Do I need a new chain etc.

[Doogie2.0]

Guys, I decided to tighten my chain today. Put the back on a padlock stand. Tightened the chain like I wanted, spun the tire checking tension every 10" or so. It looked good at first, then got loose like 1" 1/4, then it gets super tight maybe a half an inch. I don't know what happened, I thought DID was a good chain. Should I change chain and sprokets again,?

 

[Eff-Zed-1]

We need less information as far as mileage on current parts, etc

 

[Isleoman]

I typically get around 25K out of the DID VX chain (their cheapest o-ring) on my Gen 1s. How many miles on yours? Find the tightest spot, adjust it to your preference and don’t worry about the loose part of chain.

Can we make this a chain thread? I use wd40 on rag to clean chain, then use chain wax, every 250 miles or so. Sometimes I hit the edges of the o-rings with straight wd 40. It does have a loosening effect.

Over the years I’ve gotten mellow towards chains as opposed to anal. My measuring tool is my toe pushing up towards the swingarm, if it slaps it easily it’s time to tighten. I can usually feel it getting loose when shifting. I don’t have to tighten chains all that often for as much as I ride.

 

[Doogie2.0]

I typically get around 25K out of the DID VX chain (their cheapest o-ring) on my Gen 1s. How many miles on yours? Find the tightest spot, adjust it to your preference and don’t worry about the loose part of chain.

Can we make this a chain thread? I use wd40 on rag to clean chain, then use chain wax, every 250 miles or so. Sometimes I hit the edges of the o-rings with straight wd 40. It does have a loosening effect.

Over the years I’ve gotten mellow towards chains as opposed to anal. My measuring tool is my toe pushing up towards thees on this chain and sprocket swingarm, if it slaps it easily it’s time to tighten. I can usually feel it getting loose when shifting. I don’t have to tighten chains all that often for as much as I ride.

I don't have a lot of miles on this chain and sprokets. I think it's probably the way I ride. I got this bike 6 or so years ago. This is my first bike with this much power, I just can't seem to be able to ride it normally. Ive read aggressive riding can do that to a chain, and I do ride aggressively. e Thanks for your input. I think for now I'm not going to worry about it cause pretty soon it's going to be to hot to ride. So maybe this September I might change everything

 

[Blue Flash]

I clean mine with kerosene every other oil change or so. I'll check for stretching by just pulling on the chain at the back of the rear sprocket. If it's tight on the sprocket, I call it good, and I try to keep it properly tensioned.

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

Yep, sounds like the chain on my 131k mile, 2002 gen.1. DID 50VA chain with Sunstar sprockets. I still find those 50VA drive chains, every once in awhile. Drive chain that came with our bikes, new.
I receive around 20K miles or so, on my chains. Sprockets alined perfectly, chain lubed with chain wax when the rollers get shiny, and thats about as far as those chains go for me.
Just returned from a 900 mile sport touring ride with the lads up north in the redwood parts of Ca. I took the high mileage bike here, just to see how the ol' wreck would do on the ride.
Ca. Highway 20 from Willits to Fort Bragg, is a race track with great pavement, and myself and the bike kept up, with some of the fairly fast guys. Two guys that are track racers, cleared off, as to be expected. That being said I got the rear tire to the edges, on both sides! Not bad for an old man of 80 years of age! Lol! Running a Dunlop RS 3 on the front, and a RS 2 on the rear. Bike seems to like the tires, and so do i. They work just fine.
Anyway, the ol' wreck went through about five/six ounces of oil, it uses oil when hammered, and when I returned home, had to adjust the chain tension two flats on the six sided rear adjusting bolts. Won't be long, before its time for new a drive chain and new sprockets.
Picked up a brand new RK ZXW chain about a year ago for 35 bucks! No rivet master link, but I found one for 15 bucks. Very high tensile rating on said chain, and I am going to try J.T. sprockets, this time around. See how those parts work for wear.
Just an old man here, rambling on about bikes. Retired, and nothing better to do this morning! Lol!
You all have a great day, now.
Dean

 

[cannedSardina]

Guys, I decided to tighten my chain today. Put the back on a padlock stand. Tightened the chain like I wanted, spun the tire checking tension every 10" or so. It looked good at first, then got loose like 1" 1/4, then it gets super tight maybe a half an inch. I don't know what happened, I thought DID was a good chain. Should I change chain and sprokets again,?

This is very typical to a warn out chain. Seems like you can never get it adjusted properly? Gets tight than loose. Id replace it. It is dangerous to ride it like that, anyway.

I usually get 25kish. Got like 34k from the stocker. Used to do regular maintenance. But the last 4-5yrs just clean and wax it when I wash the bike. Typically every 1k miles. Unless it gets wet. Lifespan has been the same.

 

[Doogie2.0]

This is very typical to a warn out chain. Seems like you can never get it adjusted properly? Gets tight than loose. Id replace it. It is dangerous to ride it like that, anyway.

I usually get 25kish. Got like 34k from the stocker. Used to do regular maintenance. But the last 4-5yrs just clean and wax it when I wash the bike. Typically every 1k miles. Unless it gets wet. Lifespan has been the same.

Thanks for the advice. The stock chain lasted a long time. This one I don't understand. Isn't DID supposed to be a good chain? The only thing I can see is maybe I should have let it stretch before I got so aggressive with it. I may have stretched it in spots at the beginning. I am an old bird and probably shouldn't be but I still like to pop a wheelie now and then. Maybe that did it.

 

[Doogie2.0]

Yep, sounds like the chain on my 131k mile, 2002 gen.1. DID 50VA chain with Sunstar sprockets. I still find those 50VA drive chains, every once in awhile. Drive chain that came with our bikes, new.
I receive around 20K miles or so, on my chains. Sprockets alined perfectly, chain lubed with chain wax when the rollers get shiny, and thats about as far as those chains go for me.
Just returned from a 900 mile sport touring ride with the lads up north in the redwood parts of Ca. I took the high mileage bike here, just to see how the ol' wreck would do on the ride.
Ca. Highway 20 from Willits to Fort Bragg, is a race track with great pavement, and myself and the bike kept up, with some of the fairly fast guys. Two guys that are track racers, cleared off, as to be expected. That being said I got the rear tire to the edges, on both sides! Not bad for an old man of 80 years of age! Lol! Running a Dunlop RS 3 on the front, and a RS 2 on the rear. Bike seems to like the tires, and so do i. They work just fine.
Anyway, the ol' wreck went through about five/six ounces of oil, it uses oil when hammered, and when I returned home, had to adjust the chain tension two flats on the six sided rear adjusting bolts. Won't be long, before its time for new a drive chain and new sprockets.
Picked up a brand new RK ZXW chain about a year ago for 35 bucks! No rivet master link, but I found one for 15 bucks. Very high tensile rating on said chain, and I am going to try J.T. sprockets, this time around. See how those parts work for wear.
Just an old man here, rambling on about bikes. Retired, and nothing better to do this morning! Lol!
You all have a great day, now.
Dean

JT sprokets, that's what I had put on my bike. This RK chain do you like it? Recommend it? Forgive me if I don't get back to you right away. Thanks

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

Good morning, from central Ca.
Have not run the RK chain yet. I usually run DID drive chains, so when the time comes, I will throw the RK chain on one of the FZ1's I own.
The RK chain has a tensile rating of 11,200 pounds, and is the top of the RK line, for a drive chain, and made in Japan. Should last awhile, with the new sprockets. We shall see.
By the way, which model of DID drive chain, are you using that is failing? Just curious. And what ratio are your sprockets?
As I am retired, I can fish about for drive chains. Along with the RK chain, I picked a "Sunstar" drive chain awhile back, also made in Japan. High tensile rating also, and methinks it was made by DID, or RK. I think I only paid 40 bucks for that chain, with rivet master link included.
Just fun to me, to look for bits for the bikes.
You all have a great day, now.
Adios

 

[Doogie2.0]

Good morning, from central Ca.
Have not run the RK chain yet. I usually run DID drive chains, so when the time comes, I will throw the RK chain on one of the FZ1's I own.
The RK chain has a tensile rating of 11,200 pounds, and is the top of the RK line, for a drive chain, and made in Japan. Should last awhile, with the new sprockets. We shall see.
By the way, which model of DID drive chain, are you using that is failing? Just curious. And what ratio are your sprockets?
As I am retired, I can fish about for drive chains. Along with the RK chain, I picked a "Sunstar" drive chain awhile back, also made in Japan. High tensile rating also, and methinks it was made by DID, or RK. I think I only paid 40 bucks for that chain, with rivet master link included.
Just fun to me, to look for bits for the bikes.
You all have a great day, now.
Adios

Hey Dean, my front sprocket is a 16 tooth and rear is a 46 JT sprokets. I can't find any info on the chain. It's a 530 DID is all I know. Thanks

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

Look on one of the side plates, on the chain. Should be some letters/numbers of the DID chain model.
The letters/numbers on my 2002 FZ1 chain, are 50VA. Be interested to see what you have.
I have another DID chain waiting in the wings, and that chain has 50VA8 written on it. Came from a 2009 FZ1, with only 5K miles on it. O.E.M. drive chain. Will need to cut off a few links, but I have a disc grinder that I use, to do that.
My great friend Roger rides a 2012 Honda CBR1000RR, and he rides much more than I do. His bike uses the exact chain that my gen.1's do, so I sell him a drive chain when he needs one, at what I pay for them. Otherwise, I would be knee deep in drive chains. Lol!
Anyway, let me know about the above, when you can.
Adios
P.S. Are you riding a gen. 2 FZ1? If so, you have that thing, fairly low geared. Stock is 17 front, and 45 rear. I run a 45 rear, on my gen. 1's., with a O.E.M. 16 front. Slightly lower gearing, so the bike pops just a bit more.

 

[Doogie2.0]

Look on one of the side plates, on the chain. Should be some letters/numbers of the DID chain model.
The letters/numbers on my 2002 FZ1 chain, are 50VA. Be interested to see what you have.
I have another DID chain waiting in the wings, and that chain has 50VA8 written on it. Came from a 2009 FZ1, with only 5K miles on it. O.E.M. drive chain. Will need to cut off a few links, but I have a disc grinder that I use, to do that.
My great friend Roger rides a 2012 Honda CBR1000RR, and he rides much more than I do. His bike uses the exact chain that my gen.1's do, so I sell him a drive chain when he needs one, at what I pay for them. Otherwise, I would be knee deep in drive chains. Lol!
Anyway, let me know about the above, when you can.
Adios
P.S. Are you riding a gen. 2 FZ1? If so, you have that thing, fairly low geared. Stock is 17 front, and 45 rear. I run a 45 rear, on my gen. 1's., with a O.E.M. 16 front. Slightly lower gearing, so the bike pops just a bit more.

My bikes a Gen 1.. the faster blue the chain is a 530. With VX3 also makes on it

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

My 2001 is Deep Purplish Blue, also.
Well, you defiantly have a DID drive chain. Very good drive chain. Mystery how your chain has that tight spot!
How many miles on the chain? 16/46 gearing is not that severe on a gen. 1. As mentioned, I run 16/45 on my gen. 1's.
Anyway, good luck finding out, why the tight spot on the chain.
Do have a nice evening.
Adios

 

[cannedSardina]

If you chain has been running misaligned or to loose/tight, that will wear it quick.

 

[Doogie2.0]

My 2001 is Deep Purplish Blue, also.
Well, you defiantly have a DID drive chain. Very good drive chain. Mystery how your chain has that tight spot!
How many miles on the chain? 16/46 gearing is not that severe on a gen. 1. As mentioned, I run 16/45 on my gen. 1's.
Anyway, good luck finding out, why the tight spot on the chain.
Do have a nice evening.
Adios

Maybe 6 to 8k miles I'm guessing

 

[Doogie2.0]

If you chain has been running misaligned or to loose/tight, that will wear it quick.

I may have bought the wrong rear and front sprocket, cause I can move my chain from side to side a little. I don't think it should move at all should it?

 

[Isleoman]

I may have bought the wrong rear and front sprocket, cause I can move my chain from side to side a little. I don't think it should move at all should it?

You made me have to walk down stairs to check bikes ………yes my VX3 chain on OEM sprockets moves laterally about 1/16” from side to side on rear sprocket.

Less than 10K miles is woeful. Even sub 20K miles is unexpected. I’ve always used oem sprockets and stock gearing on Gen 1s, others with after market sprockets seem to have no problems either. How many miles on previous chain?

Back in the 80s with size 630 chain I use to get 10-15K miles on the best brand chains and just assumed that’s how it is………until I started using DID and maybe more importantly size 530.

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

Yes, you could have a 525 or 520 set of sprockets, on the bike with a 530 chain.

I went out to where my 2002 gen.1 is parked, and tried to move the drive chain back and forth on the rear sprocket. it barely moved, side to side. This on a drive chain, with 20K miles on it. It is just about ready to be changed, as it is getting a tight spot, as I rotate the rear wheel. Can't complain about the mileage at 20K miles, however. I have numerous new chains to pick from, and of course, I have new sprockets, front/rear.

Just for reference, here are the sprocket numbers on the spare sprockets I have. Front is a JT front sprocket, JTF579-16RB, with 16 teeth. The RB denotes rubber on both sides of the sprocket, to deaden chain noise. Just like the o.e.m. front sprocket.

The rear is a Sunstar sprocket. 2-547445 are the numbers on it, with 45 teeth. As mentioned, I run a gen. 2 rear sprocket on both gen.1's, as it gives the bikes, a tiny bit more pop, in the corners. Slightly higher revs, but who cares. Both bikes run great.

Okay, I hope this helps you.

Best of luck to you.

Adios

P.S. you can obtain the same front sprocket I have from E-bay, for around 18 or 19 bucks, with free shipping. I get most of my parts, through E-bay. Being retired, and nothing better to do, i cruise the "bay" every day. Lol!

 

[Dean L. Dinnetz]

You made me have to walk down stairs to check bikes ………yes my VX3 chain on OEM sprockets moves laterally about 1/16” from side to side on rear sprocket.

Less than 10K miles is woeful. Even sub 20K miles is unexpected. I’ve always used oem sprockets and stock gearing on Gen 1s, others with after market sprockets seem to have no problems either. How many miles on previous chain?

Back in the 80s with size 630 chain I use to get 10-15K miles on the best brand chains and just assumed that’s how it is………until I started using DID and maybe more importantly size 530.

Yep, my built 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200, opened up to 1216 c.c., 11 to 1 compression, etc. etc. use to eat drive chains! Purchased the bike new in L.A. and received right at 8K miles, on the o.e.m. drive chain! Terrible. Best I ever received was around 15/16K miles with the best chain I could find. Great bike, but the thing ate drive chains.

Faster than my gen.1's, but not as good, every where else.