Damn Chain

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by RVFR, Sep 18, 2008.

  1. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Well Hell, I really thought I would have got a few more miles on a high end chain. It Hasn't been two years and only 12K on this new RK chain and now it's going to shits faster than expected. It started out as looking like it just needed a good cleaning as it was making a orange red color. I have a good idea what it is, it's from the micro scopic metal shavings from the rollers as one can't re lube them from deep inside, but one will also see this if one doesn't lube the chain from time to time, as it will come from the side plates as well. Well that's what I thought at first as this all started back on the end of the 1800 mile road trip back in June, I only lubed the chain once on the trip as it looked good plus it didn't need any adjusting, so figured all was good, what I didn't know was deep inside the rollers where going to the crapper. so after a good cleaning and a lube figured I was good to go ha-ha, after a couple trips here and there locally I see this sign again that something is not right, Hmm, okay another cleaning and lube. Now mind ya, since the first time and now I've gone maybe 100 miles and again the chain looks good other than the color it was making which I knew what it was from but was hoping it was the side plates not getting good and slippery. Fast forward to today, this has been going on now for the last two months figured it wasn't going to last much longer so had it in mind as a winter project, ha! Went on a small trip to the coast and back 250-300 miles, when I got back and coasted in the drive way you could hear the chain, sounded like popcorn, snap-crackle-pop, wasn't a good sign. Got of checked it out. now here is a funny thing, threw the vfr on the center stand and reached down to check the chain by hand, went and touched the chain for tension sloop, not only was it super tight but hotter than all get out, Go figure wasn't that way when I left, really had it in mind it would at least make it till the riding season for the most part was over, Nope not going to happen so being very disappointed it was time to lay out the cash for a chain. When I told another riding friend here about the ordeal he informed me he was pretty sure RK has a warranty, Really? wow that be cool cause the new chain was going to run $149 plus. Sure enough after a call to RK America sure enough there is a 20K mile warranty that's pro rated, so now a new chain is on the way free shipping and only $79 out of pocket. I say way to stand behind a product, top notch customer service, even thou I'm disappointed I didn't get the millage out of this one, RK stood behind it, that and they even up graded the chain too. I say Nice. Here's a photo of what it looked like just last week after the ride. So if your chain is looking like this, you best be on guard.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. nunyadamnbiz

    nunyadamnbiz New Member

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    Way to go RK America...but wait a minute, didn't you only get like 200 miles out of that chain, better get it re pro rated....just kidding thats awesome they did that no questions asked. Dumb question, but you are checking your chain tension with the bike on the side stand, and checking it in multiple places (slack spots, and tension spots) right. I have noticed that the "top end" chains sometimes are just a "slight" notch above the "cheap" chains...ok enough """""""" for me....later
     
  3. nunyadamnbiz

    nunyadamnbiz New Member

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    btw, the color of that chain looks to me like its really heated up more than just a few times, might want to see or check if you've been riding with a really tight chain a lot...just a thought, what color was the chain new..silver, gold, etc.
     
  4. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    It's a gold chain. What you see is rust dust from the pins wearing out. it wipes right off. I have the old chain off and was playing / checking for wear on each link. I found many dry and totally worn to the point where you could get a good 1/16 on two links and the side play was way off the mark even thou the side plates all look good. The conclusion came that even thou chain wax is great for the rollers it doesn't have the penetrating value to get down in the pins. So I just got what RK recommended, even thou they too like the chain wax concept of no fling no mess, but it looks like it comes at a cost. So this chain is only going to see this new Maxima synthetic lube and we'll just see what the difference is.
     
  5. Yosh70

    Yosh70 New Member

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    Just a quick suggestion....when you post a long story like that maybe break it up into a few paragraphs.....makes it a lot easier to read.
     
  6. Stranger

    Stranger New Member

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  7. nunyadamnbiz

    nunyadamnbiz New Member

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    Now does this just clean the chain, or lube it too. I have never seen a cleaner + lube all in one. Let me know how that Maxima stuff works, we carry that at our shop, but again I've always used the chain wax, no mess, no fuss. But like you were saying before no penetration power....no penetration, no good....


     
  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    It surely does not look healthy. I've used an RK gold chain before on my FJ and have been pleased with its performance. Personally I don't like the chain wax, just doesn't seem to do a good job IMO. Disappears too quickly. I use 80/90 gear lube and a Hawke oiler.

    If that were my bike I'd take a very close look at the sprockets too, that chain looks way too dry to be doing the sprockets any good.
     
  9. Stranger

    Stranger New Member

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    The first time I used this stuff, I cleaned at the back wheel only by spinning and spraying the chain. I noticed that it was lifting every bit of dust off the chain and sprockets. I cleaned, wiped away excess and then lightly sprayed again wiping off the excess. After the first time my wife rode the bike I checked the chain again and looked closely at the front and rear sprockets. Again all the dust and old wax had been lifted and thrown onto the surrounding parts. This again was cleaned off and a light spray applied.

    Now because I live in a dry dusty country, we lube almost every time we ride but this can pick up the dust if you are using wax. This last 1000 km trip we took had no pick up at all and the chain and sprockets remained clean. The stuff seems to soak in rather than sitting on top. I know this stuff is used on chain saw chains which you do not want to clog up. they claim that it will penetrate to the X or O rings and not perish them as an ethonol based lube would. I would recomend it, and it cleans better than parafin or diesal.
     
  10. flameface

    flameface New Member

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    My RK chain went south in a hurry also. Couldn't afford a new one so I bought a $26 non-O-Ring dirt bike chain to get me through November. I'll do a chain and sprockets over the winter but I'm all done with buying RK products. Anyone have an alternate that has worked and worn well?
     
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