thread on chains 101? lol. I may need to do this too. My chain is covered in gunk on the outside.

[PepeBouchard]

if the chain can not be salvaged, (for restoration - I used to soak in motor oil), then replace sprockets and chain as a set

[scottynoface]

Rk, ek, did

[Kreylyn]

For thorough cleaning, do I need to take the chain off the bike? And if so, how compicated is that? (Limited tools, and minimal experience, what a lovely combination...)

Is there a thread on chains 101? lol. I may need to do this too. My chain is covered in gunk on the outside.

It's not hard and no need to fully remove the chain for general cleaning purposes.

Kerosene works well to remove most of the old oil and gunk, using a plastic bristled brush. There are special brushes and cleaning kits that are supposed to make the process easier and less mess, but they are not nessasary items. A bucket or catch pail, a little kerosene, and a brush are all you really need.

If you don't have a center stand, you may have to roll the bike a little at a time to get to the next section, if you do have a center stand...

Put the bike up on the center stand, in neutral.
Put the catch pail under the chain center between sprockets.
Apply kerosene and brush to that section, doing all 4 sides until clean.
Turn wheel to move chain to expose another dirty section
Apply Kerosen and brush to that section... repeat as nessasary until chain is clean.
Apply new lubricant to chain

And your all set.

Krey

[femmekat]

Thanks!

[KrAzE]

Nice writeup. I may look for a brush and take care of this tuesday. Gona find out what color the chain is.. pretty sure it didnt come in black.

Recommendations on chain oil?

[The CyberPoet]

Recommendations on chain oil?

Lots of good chain oils on the market, but the best I've used so far (and the one I keep returning to) is the Permatex #80075 chain lube, available via some auto parts stores (anyone who carries permatex brand products should be able to order it for you; I also carry it as an optional-order item if you want it -- I just haven't added it to my inventory list yet).

If you're diligent about cleaning/oiling your chain, you can go with 130 weight gear lube and simply stroke it on with a paint brush (just like removing the grime with the kerosene).

I also like Suzuki's own chain lube (SP-1); it's saved some chains that I thought were beyond hope, unkinking stuck linkages. It's dirty, though (will splatter over time, PIA to get off wheels & swingarms once baked on).

A lot of people prefer "clean" lubes (ones that won't dirty up the swingarm) over "good" lubes (ones with better lubrication properties & tendency to fling away while carrying debris with them). If you're in the market for one of those, I can't make any good recommendations, because I haven't found any that work particularly well at the job of actually lubing the roller-sprocket-tooth interface over any distance [i.e. by the 100 mile mark].

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[KrAzE]

I am going to be looking for gold looking chain and sprockets to match the current theme of the bike. I am guessing a clean lube would be the right choice for me.. Im all about the visuals and will be willing to put the extra effort into maintenance.

I need to update my garage pics.. so much has gone into this bike, including that sweet seat I got from you

[The CyberPoet]

I am going to be looking for gold looking chain and sprockets to match the current theme of the bike. I am guessing a clean lube would be the right choice for me.. Im all about the visuals and will be willing to put the extra effort into maintenance.

FloridaKat has gotten religious about doing the kerosene & gear oil on his chain when he gets home from rides -- It's actually so neat that I thought he wasn't running any lube last Sunday when we went riding...

I need to update my garage pics.. so much has gone into this bike, including that sweet seat I got from you

That'd be cool... did I send you the briefing on what to do with it (in terms of initial treatments with sealants/leather conditioners)?

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet