► Chains, oilers, sprockets

Ed@Ford said:
JARAX: Are you still satisfied with with your chain choice (DID)on your F800?

Did you go with a master link, or did you rivet it ?
Click to expand...

...i still have DID chain, i used master link. I went through mongolia desert, mountain, rivers, 3000 miles without lubing the chain :) (actually its worse to have chain lubed when going through sand / dust) in my opinion) and 7000 miles on road (lubed and cleaned with normal gear oil) and chain is in unbelivable good condition...

Price is reasonable. Have spare master link with me (had 1150 with shaft drive before, so i am bit paranoic), but not used yet...
 
Right values for BMW F800GS chain are:

Type: 525
Pieces: 116
Front wheel: 16
Rear wheel: 42

I bought DiD 525ZVM2 chain (X-ring, enhanced strenght) , spoke wheels not available yet, so I ve used original bmw.
 
Greggers said:
Just checked my bike and it looks like it had new chain and sprockets as part of Vine's service prior to re-sale, but they are BMW stamped sprockets and that CZ chain...
Should I just bite the bullet and buy a decent chain while the sprockets are still good, or should I just wait until the chain is sh@gged...?

G
Click to expand...

If you read my numerous comments on chains, I originally was quite harsh on CZ chain...with some snapping at 2500 miles. I've had numerous Honda dirt bikes, and such a snapping chain could get packed between the sprocket and the crankcase resulting in total engine destruction. I became a zealot and spent$$$$ on chains. Who knows...the F800/650 may be designed to never have such a failure....but $150 for a premium chain is cheap insurance to save a $$$$$$$ BMW engine, or save the $$ of an expensive tow to get the F650 home.

HOWEVER, having said all that, and taking into account the F650/800 may be prone to chain alignment problems, it may be appropriate to make sure it is aligned, tensioned, & properly lubed, then religiously watched for signs of wear. If the sprockets start to get side wear on the teeth, pitch the CZ chain and get better chain. Of course, if you wait too long, then the sprockets will just ruin the better chain. It's a real balancing act. I know I'm going to do all this when my F650 arrives next month.
 
Chain and Sprocket + Scottoiler

Ok, a couple of questions here so bear with me.

My chain's done about 4.5k miles and from what I can tell is pretty knackered. I'll admit I've been pretty crap and looking after it :augie but it looks like the winter salt has really taken it's toll, there are a few tight spots. So I've decided it's time for a scottoiler and a new set.

I imagine the chain and sprockets aren't covered by the warranty, right?

If I get them replaced at a Mottorad dealer will they replace it with the same quality chain?

I called Battersea and they quoted:

£46.70 for sprockets
£64.00 for chain
£154.00 for labour :eek:

Now I know the Scottoiler is about £45-50 but I'm not sure if the labour includes fitting that, but still, it seem steep, no?

If I source the parts myself and take it to another bike place in London will I run the risk of voiding my warranty?

Can anyone recommend somewhere else good in the greater London area I can call to get a comparison quote?

I'm still too petrified to do this kind of work myself :hide

Thanks in advance.


Jolyon
 
To give you some idea before I sold my 650 single I was looking at getting both sprockets changed and the chain and was quoted, IIRC £190 all in. So add on £75 for the diddy scottoiler then their prices don't seem excessive, by BM main dealer rates. That was RGM near Preston, bit of a trek for you :(

But as you seem to have guessed they'll put the same quality chain on and my quote was for a decent quality one, which wasn't much in difference in price to the BM ones :confused:

HTH.
 
Crappy BMW chain

Have to say I have checked my chain earlier today as shes been stood for a little while in my garage and I have to say the chain doesnt look too healthy. I have my sprint st 1050 by the side of it and its chain still looks gleaming. That cannot be said for the BMW one which looks decidedly rusty despite being given the same TLC as the Triumph one.
BMW quality :mad:
 
Chains are a consumable part, and as such must be changed when they have stretched beyond adjustment or corroded (although being tight, I've taken the odd link out now and again, but would not recommend it).

Ugg's right, it isn't a big job to do, although you must replace the sprocket as well as the chain. If your unsure what to do your local bike mechanic I'm sure would show you. To be honest it's not a technical job really.

Question, why are you using a dealer for this job, rather use an independant, cheaper and would probably have more experiance in what would be a better solution, not every chain is as good as the next, and from reading posts here regarding BMW chain preference, then I would look else where, or speak to a local non franchised garage for advice.

Scottoilers are OK but to honest, you have a chain final drive, it's in your best interest to maintain it. A Scottoiler will not maintain a chain for you, and you need to inspect it, clean it and lubricate it on a daily basis.

I have an XJR1300, which pumps alot of power and torque to the final drive, I clean in with parafin to remove the crud and grit / stones which damage the chain. Then coat with a good quality dry lube, and every month remove the chain and give it a damn good clean and inspect for kinks / damage to links.

Mind I'm paranoid ever since I had a chain snap on me, due to my poor maintenance:blast luckily I knew how to repair it!:)
 
The MacFarlane said:
Scottoilers are OK but to honest, you have a chain final drive, it's in your best interest to maintain it. A Scottoiler will not maintain a chain for you, and you need to inspect it, clean it and lubricate it on a daily basis.

I have an XJR1300, which pumps alot of power and torque to the final drive, I clean in with parafin to remove the crud and grit / stones which damage the chain. Then coat with a good quality dry lube, and every month remove the chain and give it a damn good clean and inspect for kinks / damage to links.
Click to expand...

Once a month is too late surely? By that time anything you've washed away has done the damage even if it's been there for only a couple of miles :nenau

A scottoiler may not "maintain" the chain, but mine in the last few months has very little corrosion on it and hasn't needed adusting in its 3500 miles since Nov 2008. Maybe I have the one good chain (crossing fingers // touching wood etc etc :augie ) or maybe it's the scotoiler doing its job.

It would be nice to have the touring one fitted with a refill every few thousand miles.
 
Greggers said:
But is there a particular problem with fitting a 'universal' Scottoiler to the 800?

I've got one on my (now reduntant TRX) so could easily de-mount that and fit it to the GS ...

Greg
Click to expand...

The only difference I can see is the bracket to attach the Scottoiler to the frame and I think the rubber thingy for the vaccum take off.
You could easily make the bracket and I don't think that the rubber connector will be specific.
I fitted the BMW specific one in around 2 hours but I did study the installation video on the Scottoiler website first.
I think if you allready have a Scottoiler i wouldn't buy the BMW one just fit what you've got.
Maybe Scottoiler will sell you the bracket if you ask.
 
Chain Snapped again after 600 miles!!!

Just had another chain snap on me at 2100 miles after the other broke at 1500 miles, still being replaced under warranty, i think some guys are right about the chain quality being rather duff. Starting to lose confidence in the bike now boths times i was lucky to be upright and not much traffic. This time they spoke to BMW and they want the chains and sprokets sent in so they can look at them and hopefully they may do something about this issue. Chain was lubed after it was standing in the garage for a month while i was playing in america. and then lubed on the day it snapped. Just thought id stick it on here to give everyone a heads up!
 
Crap... that is POOR............

MB:

Was there any collateral damage?
I'm almost surprised the chain didn't pack in and crack the engine housing ....:eek:

Jim
 
Crap OEM chain on 800GS

Ok guys, to put this in perspective.
I have owned over 50 bikes, I have had about 2/3rds offroad/enduro bikes.
I have never owned a shaft drive
I have never had a chain break on a bike, I have had some chains that were totally neglected and pretty much never lubed. They still lasted quite some time and under competition use.

To assess the state of wear in the chain I use to take it off and measure the drop in the chain while held horizontal (on it side with sideplates down).
If the droop was more than 1" the cahin was definately worn.
Some times I would just grab the chain on the bike and pull it sideways and see how far it moved.

I did a days offroad riding yesterday and checked the chain on my bike today.
More than 1" of sideways movement, which to my experience means the chain is cactus!.
This was the 1st time the bike has been offroad and the bike has only just done 780km's. 200km's offroad yesterday.

I have order a new DID heavy duty O ring chain today.

I am not going to even bother talking to BMW about there pathetic 'pushbike' chain they have put on a very pricey bike that is marketed as 'unstoppable'.
One ride offroad has nearly stopped it. I am not going to chance a chain breakage as it would definetely happen at the worst place/time.
My life is worth more than a new 'decent' chain.

My advise to anyone taking the F800GS offroad is to change the OEM chain for a quality chain ASAP. Dont wait till your sprockets are shagged as that will only highten the chance of the chain breaking.

To those with warranty claims in, good luck and I hope you get a better quality of chain under the warranty process.
I can only assume that the warranty is better than that we get here in Australia where the BMW service is crap and any warrantee queries are like being questioned over a child murder.

Ok I feel a little better now.. :mad:
 
well said!, im starting to think that KTM was a good idea, the rubish chain and poor suspension is only the begining of what is unfolding before my eyes, the suspension nearly broke both my wrists yesterday, bloody thing just bottomed out, not a fan.

i must get onto this D.I.D chain improvement asap, gee what dont we have to replace to support the offroad lifestyle?

cheers

Luke :thumb
 
chain snapped

jimbob59 said:
MB:

Was there any collateral damage?
I'm almost surprised the chain didn't pack in and crack the engine housing ....:eek:

Jim
Click to expand...

No, luckily both times it just wound itself of leaving the casing and my legs alone!! I will be keeping a very close eye on the chain now. As for replacing the chain with a better one, i see everyones point, however this is not what you expect from a brand new BMW, they are really letting thereselves down here, but i think BMW dont see a final drive ie 'the chain' being a part that needs to be top quality in the credit cruching cost cutting efforts. However i must say the customer services at Lind in Norwich is top class bike picked up and redelivered to Bury St Edmunds. No quibbles.
 
The OE chains, marked CZ, are naff :eek:

My first one was OK at 12,000 miles, but changed it 'in case' because I was going off roading in Morocco, including riding down there!

That broke at 6,000 miles even though it was showing little wear :eek:

Now on HD DID replacement :thumb

You'll find that your OE chain will show little wear, you're totally happy with it, then it will go on self destruct in a very short period of time :eek:

:beerjug:
 
indaba said:
Which DID chain is the correct replacement for the F800GS?

Thanks

Adrian
Click to expand...

Comes with 118 links, wants two taking out, you need a chain rivetting tool thingy :thumb
 

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indaba said:
Micky,

Thanks for the info - now to find a "chain rivetting tool thingy" :) - Slightly confused though - should the total length for the F800GS be 118 links or 116 links? (sorry but I am very very very dumb when it comes to these things)

Adrian
Click to expand...

The F800GS requires a chain with 116 links or 'pieces' so you need to take two out of the chain as purchased above. The chain comes with a joining link with side plates and 'x' rings and small sachet of very sticky grease.

Personally I'd remove the swing arm for no other reason than to repack the needle roller bearings with waterproof grease. They only have a very thin smear put on when assembled at the factory.

New sprockets with new chain don't forget. You need to know what you're doing with the rivetting tool... not rivetted securely and the chain will let go :eek: Too tightly and the links won't move as they should :eek:

:beerjug:
 
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