Renold Chain Discussion (Split From Another Thread)

[ClassicChainsGuru]

I am running a cheapish EK Standard (Enuma) jap chain EK 428 76 link R332 with no issues ,probably from RGM/Norville think the size is0.5x0.335x0.305ins ,worth checking your engine sprocket teeth number in case its geared up. STD chain for 650 is 76 links. I think Reynold is now French and very basic standard.Worth buying a spare spring link at the same time,they wear faster.

Hi Norton Bob, I've read your comments about the quality & source of Renold chain & somewhat bemused as to where you get your information from. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but when you start putting such opinions & comments across as fact, you're going to come unstuck. It was particularly amusing to see you recommend German chains when our chain is in fact made in.... Germany.

The basic standard chain you're referring to is most likely the industrial low speed stuff but with no facts, photos & such to refer to, I can't really comment on whatever chains you've been sold in the past as being motorcycle chain.

Renold have many chain specifications in their catalogue & for years, some very unscrupulous dealers have been selling the really cheap stuff as being suitable for motorcycles. Externally & to the typical rider, these chains look identical & if you do go for the cheap stuff, it's not going to do you any favours.

Personally, I prefer to use a belt on my primary if available but have never had a problem with Renold chain.
I'm more than happy to enlighten anyone as to Renold chain facts but right now, I can't comment on anything we may or may not be working on.

 

[L.A.B.]

I've read your comments about the quality & source of Renold chain & somewhat bemused as to where you get your information from.

Probably from anyone who has bought a recent Renold chain.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but when you start putting such opinions & comments across as fact, you're going to come unstuck. It was particularly amusing to see you recommend German chains when our chain is in fact made in.... Germany.

OK, so here's my opinion, it's those who have bought a 'modern' Renold chain that have come unstuck by buying Renold in the belief they are getting a high-quality chain instead of what amounts to a basic chain so are paying over the odds for the 'Renold' name. Although the current Renold 10B is made in Germany (by A&S) if you read comments on the Internet you'd know others are of the same opinion that Renold chain is not that good.

The rate of wear of the last (and only) blue box Renold chain I bought when fitted to new sprockets certainly gave cause for concern so it was replaced after only a few hundred miles with an IWIS 10B (from Andy the chain man).

I'm more than happy to enlighten anyone as to Renold chain facts

Also, in my opinion, self-proclaimed 'gurus' and their efforts to enlighten us poor souls with their 'facts' should be avoided like the plague.

 

[jbruney]

Amen.

 

[norton bob]

Thanks for your comment L A B. Ref chains. I posted information only because asked for re sizes and link numbers. One can only usefully comment on actual personal experience (and when no axe to grind!). I have had a Genuine Made In England Reynolds chain on a 99 for Decades ,always well adjusted ,clean and regularly bathed in LMP graphited grease with brushed on EP90 between baths. Living in a modified enclosed case with engine oil breathed on it and light classic use , it would probably still be serviceable. I ordered a "Quality Reynolds chain" from a well known Uk Norton supplier. What turned up was an unknown ( to me) make replacement as the Reynolds Bulk delivery from france had not appeared. The new chain was left in a drawer for years ,but appears to be satisfactory for my type of use. Time will tell. Its also very difficult to be credible when endorsing your own merchandise. I have learnt to avoid products from China ,and favour Japanese or German makers ,sourcing a quality product is a lottery. The only worthwhile recommendation is from a fellow rider/club member who has given you good advice in the past. Just fitted a "Genuine Lucas" alternator made in the far East!!.

 

[ClassicChainsGuru]

Probably from anyone who has bought a recent Renold chain.

Also, in my opinion, self-proclaimed 'gurus' and their efforts to enlighten us poor souls with their 'facts' should be avoided like the plague.

You're entitled to your opinion as much as anyone & for all such negative comments, I receive vastly more positive comments in comparison. As for your statement of myself being a self-proclaimed guru, that's purely my handle based on what I've ended up being referred to by those I've helped over the years. However, having started with Renold in 1983, I have more than a passing knowledge of our chains than the typical keyboard warrior or "bloke down then pub"

I'm sorry for you having a bad experience with whatever chain you used but when I've read some of the downright lies written on these forums & many others, I've waded in as diplomatically as I can with the facts that I know.

As far as I recall, I've never once claimed that Renold blue box is the best although I have with Synergy which is not allowed for use on bike by Renold.

I'll close for now by stating another fact that 2020 is going to be a very interesting year for bike chains.
I'll say no more on the subject but don't write off Renold motorcycle chains yet.

 

[norton bob]

It seems I was wrong, Reynold chain not made in France apparently. They do have chain made in China and India, not that I'm filled with joy about that.I suspect that the current low opinion of many is due to the Main Norton suppliers in the past stocking a cheaper standard grade of chain ,not really up to the job. I wonder how many on this forum are aware of the grading standards and buy a suitable grade Reynold chain? If not whose fault is that?.

 

[Mark Savage]

After I bought my Commando I had a good look at a few things, one being the Renold chain.
Just as well I did. I replaced it with an IWIS from Andy the chain man.

 

[desmo]

last Renold chain i used was on a,ducati 900ss bevel it was the heavy duty grand prix one , i was so disapointed it stretched everytime i went out for a run
ive found japanese the best and the indian ones arent too bad either on old bikes , ive had an Ek one one my vintage enfield outfit for 25 years , primary is original renold almost 90 years old

 

[ClassicChainsGuru]

After I bought my Commando I had a good look at a few things, one being the Renold chain.
Just as well I did. I replaced it with an IWIS from Andy the chain man.
View attachment 13834

I'm curious to know how well this chain was looked after before you spotted this chain damage as from your comment "After I bought my Commando I had a good look at a few things, one being the Renold chain." it implies that it was in this condition when you bought the bike. Surely if this was the case, you can't really judge the chain based on no knowledge of how well it was maintained by the previous owner.

 

[Mark Savage]

I'm curious to know how well this chain was looked after before you spotted this chain damage as from your comment "After I bought my Commando I had a good look at a few things, one being the Renold chain." it implies that it was in this condition when you bought the bike. Surely if this was the case, you can't really judge the chain based on no knowledge of how well it was maintained by the previous owner.

In my post I didn't pass any judgement of the chain, I wrote I was glad I checked it.
I had no idea how well it was maintained at all, just that it was adjusted correctly, clean and lubed at the time of purchase. I didn't even meet the previous owner.
It's just one of the checks along with brakes, tyres, fastners, suspension etc. that you can do in more detail after the bike gets home. It's true I didn't spot it before I bought it of course.

In the past I have worn out chains but never seen a cracked link plate. More than likely it's one of those chains not fit for bike use. I just binned it and bought a new one from Andy as I know he sold a quality product.

 

[ClassicChainsGuru]

Thanks for the clarification. Just to set things straight, I want to make it clear that I'm not blindly pushing Renold chain because I work for them. I've been bemused by Renold dropping direct involvement & interest with motorcycles for a very long time but 4 years ago, I started my personal campaign to research public experiences to get current management to reconsider & look into creating motorcycle specific chains again. Since Renold dropped out of direct dealing, the chains you've been buying via Velocette -> classic dealers have been all that's available.

The last new motorcycle chain we designed was GP & although I've seen the odd negative comment about it, it's this chain that was successfully used by all the greats with no problems. I won't say this will be the new last motorcycle chain we design though so for now, all I can say is don't write Renold off yet. Yes, the market was essentially abandoned when Meriden shut in 1983 but as with all British businesses in the 80s, management didn't think very far ahead & time slipped by.

All I'm keen to do at present is put a stop to all the rumours, hearsay " bloke down the pub" gossip & open a dialogue with any classic bike rider interested. If people have had a good or bad experience, I want to hear details & analyse facts so I can petition the subject further from within.

 

[Eljahara]

All I'm keen to do at present is put a stop to all the rumours, hearsay " bloke down the pub" gossip & open a dialogue with any classic bike rider interested. If people have had a good or bad experience, I want to hear details & analyse facts so I can petition the subject further from within.

Perhaps a new thread examining that issue is appropriate so that Tom’s 650 thread is not hijacked with a discussion on Reynolds chains.
John

 

[norton bob]

I too have bought from Andy with no issues. It all seems a bit Hit/Miss though. Calling your product super Duty Race chain with a picture of a race bike on the box is not good enough to convince ME. Something a bit more scientific is needed ,and WE need to get educated.

 

[kommando]

I've been bemused by Renold dropping direct involvement & interest with motorcycles for a very long time but 4 years ago

Says it all, Renold do not see motorcycles as a market and nothing has changed other than you asking them to change 4 years ago, and with no result 4 years later why would anyone buy a Renold chain.

 

[Triton Thrasher]

Renolds’ reputation was trashed by the Renold chains we bought.

If “Guru” thinks he can regain a good reputation, then best of luck, but he’ll only do it by supplying better products, not by boasting on the internet or trying to belittle “the man down the pub” who paid good money for crappy Renold chains.

I could be called a “classic bike rider,” but like Mr LAB above, I found a good chain in the IWIS and I’ll probably stick with it.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Says it all, Renold do not see motorcycles as a market and nothing has changed other than you asking them to change 4 years ago, and with no result 4 years later why would anyone buy a Renold chain.

I agree with this. If Renold don’t want to be in the motorcycle business, that is their prerogative. But I am bemused by the fact that we end up debating Reynolds chains still!

If Renold do not currently make motorcycle chain, then surely folk should buy elsewhere?

Even when they did, they caused controversy. My own experience with Renold GP is similar to that posted above; I had to adjust it almost every ride!

The IWIS from Andy (now Jason) is VASTLY superior, it’s not expensive, it fits, the service is great and they hardly seem to need adjustment.

If and when Renold start making motorcycle chains again please let us know. But they’d better be good cos the bar is high these days!

 

[Triton Thrasher]

And nobody owes Renolds loyalty or anything else. They used it up!

 

[ludwig]

The last Renolds chain I used was a Synergy chain.
Although correctly lubed, after less than 1000 km several links were locked solid.
Now I use DID 520 VX2

 

[cash]

The last Renolds chain I used was a Synergy chain.
Although correctly lubed, after less than 1000 km several links were locked solid.
Now I use DID 520 VX2

I never used any other chain than Renolds until they began marketing Synergy and I had the same problems as you and a slight but annoying buzz in the bars. AndyChain told me Renold don't make motorcycle drain anymore, so I phone them and sure enough they confirmed they don't and didn't seam to bloody care. The chain I bought off Andy is still on the bike.
Dave

 

[Matchless]

Like Ludwig I stopped wasting time & money. I now fit DID VX2 X ring chains to anything with more than 40 HP. The 920 is fitted with a 520 & has needed just two slight adjustments in almost 8000 miles. My Hinckley Trident 900 does 20,000 miles to each 530 DID. The two worst chains I have ever used were a Iwis which started to seize links at 1000 miles, & a Regina non O ring which needed adjusting every ride & was scrap after 4000 miles.
If Renold started to make a good quality sealed motorcycle chain in England I would be happy to try one out, but until that happens the Japanese will get my custom.

Martyn.