Author Topic: Ditch your stock chain!  (Read 16983 times)

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Boots

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on: June 15, 2013, 04:21:35 am
Greetings Riders,

Today I discovered that my stock chain had a slight kink in one of the links... and had been throwing a rust colored dust all over the rear wheel and exhaust.
Also, a nut had fallen off the bike.

I was all the way up the mountain (40 min. ride) at Alice's Restaurant when I noticed! Zoinks!

I eased down the mountain and made my way over to the dealership where they proceeded to give me the "these are the crappiest chains" lecture. The mechanic showed me the old stock chain and it was stiff as hell with more than a few kinks in it.

In any event, I got an O-ring chain and feel much better now. I was really lucky. If you haven't done so, please upgrade your chain so you don't get stuck up on some mountain.
Boots

2012 Royal Enfield B5 ~ The Raven ~
Ya, I know it's slow. But I've always been a little slow. (budump bump!)


wildbill

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Reply #1 on: June 15, 2013, 04:56:41 am
i'd say any chain is better than the standard job plus the advantage of buying a good quality one - not as many chain adjustment required.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #2 on: June 15, 2013, 05:05:55 am
+1 to all the above.

Scott


Portland Bullet

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Reply #3 on: June 15, 2013, 05:45:57 am
Sir, I have read your missive and will follow suit (well, actually Scotty told me the same in no uncertain terms).
Yours in Bullets, etc.
The Portland Bullet
To Dream, to Live, to Ride

2011 B5 Bullet 500cc


hortoncode3

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Reply #4 on: June 15, 2013, 01:05:09 pm
Yup, it's a word to the wise...! Buy new Enfield, toss chain IMMEDIATELY. If I had done that I would still have my stock sprockets. There's a reason O-ring chain costs so much..it's WORTH it.


ERC

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Reply #5 on: June 15, 2013, 03:42:50 pm
Maybe you should have lubed it once in awhile.  ERC
2-57 Apaches, 2-57 Trailblazers, 60 Chief, 65 Interceptor, 2004 Bullet, 612 Bullet chopped.


Boots

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Reply #6 on: June 15, 2013, 03:45:13 pm
The rust colored dust was actually coming from the chain itself. I did lube the chain four times and had it adjusted once. When the mechanic lifted it up to show me, instead of hanging down straight, it was all stiff and kinked like an old bicycle chain that had been out in the backyard for years. I'm surprised it didn't snap and feel truly blessed that the Motorcycle Gods had been watching over me.

My only hope now is that after 5,700+ miles I didn't do any real damage to the sprockets (I also have the countershaft sprocket upgrade).

Forgot to mention one thing... while waiting at the dealership I met another fellow Bullet Rider, a really nice guy, aptly named Guy. He had a 2011 black and white C5 that was seriously modified/customized. Guy, if you happen to be part of this forum and chance upon reading this post, do chime in!
Boots

2012 Royal Enfield B5 ~ The Raven ~
Ya, I know it's slow. But I've always been a little slow. (budump bump!)


avandr

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Reply #7 on: June 15, 2013, 09:39:34 pm
My 2012 C5 came with an O ring chain, I wipe my chain over every 500kms with a rag soaked in diesel fuel, dry off and then use a spray on dry lube. Have only done 2500 kms however chain seems fine. What is the general concensus on the stock O ring chain?
Thanks in advance


Royalista

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Reply #8 on: June 15, 2013, 11:10:42 pm
@Boots:
As stock chains ain't top yours's worth a price, raspberry nature.
Mine did hurt the sprocket but it was replaced under warranty.

@avandr:
I have the o-ring chain of a C5 on my electra for a good 9000 km (a bit under 6000 M) now. No complaints nor remarks. These are good.
Bonus: one does not have to change the front sprocket as these o-ring chains are a tat slimmer and fit just fine.
moriunt omnes pauci vivunt


mattsz

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Reply #9 on: June 15, 2013, 11:18:25 pm
As stock chains ain't top yours's worth a price, raspberry nature.

ummmmm... huh?


Boots

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Reply #10 on: June 16, 2013, 12:44:52 am
Autocorrect?
Boots

2012 Royal Enfield B5 ~ The Raven ~
Ya, I know it's slow. But I've always been a little slow. (budump bump!)


The_Rigger

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Reply #11 on: June 16, 2013, 02:15:17 am
My 2012 C5 came with an O ring chain

Really? Mine didn't.  :(

S'okay; I have a nice DID #530 X-ring chain poised to replace the stock chain, as soon as I get her home from the dealer.

...Which it appears will finally hapen Monday morning. :D
-Dave
2012 C5 Special
Central Michigan, USA (when I'm not working somewhere else)


Sectorsteve

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Reply #12 on: June 16, 2013, 03:05:28 am
About a month after a service my sprocket lost15 teeth. This chain was lubed etc.id agree. Ditch it ASAP.


mattsz

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Reply #13 on: June 16, 2013, 02:19:11 pm
Autocorrect?

Not sure, Boots, but I think I'm going to start adding the phrase "raspberry nature" to my regular vocabulary.  It has a nice ring to it...


Royalista

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Reply #14 on: June 16, 2013, 10:01:05 pm
Ouch, embarrassing when a pun misfires. ::)
Raspberries as in the Oscars alternate for obvious failures.
Boots' chain reached new heights imo.
moriunt omnes pauci vivunt