► Chains, oilers, sprockets

[indaba]

Adventure spec do the chain tool....

http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/...t-6-ultra-lightweight-chain-tool/prod_92.html

it's very handy. Not cheap but then neither is being stuck up some trail for hours on end

Thanks for the link - I already have (and am mightily impressed by) their trail tool so looks like another investment coming up if I can convince the financial advisor (i.e. wife)

Adrian

 

[FreerideRR]

Scottoiler VS Osco-oiler

For my new bike I would like to by a chain-oilsytem.
What is your opinion of the 2 systems.
Wich one should i buy and why???

 

[Fazza]

Hi

I bought the bike specific scottoiler and fitted it myself, not too difficult. the pros:it's made to fit, comes with bracket & vacuum plug. cons: bit pricy, bit small.

F

 

[Globerider]

CHAIN LIFE - GS800 weak chain

Have heard instances of chains snapping at around 10,000 miles, anyone had a problem or better still, anyone got 15,000 - 20,000 + miles from the standard chain yet!? With 11,000 miles to ride over to China this year - (& never having had bad experience of poor chain quality) slightly concerning info!
Not too keen on carrying spare heavy chain, but looks like I may need to.
Has anyone any top tips for who make the best, open ended ones (so that I can easily fit it on the road without removing swing arms!!) Have lost track of world of chains! Cheers

 

[Tim Cullis]

Given the possibility of damage if a chain snaps, I think the best idea would be to fit a new high-quality chain before you go. My chain was replaced at around 4500 miles and I have no confidence in the replacement.

Tim

 

[Micky]

My first chain did 13,000 miles with no probs. Replaced because I was riding down to Morocco for a likkle jaunt, otherwise it was totally servicable. The second chain did 6,000 miles ... and snapped

Correctly adjusted and lubed, it just snapped! BMW chains are marked CZ and made in Czechoslovakia, a country that hasn't existed as far as I know for quite a few years

Now replaced mine with a DID HD Professional chain so I don't really expect any problems

The original chains for the 650's were DID and then several years ago BMW started with the CZ's as OE and replacements. The first experiences were good, went for 11,000 miles with no problems and very little adjustment required, then suddenly it was knakt within less than 1,000 miles. Totally shot all of a sudden

As Tim says, fit a good quality chain afore ye go

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Do DID do an X-ring chain for your bikes yet ? as they are excellent. I'd also recommend fitting a Scottoiler. On a recent RTW, two of us on Dakars repeatedly extended our chains life by in excess of 50%.

 

[samuelsnow]

As said above Sgt I've fitted one!

We didn't use Scottoilers on our 650's, much preferred to use a good chain spray. Each bike did 20,000 miles on some of the crappiest roads possible, no roads, tracks and deserts, on the one set of chain and sprockets

what's your chain lube of choice? i've been told profi dry is good?

 

[Deano64]

I am using the Profi dry lube and it seems OK. Still haven't done a lot of miles though ~ 3000 in 11 months !!

 

[Micky]

what's your chain lube of choice? i've been told profi dry is good?

I use Polo (Germany) own brand, gets all the accolades, highly recommended by all the German mags etc. You can buy chain spray at half the price, but there's no waste at all with this. It absolutely doesn't fling off, keeps the back of the bike as clean as a shaft drive. The fan of the spray covers just both sides of the chain with none flying past on to the centre stand or floor.

After several hundred miles the chain rollers are still tacky, but yet no crap sticks

I bought a can while in Germany and was so impressed I now buy half a dozen cans each time I'm over there

 

[smokey]

Hi all, new here! I pick my new baby up this week and am very excited about it, however can't help but worry about the seemingly apparent chain problems.
Is it generally accepted that I ought to think about fitting a 'decent' chain asap? With or without sprockets?

I should keep some sprockets on your bike Smokey ... it'll go a lot better

Welcome to the land of UKGSer's ... get stuck in and make yourself at home

I would just run your 'bike in and enjoy. Keep your eye on the chain and when ready but a top quality one on

Good advice, thanks. And even better to see that on my very first post I managed to generate some ridicule! I think i'm going to like it here!

 

[Globerider]

Naff Chains

Reassuring to hear the general view is; dump the standard BMW chain then!
No real problem if you stay in Euroland, but venture further & sure we'd all rather to a chain change at home! I'll do a few k' on the std one & then grind it off.

Looks like this DID 525 is the one to use then. Planning on carrying couple of spare split links + if the other chain guys on the China ride have the same pitch, we may also carry a spare chain. (Yam XT 660 Tenere, new Triumph tiger & a Suzi'1200! what a mix hey!)

Only about 11,000 miles, so should be easy enough on a good n' tho' + never had a scotti' & not sure we'd get the oil in Kazakhstan? + easy enough to top up on eastern lupe, most places.

Just checking out splitters / riveter - if anyone any more top tips

 

[TERRY RYAN]

i have just dumped the bmw chain after my first one had a link break
and the second one didnt do my confidence any good
fitted a iris 525 gold dont know if its just me but the bike seems to ride alot smoother i.e dont feel it judder from back end if thats a good way to explain it


and as a woman said to me the gold chain matches the gold front forks

 

[martin c s]

i have just dumped the bmw chain after my first one had a link break
and the second one didnt do my confidence any good
fitted a iris 525 gold dont know if its just me but the bike seems to ride alot smoother i.e dont feel it judder from back end if thats a good way to explain it


and as a woman said to me the gold chain matches the gold front forks

Terry how do you know which iris chain to order, i just looked at a site and there were 86 iris 525 chains! Or does it become obvious the further into the site you get?

 

[Greggers]

If it helps I've just had a look and the site I've found (MP) has a long list, but there are only 3 types you need to look at ... the HTP 'O' ring, XR 'X' ring and the FB 'O' ring..

From what I can see, the difference between the two O ring chains is that the FB has a slightly higher tensile strength and some other anti-friction coating somewhere and is marginally heavier than the HTP.. The XRV is an 'X' ring chain, the benefits of the 'x' profile seals are alleged to be lower friction and smoother running.

MP sell it by link numbers hence the size of their listing - I don't know how many links the GS chain has - I've never bothered counting...

Any which way you look at it they're better than the PoS OE chains (doubtless manufactured from recycled surplus Polski-Fiat body panels) that BMW seem to think are appropriate... A decent chain is going to cost you around £80.00 which I think is a reasonable amount to pay to prevent the arseache of being stranded in the back-end of beyond waiting for BMW-Assist or the AA to come and rescue you.

Greg

 

[Koopz]

Can anyone tell me, are there any good quality X ring 525 116 chain or is the only option to modify a 118? If so where can I get one.

Also where can I get a matching high quality rear sprocket.

All of the examples that I have found only state 114 or 118, typical of BMW to keep you purchasing OE parts?

S

 

[TERRY RYAN]

I got the info from this site you need a 525 116 link chain
I went to my local enduro/sports dealer asked him for a chain of the above spec
which he got for me the chain had to be made to 116 so get a longer one
or get your dealer to fit for you

1 went for a iris chain cause the dealer could get me that brand and i read there website info

 

[moto1527]

I had the same thing with the back being squared off - more info in the tyres thread.

My chain is all shot to hell now at 12500 miles so it looks like a new DID chain and sprocket set for me theres another £150 of my hard earned gone) but i think this one will last much longer than the original rather poor quality chain in particular as i now have a dual sided oiler nozzle for the chain oiler

and yes my front tyre wore out before the back one did! (9500 miles)
12000 for the back (admittedly squared right off)


Moto

 

[samuelsnow]

Had the DID chain fitted by BMW last week. I have done approx 400 miles and it looks like it needs adjusting. is this normal for a brand new chain?

In my experience it is typical for a new chain to need ajusting after the first 300 - 600 miles as a "break-in" adjustment then at longer intervals after that....

Jim

Thanks Jim

 

[gareth041]

Hi All
Hi everyone.
Had my F800 GS two weeks on Friday, love it.
Got home, 71 Miles, , no rain.
Washed it, gently, no pressure washer, put it away, DRY.
Went in the garage to put some polish on four days later and was greeted with a lovely brown chain! BMW quality, not. Dealer is looking into it.
Any advice from you all most welcome?
Very unimpressed and ready to chuck the bike at them and go back to Japanese!
Sorry all,
Gareth.