Cheap and not so cheap chains

I hope the folks controlling the forum can put this on all the classic bike bits.

Some dealers are selling a cheap chain as "Classic Motorcycle Chain". One dealer even had it listed
as "European manufactured", fair play when I told them it was Chinese they did alter their web site.

Now I have no problem with cheap chain as long as the buyer knows what they are getting. If you
do 2-300 sunny miles then you can use anything but on seriously ridden machines then there can be
issues. I recently changed a chain on an Enfield that had done very little miles and was shot.

Two things......."made to European standard" means bugger all as every bit of crap out is made
to European standards and these cheap chains may not be so cheap.....the difference is around £10.

Andy

Did you ask precisely which European Standards? The cheap and nasty industrial chain perhaps.

European DIN 8187 or ISO 606.

It does not relate to a quality but to dimension and tolerance.

Dealers use it as it sounds impressive and makes the product appear
to be European.

Funny that Renold used to put "Made In England" or "UK" but not anymore. Iwis
is proud to announce on its packaging "German" yet the chains from China etc etc
have a lack of "made in" logos.

Just saying be careful.

Andy

Appreciate your educating me-us on chains Andy. I saw 120 link plain 530 chain for $25 each at bike show and 4 for $100 free shipping. I get ~6-8000 miles on best brand or cheap plain chain run bone dry before can lift links out valleys ~1/3. So ~25K miles per $100 is hard to beat in my conditions.
I of course thought of your posts so held off as ain't yet figured out the cost to mileage ratio for better drive chains on my clunker Combat. Peel will sport your drive chains though as stuck with 520 d/t the ITT sprocket. No quibbles on wisdom getting your primary and cam chains over any others.

Thanks for the comments Hobot.

As stated before the use of 520 (5/8 x 1/4) in place of 5/8 x 3/8 has several drawbacks when used on old Brit
bikes, the Commando is a good example. I have been asked for a chain on a Commando with a 22 tooth sprocket,
from the forum, I will sending the good old iwis M106SL (10B-1). Now with a 21 tooth sprocket the chain needs a
crank link as it is 99 links long. As far as I know nobody makes 520 crank links to fit 520, even Regina have stopped
producing them. If your bike needs odd links you will not get corrrect adjustment if you use an even linked chain.

On some bikes it is essential as both primary and rear chains need crank links and getting the adjustment between
the gearbox, primary and rear chain is almost impossible.

The cost of a very high quality chain with chromised pin, google chromised steel, is around £40 and yes I can also sell
a Chinese Elite chain for less than you currently pay ( I could do 4 chains for 80$). However I like to sleep at night.

I appreciate the lack of unbiased information regarding chains in USA and OZ and have offered to come over and do
the talk I have done to many clubs in UK and Europe which blows away the myths about chain, but they will need funding.
I contacted Barber 2 years ago offering to lecture on chain and did not even get a reply.

I have no problem with "cheap" chains as many bikes get so few miles it really doesnt matter but I do have major
issues with companies selling cheap chains as quality. I dont mind Chinese or Indian product, for goodness sake if you
knew how many components in your Mercedes, BMW etc etc were from Eastern suppliers you might get a shock, but
I do believe Joe puplic should know where the product is made so they can make an informed choice.

Andy

PS It is funny to note the comments about the advice on primary and cam chains being taken to heart, thank you,
but with regard to rear chain my advice is at best ingnored or at worse questioned. Dont panic I have the same
problem with other forums T160 etc and have even been banned from Triumph, good job my custmer base around
world trusts me and my 40 years chain knowledge.

OOPS JUST CHECKED TRIUMPH FORUM AND I AM BACK ON SORRY TRIUMPH

Hi Andy, quite happy with your good supply (two rear chains, and three cam chains), plus a good feedback ....hand up!

I set up Peel new rear wheel spacing/sprocket for 520 chain before I wised up on teeth wear then found out only 520 sprockets fit on TTI transmission so after I nub down or break off the alloy rear teeth and 'stretch' out the Reynolds x-ring I'll put on steel rim sprocket and track down Andy for a spool of the gooder kind.

Marin ta mate there are actually quite a lot who take me seriously.....christ knows why

Hobot the iwis 530 non oring is actually narrower than any 520 O ring and also most non O ring Jap chains.

It is also very light. Get you own sprockets made from blank platewheels 10B-1 if in UK or asa50 in USA.

Andy

Ok Andy almost skipped looking in again but putting off useful work is so easy for me. Ms Peel will have the widest scope flight envelopes of any cycle ever fielded but mainly in very gritty commuting use so cost wise may get a spool of cheap chain but also a few out yours in various lengths for competitive events with big changes in sprocket sizes. Please pm me or leave your private email here so I can get back with ya in a few seasons in case you get or kicked off list for self advertising or we just get tired of general resistance or negative reactions. I've got alloy teeth rear sprocket now to use up but new ones will have steel teeth rim on alloy center. Mass matters a lot on Peel reaction times so happy to know of your wise offerings. I've got a 6 foot section of shed wall that's got nails with many lengths of used up chain hanging from cycles to mower and don't know what to do with em all.

Hobot

Ditch the assortment as cons and spares could be a problem.

Just google The Chain Man and all my contact details are there.

I will happily send a chain and I am sure you will approve of it.

Andy

Ok cool. Just got a B30 Baja Doodle Bug with rather long run of chain but see the trick mod it a jack shaft with two chains to let the engine hit its power band for more grins and ability to charge up hills instead of stalling. After salt flats use may need to order for it too soon too.