How to tell when a chain is done

Do you go by the stock markings on the chain guard or some other method? Mechanic is telling me even though the chain is past the limit marked on the honda sticker, that it is ok.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

If the slack on the chain are even all around with no kink then you should be ok. I would change my if it was me, cannot be cheap on the chain and sprockets. You will have to pay much more if that chain broke while riding. Ugly very ugly...........

 

I have to say that the sticker is a pretty poor method of determining the condition of the chain. The tech has the benefit of looking at all the factors, including chain stretch and sprocket wear before he made his determination that it was ok so I would follow his recomendation for now.

I also have to agree with Long in that the chain is a critical component. Maintain it and keep an eye on it closely. When it and the sprockets appear worn, buy good stuff to replace them.

 

Do the sprockets look like worn cowboys spurs? I replace chain/sprockets as one all the time on my stuff!

adjust cold and see what it looks like at mid-length...Tight spots, you need to find what's not tight and whats tight...

why cheap out? buy a good chain and sprockets...nuff-sed...:smile:

 

An old courier trick we used to use & still valid today, a chain if looked after will last 2 front & 1 rear sprocket.
If you think about it a chain makes 2.5-3 times as many contacts on the front sprocket as the rear & has a harder time on the small radius, so when you buy a new chain & sprockets get 2 fronts & change the front half way through its life & if the rear is reversible, then turn it at the same time.

The quickest way to wreck a new chain is to put it on old sprockets !

 

Rear sprocket looks fine, I will take pics when I see it. Dealer had to send 2 faring out for repair before giving me the bike, since they dropped it lol (before I bought, used 5th gen).

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

Can't argue with any of the above suggestions, but I'll put my 2 cents into it anyways.

What we were instructed at MMI was that if the chain is slack after extending to the sticker red zone, then you should consider replacing it because it's down to less than 1000 miles useable life expectancy. The last thing that you want to do is send a customer out on a bike with a major safety issue, after all when a chain decides it's done it's not going to do it sitting still in the parking lot of the closest dealer.

That said, when you change out the chain you're already paying for the tire being taken off and the installation of the chain. It takes an average of an additional .5 labor time to swap a sprocket on the front & rear. Totally worth it when you think that a worn sprocket may reduce the life of that new chain by up to 25% depending on how it wore in. When you're talking about a lifetime of 5-7k miles, that's nearly 1,750 miles you're chopping off your purchase price, right?

Also, with the sticker thing. If you're doing your own maintenance (as most of us on here do) when your chain extends beyond that mark make a habit to adjust your chain every 200-250 miles. The more slack you have the worse it's going to wear when it gets that 'stretched'. When the chain starts hanging up on the sprockets (IF it lasts that long) you must replace it - no if's, and's or butt's.

Safe riding!

 

F it ill just replace them after I get it back from the dealer. Best sprockets and chain available for a 2000? I want to keep it as a 530 for longevity unless 520 is really worth it.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

How many miles on the chain and how was it cared for? Great inputs here. If the slack is uneven, I would just replace it for the peace of mind.

 

Once the chain is off the bike, side flexing shows the amount of pin and roller wear. A new chain hardly bows at all.

Some other reasons to replace a chain are kinked links, missing O-rings, rust-pitted rollers, pulls backward too far from the sprocket. Good quality new chains are usually fine for around 20,000 mi.

 

I agree!!! If you can pull the rear chain off off the counter sprocket to view more than half of the teeth, you have a problem!...any-whoo..its, very nice riding weather here and I have a fuked-up-ice-hunching-back...any-wh000...

 

No idea bike is used from the dealer, will check all these things once I get the bike.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

Now that you know, check for a bad chain BEFORE purchase cuz if it is bad, the seller should set you up with a new chain or lower the price. A set of sprockets and a quality, name-brand chain are going to cost between $160-$175, in that area if you do it yourself and have use of the proppa tool to install and dimple an endless link.

 

I did check it before I bought, helped me get $500 knocked off. Dealer also repaired the farings, replaced the steering head bearings, free Labour on a front tire swap etc.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

i like the bow-flex test squirrel. also you can lay the chain on floor and push all the links towards one end to compress the chain and measure the entire length. Then fix one end and pull at the other end with a 10 lb force to elongate all the links and measure that entire length. If the difference in lengths is more than D percent then it is worn out.

 

When it is stretched beyond the tolerance. Pretty simple.

 

If the mechanic works at the dealership that is selling it he will more than likely tell you its okay. I would just ask them to put a new chain and sprockets on before you get it. They should anyway for the sale. If not they should at least give you a good discount.

 

Thanks, I'll try. What is the best available option for longevity? Unless 520 lasts longer?

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2

 

I went with stock size. But tried the best x-ring chain I could get and used steel sprockets. Aluminum sprockets wear out very fast compared to steel. I think the longevity of your drive system depends on how well you maintain it. Good luck and enjoy your new bike

 

530 DID X ring will last you 20k miles
Which is about 5 years for some of you snow birds............
ound: