X Ring Chain Phenomenon

[robs ss]

I have a 520 DID x-ring chain with bit over 7000 miles on it on my Mk2A 850.
A couple of days ago I was doing routine maintenance, which included the chain.
The tension on the centre-stand was fine (30mm play)
So did the usual degrease on a rag and allowed to dry before applying Motul C4 chain lube.
In doing so I noticed "hairs" protruding from some (5%?) of the links.
When I pulled them off it was obvious they were from the x-rings.
I have checked for eveness of wear, by pulling links away from the rear sprocket, but nothing appears abnormal.
Has anyone else seen this and have some (helpful) advice?
Cheers

 

[gforce]

What are you degreasing with?

Anything like MEK or Acteone will slowly break down the rubber - with x-rings, you usually see the edges of the wipers go first, and they look like little hairs exactly as you describe.

 

[robs ss]

What are you degreasing with?

Anything like MEK or Acteone will slowly break down the rubber - with x-rings, you usually see the edges of the wipers go first, and they look like little hairs exactly as you describe.

The degreaser (apparently) is not harmful to polymers (??) - but it's a generic car-shop product. It is a pressure pack though, so maybe the propellant is an issue?
Good point though - maybe I'll have to do a bit more work in selecting a chain cleaner.

Anyone recommend something good here? Maybe kerosene or diesel?

It obviously needs to leave a surface for the chain lube to cling to.

Cheers

 

[concours]

I only ever wipe the outside with a rag dampened with WD-40. Further cleaning is counter productive. Then anoint with the moly goodness.

 

[MexicoMike]

I installed the CNW 520 X ring chain kit some years ago. I have never lubricated the chain. As concours mentioned, I also clean it off with a damp WD40 rag occasionally but I do not add lubricant. External lubricant just attracts dirt/makes grinding paste.

 

[Mart UK]

I installed the CNW 520 X ring chain kit some years ago. I have never lubricated the chain. As concours mentioned, I also clean it off with a damp WD40 rag occasionally but I do not add lubricant. External lubricant just attracts dirt/makes grinding paste.

I'd guess you don't get much British style weather where you ride? Rust is the chain killer for me.

 

[ashman]

What about the rollers running over the sprockets a dry chain will make them wear quicker.

 

[MexicoMike]

My experience is that "well lubricated" standard chains (prior to my X chain) wore much faster and caused greater sprocket wear due to the lubricant collecting grit. I seldom got more than 5-6000 miles out of a standard chain that was regularly lubricated per recommendations. My 520 X ring chain has a bit over 20k miles and it (and the sprockets) look fine...

Again, this is MY experience. I have not tested a variety of chains or a variety of lubricants but with standard, non-sealed chains I used all the various common lubes over the years, from engine oil to whatever was claimed to the latest, greatest chain lube at the time.

 

[robs ss]

My experience is that "well lubricated" standard chains (prior to my X chain) wore much faster and caused greater sprocket wear due to the lubricant collecting grit. I seldom got more than 5-6000 miles out of a standard chain that was regularly lubricated per recommendations. My 520 X ring chain has a bit over 20k miles and it (and the sprockets) look fine...

Again, this is MY experience. I have not tested a variety of chains or a variety of lubricants but with standard, non-sealed chains I used all the various common lubes over the years, from engine oil to whatever was claimed to the latest, greatest chain lube at the time.

I find the Motul C4 (I think it's a wax?) doesn't collect grit like lubes used to in the days of yore.
I do think its a good idea to have an exterior lube to manage friction between the chain and sprocket - as @ashman mentioned above.
Cheers

 

[ashman]

My experience is that "well lubricated" standard chains (prior to my X chain) wore much faster and caused greater sprocket wear due to the lubricant collecting grit. I seldom got more than 5-6000 miles out of a standard chain that was regularly lubricated per recommendations. My 520 X ring chain has a bit over 20k miles and it (and the sprockets) look fine...

Again, this is MY experience. I have not tested a variety of chains or a variety of lubricants but with standard, non-sealed chains I used all the various common lubes over the years, from engine oil to whatever was claimed to the latest, greatest chain lube at the time.

You must be doing something wrong as I just use heavy duty chains and my last one I got over 40k miles out of it but my Norton threw the chain when sticking it into it from a set of lights, so I ordered a new chain from Andy the Chainman and to my surprise my old chain only threw the joining link so kept using it and when the new chain arrived I put the old chain beside the new one there wasn't that much stretch in the old chain, in fact I cut the new chain the same size as the old chain before fitting it, I maintain my chains and every service pull the chain off, soak in kero for a few hours, free up any tight spots after cleaning then socked in hot gear oil and after any long rides if the chain is dry I use chain lube when the chain is still warm after the ride, been doing this for 49 years with all my bikes and have always got long life out of all my chains, my old chain is hanging in the shed as a spare as its still useable.

Ashley

 

[MexicoMike]

Interesting! Your method is exactly the method I used in the "old days." Maybe I just bought inferior chains - back then I never paid any particular attention when I needed a new one, just bought whatever the local shop had and as cheap as possible. At that time, my Norton was my only vehicle! I'd have been tickled sh1xless to get 40k miles out of a chain!

 

[Derek Wilson]

I have been running the same o-ring chain since 2003. I never clean it, just hit it with some chain lube once a year to keep it slimy. Never have really had a noticable issue with grit collecting - maybe the continuous movement slings it off?? IDK

Think I may have adjusted it once - after a primary chain replacement.

Works for me.

 

[marshg246]

What about the rollers running over the sprockets a dry chain will make them wear quicker.

IMHO, if the rollers roll properly there should be minimal rubbing between them and the sprocket. A wet chain gathering road grime most likely will wear the sprocket more.

 

[YING]

After installing an x-ring chain about 5,000 miles ago all I have ever done to it is the occasional wipe with WD-40.No adjustments since original install and cleaner rear wheel.Happy with the switch
Mike

 

[ashman]

IMHO, if the rollers roll properly there should be minimal rubbing between them and the sprocket. A wet chain gathering road grime most likely will wear the sprocket more.

Well I have owned my Norton since new and in 46 years the sprockets have only been replace once and on my 4th chain (from Andy the Chainman) now, the first and original chain broke in 1979 when doing a big burn out, yes I know young and silly (19 at the time lol), my Norton was a everyday rider till 8 years ago and now is semi retired just like its owner, it has only been off the road for rebuild and conversation to the Featherbed frame, has well over 160k miles, so really doing maintenance and lubing the chain I think I have done well, and if ridden in rain or dusty roads the chain gets more attention, I am very fussy with my maintenance and do all my own work, my Triumph Thruxton 1200 has a O ring endless chain fitted but it still gets lubed and clean when needed have just clocked over 20k now and still as good as the day I bought the bike new back in 2018.
The last chain I bought from Andy the Chainman before he retired is still on the Norton and has well over 20k miles on it and still hasn't been adjusted since its been put on, so I think I will keep doing what I have always done, works for me.

Ashley

 

[Tornado]

I thought there was a chain width issue for x- or o-ring types fitting our Commando bikes? Wasn"t there a mod to the rear drum/sprocket required to permit a slimmer chain to fit and not interfer at the primary case end? I recall Hobot discussing/showing the self-machining of the primary case to force fit his ring-chain.

 

[MexicoMike]

"so I think I will keep doing what I have always done, works for me."

Always the best procedure! Do what you are comfortable doing!

 

[vidar hjelm johansen]

This is a direct replacement for the old original chain of my MK3.
There is not much space for the gearbox, but enough. I have been using this now for 2 years. It has not touched either the gearbox or the primary. I think I have approx. 2mm for the gearbox and more for the primary.
Vidar

 

[Skoti]

I have a 520 DID x-ring chain with bit over 7000 miles on it on my Mk2A 850.
A couple of days ago I was doing routine maintenance, which included the chain.
The tension on the centre-stand was fine (30mm play)
So did the usual degrease on a rag and allowed to dry before applying Motul C4 chain lube.
In doing so I noticed "hairs" protruding from some (5%?) of the links.
When I pulled them off it was obvious they were from the x-rings.
I have checked for eveness of wear, by pulling links away from the rear sprocket, but nothing appears abnormal.
Has anyone else seen this and have some (helpful) advice?
Cheers

Yes, I've the same "hairs" protruding from my DID 530VX fitted to an old CB750 Four, done about 8,000 miles in all weather and lubed often but never cleaned with solvent since I buggered my first '0' ring chain cleaning it with degreaser 30 years ago.

I'm informed DID chains are no longer the quality they used to be.

 

[robs ss]

Yes, I've the same "hairs" protruding from my DID 530VX fitted to an old CB750 Four, done about 8,000 miles in all weather and lubed often but never cleaned with solvent since I buggered my first '0' ring chain cleaning it with degreaser 30 years ago.

I'm informed DID chains are no longer the quality they used to be.

So... what brand/type do you fit nowadays?
Cheers