As you may know I shall be replacing my swing arm (Thanks Del) with an un cracked version.
My bike had done 28k miles and so I might (might) decide to replace the chain with a 0ne piece jobby whilst the arm is removed.
1. How many links is the standard chain?
2. What make and model of chain do you recommend?
3. OEM sprockets or 3rd party
4. Please confirm the standard tooth number on the sprockets..
Links to recommended chains appreciated.
I thought it would be a good time to do this whilst "The beast from the East" is around..
Last week it was slightly warmer when I originally removed my swing arm for re greasing (at 2C).
What would stop me is rain... Remember I don't have a garage so all work is done outside !
18 Front, 41 Rear 116 Links.
Ah thanks Col..
Will make a note.
What brand of chain & Sprockets? Ya may as well ask what brand of tyres & Oil!!
Stick with a reputable brand for each & ya won't go wrong. Nothing wrong with OEM either, just maybe dearer. Renthal front & Supersprox rear seen to be fairly prevalent. Some like the rubber cushioning of the OEM, some don't care.
My chain isn't knackered thats on..
I would say its just a bit tired and there is a slight tight spot when adjusting it.
So I thought it would be a good time to freshen up Sophie (The bike) in time for the alleged better weather..
Have a look at this bit in Chain & Sprocket section
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=775.0
I think the main issue with chains is keeping them clean of grit & oiling them. I personally go for the heavier end of chains suitable. The link will show you what I use.
Question 2: D.I.D. 530-ZVMX is what I use in both of our bikes GSX/XJR.
Snap T24
Quote from: T 24 on Thursday, 01 March 2018, 05:22 PM
Question 2: D.I.D. 530-ZVMX is what I use in both of our bikes GSX/XJR.
Thanks T 24..
Will look into it sharpish..
I am thinking I better not rely on my jubilee clip for too long..
Err no it wasnt a joke.. I really have "supported" the crack with a heavy jubilee clip!
Good man! A dedicated rider. As ya said, who knows how long it's been like that & you were riding it before. Good to get it fixed though.
I use a standard front (runs quieter) sprocket and a supersprox rear with a tsubaki 116 link chain (split chain)
They last well I change at 18-20 thousand miles .
:cheers:
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 01 March 2018, 05:06 PM
What brand of chain & Sprockets? Ya may as well ask what brand of tyres & Oil!!
Stick with a reputable brand for each & ya won't go wrong. Nothing wrong with OEM either, just maybe dearer. Renthal front & Supersprox rear seen to be fairly prevalent. Some like the rubber cushioning of the OEM, some don't care.
Well said Col.
I would go for an endless chain which saves you the riveting (no need for tool) and, if you stick with endless, puts you well on your way to inspect the swing and grease its bearings next time around. No need for unriveting/flexing either.
Hi Seth...
Just ordered a DID ZVMX chain from the link below for what I consider to be a brilliant price..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/chain-530-ZVMX-116-Links-Ring-Continuous/dp/B00UL99VPK
Will look into the sprockets separately..
Have to set off for work now!!
Thanks again to all of you for your very fast responses and advice.
Simon
Quote from: Andre on Thursday, 01 March 2018, 05:47 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Thursday, 01 March 2018, 05:06 PM
What brand of chain & Sprockets? Ya may as well ask what brand of tyres & Oil!!
Stick with a reputable brand for each & ya won't go wrong. Nothing wrong with OEM either, just maybe dearer. Renthal front & Supersprox rear seen to be fairly prevalent. Some like the rubber cushioning of the OEM, some don't care.
Well said Col.
I would go for an endless chain which saves you the riveting (no need for tool) and, if you stick with endless, puts you well on your way to inspect the swing and grease its bearings next time around. No need for unriveting/flexing either.
Thanks Andre..
Just ordered an endless DID.
Will look into sprockets when I get home from work..
Recommendations ???
Thanks again.
S.
Standard front sprocket and Supersprox rear sprocket would be my choice.
Quote from: T 24 on Thursday, 01 March 2018, 05:22 PM
Question 2: D.I.D. 530-ZVMX is what I use in both of our bikes GSX/XJR.
Very popular among the German 14 riders.
And Kiwi's
D.I.D. chains are good .
There are other option on front sprocket just look for ones with the rubber on it's face where the chain sits as this helps the whole thing run quieter .
:cheers:
Quieter and it appears that it helps dampen (like the rear wheel rubbers).
a genuine rubber f. sprocket here is around $150. is it worth it, no idea. JT do a rubber version, 18 bucks plus post from italy. i know which id choose.
JT front sprocket (JTF513.18) 12.90€ in spare part shop, I have used them.
I only saw the jt and other noise reducing front sprocket after I'd got an original Suzuki one last time but over here the Suzuki one wasn't very much more than the others .
You can get rear sprockets with the same but I don't like the look of those.
:cheers:
Ognibene sells silent sprockets :onya:
https://www.ognibenechaintech.com/en/prodotti/6/ingranaggi-OE.html (https://www.ognibenechaintech.com/en/prodotti/6/ingranaggi-OE.html)
What are your thoughts on JT sprockets ?
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Friday, 02 March 2018, 04:55 AM
What are your thoughts on JT sprockets ?
Nothing wrong with them.
I use them in combination with the did zvmx chain.
Going strong for 17.000km with no adjustment yet.
Thanks Blubber..
I've also used JT sprockets with no problem, fitted one last year to my MZ1000sf.
Thanks mjgt
I was considering the Ognibene silent sprockets but I have never had an issue with my bike having a noisy transmission.
My bike has plain sprockets on now.
Cant say I want to throw money away unless there is a definite advantage in other makes of sprocket.
I'm running JT front and rear as well. No issues at all.
I use this chain and sprocket kit..
DID 530VX Gold chain and JT sprockets. For £89.92 delivered you can't go wrong.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GSX1400-2002-Model-DID-Gold-X-Ring-Chain-JT-Sprockets-Kit-Set/192456403310?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49926%26meid%3De4ddf0552b2e40b8b27e8fbc271e5082%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D142360394742%26itm%3D192456403310&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
You can compare DID 530 VX and ZVMX series from here: http://www.didchain.com/streetChains.html
Recommendation for 14 is 530 ZVMX.
i have EK chain on mine, been amazing. not a brand that gets mentioned a lot. http://www.motochains.com/zvx2_motorcycle_chains
I was going to add that any of the quality chains will give similar mileages .It's cheap stuff that doesn't last and needs adjusting every 5 mins
:cheers:
I did run an RK chain one time, reckon they had a bad batch as the wee 'o' rings or 'x' rings kept breaking & falling out, had 7 of them in the end & also tight spots, that's when I changed it out. It had only done a few thou k's - can't recall off the top of me head, but was around 5k I think, WAY short for a chain & for one that was cleaned & lubed regularly. Too bad, I won't go back to RK now, stick with DID.
Same as my rk Col. Bad batch i guess but never buy again. Full of rust, i thought gearbox was rooted. Even my wife said such a bad noise. I was scared to ride 5 ks to repair shop. Had me worried. Such a relief it was chain, i had dollar signs floating thru my head. First thing repair bloke said was output shaft brg.from over tight chain. I blamed Wurth chain lube but after yours, prob just a bad lot.
I just put the DID 530 ZVMX & JT sprocket kit on mine. Went for the top shelf one, as it was worth paying the difference for the extra quality/peace of mind.
What a difference it has made to my bike, as my previous chain was stretched by a full link when compared to the new one.
So much smoother and no snatching in between gear changes etc.
https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/DID-Chain-and-Sprocket-Kit---Just-choose-Bike-Size-and-Chain-Quality/m-17662.aspx
Thanks for your endorsement Sweaty.
Thats the exact same combo I have gone for.
They arrive wednesday next week so obviously I have delayed fitting the replacement swing arm (I opted for a 1 piece chain).
will keep that combo in mind, if i can ever wear out my EK.
I think l have milked the last out of my chain. Been quoted $368.00 for DID 530 ZVMX chain.
Anyone know the part number for an endless version ? Do they do an Endless chain and sprocket kit ?
Thanks in advance lads. :cheers:
Hi Kiwi..
I got the endless DID ZVMX off Amazon and the JT sprockets from a motorcycle parts supplier. (Forgotten which one but can look up...Though postage may be an issue).
I couldn't actually find the endless chain as part of a kit.
Removing the swing arm really isn't such a big deal once the back wheel is off..
Because I was on my own doing the work I used a car jack to raise the swing arm to the correct height before shoving it back in place.
Without the jacks support it was a sod of a job with either the shim (Right side) or the dust seals falling off.
Thanks Speedy. Didnt even think of Amazon.
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, 05:06 PM
Thanks Speedy. Didnt even think of Amazon.
Just hope they never deliver these via Drone !!!
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, 04:36 PM
I think l have milked the last out of my chain. Been quoted $368.00 for DID 530 ZVMX chain.
Anyone know the part number for an endless version ? Do they do an Endless chain and sprocket kit ?
Thanks in advance lads. :cheers:
If you don't get an endless one KF, have you checked the price from the link i posted previously. I payed $221 aud for the ZVMX & sprocket kit delivered to Aus (was a 15% promo discount at the time though) but way cheaper than any where else i could find.
The Visor Shop UK :onya:
That's a very good price Sweaty, cost me considerably more for just the chain.
rivet link works fine for me. can get an EK with screw link. the advantage of endless, im not sure.
Endless....... Because I can do it myself and am keen to service swing arm anyway.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, 07:06 PM
That's a very good price Sweaty, cost me considerably more for just the chain.
Was the same for me KF, cost for chain only was around $300 locally. So have you checked what the price through them would be delivered to NZ, as i think it would similar for you?
https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/DID-Chain-and-Sprocket-Kit---Just-choose-Bike-Size-and-Chain-Quality/m-17662.aspx
I'll come up for a ride & ya can do mine too Col.
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, 07:11 PM
Endless....... Because I can do it myself and am keen to service swing arm anyway.
Another reason to use endless chain: Today a German forum member reported his chain broke. Was riveted by a "professional". Fortunately he was unhurt. Quite a bit of damage to the bike. A forum member personally knows someone that lost his foot because of that.
QuoteA chain is only as strong as it's weakest link!
See if you can find out what the chain was Andre. Wonder if they were using a 520 chain? Brand? Wonder how long he'd had the chain for? ie, how far had it travelled?
I'd be very interested to know the details & history of this chain.
6 years, 27000 km. I'll keep you posted should I find out more.
A 520 chain is for racing (in my book) where it get's lots of attention in the box and chucked in the bin way before it get's in a questionable state.
Once had a chain snap on my wife's bike, chain just shot out the back like a straight stick till it hit the floor, no damage to her bike but I almost shat myself. :lol:
I had one break years ago on my xt600 and the thing went through the flywheel casing went round the flywheel stopped the engine dead and bent the bloody crank , a very sad way for an xt600 to die :facepalm:
Quote from: Andre on Friday, 06 April 2018, 05:38 AM
6 years, 27000 km. I'll keep you posted should I find out more.
A 520 chain is for racing (in my book) where it get's lots of attention in the box and chucked in the bin way before it get's in a questionable state.
Or for people who are obsessed with buying anything branded as "race" because they think there's a performance gain to be had. I personally know a few of those. I'm convinced they would buy a plastic exhaust if it had "Race use only" stamped on it. Funnily enough, they are all in their 20's and ride 600cc race bikes :rolleyes:
Quote from: lloydjames on Saturday, 07 April 2018, 12:08 AM
Quote from: Andre on Friday, 06 April 2018, 05:38 AM
6 years, 27000 km. I'll keep you posted should I find out more.
A 520 chain is for racing (in my book) where it get's lots of attention in the box and chucked in the bin way before it get's in a questionable state.
Or for people who are obsessed with buying anything branded as "race" because they think there's a performance gain to be had. I personally know a few of those. I'm convinced they would buy a plastic exhaust if it had "Race use only" stamped on it. Funnily enough, they are all in their 20's and ride 600cc race bikes :rolleyes:
He he, I am closing in on 60. I would love having the money (maybe in another life) to buy a van, camping trailer and a 600cc race bike and spend lots of time with it on the track. But definitely not on the street!
Similar age to you Andre... but I am sure my wrists, hips and knees would not manage a race bike.... track or otherwise. Had a test drive on the bmw s1000rr last year.... lovely bike but could only manage 30 mins without feeling the old bones suffering. That's why I love the 14... :grin:
Quote from: ARH on Saturday, 07 April 2018, 02:38 AM
Similar age to you Andre... but I am sure my wrists, hips and knees would not manage a race bike.... track or otherwise. Had a test drive on the bmw s1000rr last year.... lovely bike but could only manage 30 mins without feeling the old bones suffering. That's why I love the 14... :grin:
Its why I had to sell my Firestorm the other year, 30 mins and I'd had it. I thought the 14 would be my last bike, but for longer trips that too was just uncomfortable as well, hence the swap to the Explorer, much more long legged. All those years hunched over a desk and operations on my back finally caught up with me