I have finally determined that my '99 that I recently purchased has a rattling noise that is coming from the chain. It has 10k miles and it is the original chain. My question, I have been told from a few shops around, that the steel roller chains, compared to the oem o-ring chains, will do just fine. The steel are about 1/3 the price. Anyone have any good/bad luck with the less expensive steel rollers on their 3rd gens? Are they noisier? I don't want to change out the factory noisy chain for a new noisy chain.....Any advice would be great!!!!!
Derek
Derek, I have always gone with the OEM type chain. Most importantly I would recommend the chain with the rivet, not the clip.
Also, when requesting the chain make sure it has over 18 links in it as I have ordered a chain from the dealer by bike model and he gave me a chain that was too short.
Bob
I believe the o-ring is superior. The o-rings hold in lube, although I am pretty careful about keeping mine cleaned and lubed on a regular basis anyway. You'd really have to be maintaning a standard chain alot more. I recommend going with the OEM or close to it, these bikes have alot more power than your "average" 750 cc bike. You really don't want a cheapy, weak chain to break at 8000 rpm and chainsaw through the engine case ($$$) and your leg (owwww!)
Thanks, Bob. That is the way I am leaning, OEM.
It's the old saying, you get what you pay for.
I used a cheap chain on an old CB 750 and got 4000 miles out of it.
I kept it lubed and it still did not hold up.
O rings are a better chain, but I just put a x ring on my 3rd generation and so far so good. ( I'm about 4,000 miles into the new chain)
If you can believe the sales hype, the X ring provides more sealing surface to keep out the dirt.
If you are replacing a 3rd generation chain, you need 118 links.
Go on the web and check our RK Chains, or DID Chains.
Good Luck.
W/O doing the research.....I believe your tensile strength is higher on an O Ring vs a non-O Ring type chain and will stretch much sooner than the premium O Ring style chain.
Derek, you did not mention if you've double checked that the chain is properly tensioned, and that it is cleaned and lubed well.
The only reason I bring it up is I use the chain noise to alert me that the chain needs cleaning (I know, not the "right way, but it works for me). Once it's wiped off with some Naptha and lubed up (chain lube of your choice), it quiets back down.
Rod
Thanks to all for the advice. I did make sure it was very clean and lubed. I broke down and bought a DID pro chain from a friend that owns a shop. I got a great deal on it! Glad to say that now the chain is very, very quiet. The bike is now perfect in my opinion.
Thanks again,
Derek
Thanks to all for the advice. I did make sure it was very clean and lubed. I broke down and bought a DID pro chain from a friend that owns a shop. I got a great deal on it! Glad to say that now the chain is very, very quiet. The bike is now perfect in my opinion.
Thanks again,
Derek