Oil change / New chain

Len Averyt · November 25, 2007, 04:03:20 PM

Well I did some of my service stuff to the Ole Magna.
I changed the Oil and filter. I used Rotella T 15W-40
I bought it by the gallon which was way less than buying motorcycle oil buy the quart.
Anyway I rode the bike about 100miles before parking her for the last 2 weeks. I tried to make the clutch slip so if a 300lb guy pulling hard on her won't make it slip I don't think there will be any problem. It isn't energy saving oil.
The only side effect i have found, if thats what it is, is that I can pull the clutch when cold but can't push the bike in gear cause the clutch is still sticking on. It may just be due to the cold.
It would do that a little in the summer when it had been sitting for a good while.

Anyway I want to buy a new chain. If anybody here has the tools to make it I would be willing to have it done for a little extra $$.
I have a little over 18K so i figure I should change the chain and drive sprocket.

Curtis_Valk · November 25, 2007, 04:07:29 PM

Just give it a good hard roll using the backlash in the chain to break the clutch plates loose. That's what I used to do, but of course it won't work on gravel.

Curtis

Gloveberg · November 25, 2007, 04:16:16 PM

For those planning on replacing a chain I found a great product from EK. It's a rivetless master link and so far it has worked flawlessly for me. Anyone that knows me can attest to how I ride and if it works for me then it will work for just about anybody.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Screw-Type_Connecting_Links--506314.html

This is NOT a clip style master link (I don't trust those as far as I could chunk one) but rather one that you screw on two supplied nuts and they flange the pins to the proper depth as you tighten them. Basically you put this on your new chain, screw the nuts onto the exposed threaded pins, tighten with a 8mm wrench until they completely bottom out, remove the nuts, snap off the excess parts of the pins and you are done! No expensive rivet tools to buy or anything. I found this when I bought my last chain and figured it was worth the shot. So far (about 4 months now I guess) I have nothing but praise for it. It takes the hassle out of chain replacement and for $11 you can't beat it. I would highly recommend this to anybody.

Len Averyt · November 25, 2007, 04:25:30 PM

That link of the link is neat. I'll have to look into it.
BTW I just went out there to start the Ol girl after sitting for a week and she just about didn't start.
Choked and all, she just turned and turned and finally a sputter that i milked into a rev and finally a run.
Took her about 20 minutes to warm up poor cold natured thing. Not to mention that damn ethanol fuel.
Need to find me a good real gasoline for winter starting.

Greg Cothern · November 25, 2007, 07:27:06 PM

I gotta buy a new chain and sprockets for my Project 96, (spent this much might as well get all the maintenance done while I am at it LoL).
Jimmy ya got any advice on sprockets? Chain? Where to get em? I have checked the usual places such as Dennis Kirk etc.

Curtis_Valk · November 25, 2007, 08:07:17 PM

QuoteFor those planning on replacing a chain I found a great product from EK.

Jimmy, that looks like the best thing since sliced bread. Why didn't we invent that? We could be riding instead of working!! Almost makes me want a chain again (NOT!!).

Quote.........start the Ol girl after sitting for a week and she just about didn't start.

Just goes to prove Magnas are female: Leave one alone for a week and it's hard to get 'em to rev. Actually, don't you think she deserves some heat out there? Or better yet, build a ramp so you can get her in the living room! LOL

Seriously though, keep the battery tender on her so the spark is good and hot, and go easy on the throttle at first and she'll get going. I was usually able to get off choke and ride away on cool mornings without much warm-up.

Curtis

roboto65 · November 25, 2007, 08:58:12 PM

Well Cyclegear has had a sale for a bit on the RK xso 530 chain I got mine for 80 out the door not a bad deal for an Xring chain !!!!!

TLRam1 · November 25, 2007, 09:21:09 PM

Will the link work on all brands of chain? The website refers to EK.

Gloveberg · November 26, 2007, 10:27:57 AM

Quote from: TLRam1 on November 25, 2007, 09:21:09 PM
Will the link work on all brands of chain? The website refers to EK.

In theory it should. I know when I had an RK chain and needed to remove a couple of links I used an EK rivet master and it worked fine.

lragan · November 26, 2007, 04:31:22 PM

Quote from: Greg Cothern on November 25, 2007, 07:27:06 PM
I gotta buy a new chain and sprockets for my Project 96, (spent this much might as well get all the maintenance done while I am at it LoL).
Jimmy ya got any advice on sprockets? Chain? Where to get em? I have checked the usual places such as Dennis Kirk etc.

Greg, I have a "used but good as new" standard drive sprocket for a 3rd gen. Bought a new one, and I absolutely cannot measure any difference between the new one and the one I set back. New one cost ~$25, and sending it back would cost about half that, so I just put it on the bike.

You are welcome to the old one if you want it.

I am leaving on a business trip tomorrow morning early, but will be back a week from today. If you are not in a hurry for it, I could get it to Devin, and he could bring it when he comes home at semester break.

Gloveberg · November 26, 2007, 05:01:23 PM

Quote from: Greg Cothern on November 25, 2007, 07:27:06 PM
I gotta buy a new chain and sprockets for my Project 96, (spent this much might as well get all the maintenance done while I am at it LoL).
Jimmy ya got any advice on sprockets? Chain? Where to get em? I have checked the usual places such as Dennis Kirk etc.

Greg, I have been getting my sprockets from Dennis Kirk and my last chain from KneeDraggers.com. DK seems to be about the lowest and I like how you can see what they have in stock before you order.

FWIW the last two chains I had were RK X-ring's and they didn't last worth a damn no matter how anal I was about lubing and adjusting. I went with an EK this time and so far so good.

roboto65 · November 26, 2007, 07:09:40 PM

Are you running stock ratio Jimmy was going to do a 41/17 but damn it is hard to find that 41 it is out there just no one carrys it except JT and the only place I found that was the dist !!!!

rjb/AKA Bob Barram · November 26, 2007, 07:24:06 PM

Len, I have the tool to use when removing/replacing the chain, if you want to come by some evening or weekend it is doable in about an hour. Just make sure you have the right size chain. I bought one from Honda once after giving them the bike numbers and they gave me one too short. (is this what you meant by making a chain?)
Bob

TLRam1 · November 26, 2007, 07:35:57 PM

My RK chain didn't last long either but think it was more the installer than the chain.

I seem to have a problem with the installer riveting the master link too tight and guessing that's the only link that doesn't move fluidly and thinking it is the first link to sound like it doesn't release (kinking) when the chain is lacking lube.

Does or has anyone else noticed this problem with the master links being too tight? I have never riveted one on myself so I assume you can not rivet it on as tight and leave it somewhat free, yes/no?

lragan · November 26, 2007, 08:17:43 PM

I used the heavy duty rivet tool from MotionPro, on advice from Alan, with the adapter for soft head rivets (not hollow). It doesn't bind at all -- at least not so far. The master link is almost indistinguishable from the factory staked links.

It is certainly more expensive than the self staking links described above. Wish I had know about them before I bought the tool.

Anyone is welcome to use this chain tool. Just make sure I know you are coming.