Author Topic: Iwis chain update  (Read 13518 times)

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2bikebill

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on: August 11, 2010, 09:38:57 pm
New chain arrived today. I could see straight away it was a beautiful piece of high quality German engineering. And what a difference from the piece of junk it's replaced!  Good grief  -  everything was flopping about loose in every direction on the old one! It was only a matter of time I think before something disastrous occurred. Quick and easy to fit, and did about thirty miles with it this evening, on a much happier bike. Way less grabby than I've become acclimatised to. It's loosened up a bit already - I'm assuming (hoping) this is normal for a new chain....  Is it....?
I also took the gizmos off and put the snails back on - way easier to adjust I find, and I also know that my wheels are aligned when the left snail is two notches further on than the left.   I dunno - there's so much more arsing around to do with those new gizmos. Is it just me?  Anyone in UK want a pair of gizmo adjusters a bit cheaper than new? Send a pm if so.
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #1 on: August 11, 2010, 09:59:22 pm
It's loosened up a bit already - I'm assuming (hoping) this is normal for a new chain....  Is it....?

Glad you got a new chain.  This is normal.  Expect to do a few adjustments in the first 500-1000 miles.  They should be fewer and farther between after that.  When they start getting frequent again prepare to go shopping again :)

I dunno - there's so much more arsing around to do with those new gizmos. Is it just me?

I was looking at them on the web page.  It seems much of your adjustment is taken up by the caps on the rear of the swingarm and how much they overlap the axle slot.  I think if you could cut them down you might have more room to pull the axle back with them.  Just a thought.

Scott


2bikebill

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Reply #2 on: August 11, 2010, 10:10:10 pm
There's about twice as much possible adjustment with the snails as with the gizmos - as you say, the things themselves use up a lot of the available space. This doesn't  matter with a new chain of course. But it's not that - they're just bloody awkward to get to with a spanner, or rather the RH one is, particularly with the upswept Goldie exhaust right in front of it, and the brake lever too. Plus I'm a bit obsessional about having the wheels lined up right. I did it with lasers so I know to always tighten up the LH snail 2 extra notches. This is trickier with the gizmos. Otherwise they do allow for precision when tensioning the chain I suppose, but that degree of precision probably isn't necessary. I just find the snails so simple to use. Perhaps I'll wait & see how things progess with the ongoing chain adjustment.
Thanks for the reassurance about early "stretching" of new chain.
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


luoma

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Reply #3 on: August 12, 2010, 12:10:01 am
When I got my RE, I expected the stock chain to need some early adjustment as all chains have some initial strethch. But it just kept stretching. At 13K I finally replaced it with a heavy duty Japaneese chain and am very happy with it. I could have used the Indian-made chain to bungee jump.


davem

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Reply #4 on: August 12, 2010, 12:15:08 am
Will you need a box spanner for your gizmos


Chris-G5

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Reply #5 on: August 12, 2010, 12:52:43 am
Will, is it an o-ring chain? what length? I'm needing to replace my chain on my G5.


2bikebill

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Reply #6 on: August 12, 2010, 08:12:46 am
No box spanner required for the gizmos - see Hitchocks website if UK, or Nfield gear if USA.
It's not O-ring chain. It's 530 standard chain, 101 links.
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singhg5

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Reply #7 on: August 12, 2010, 07:22:10 pm
With the snales back on and a new chain - I guess you are ready to outpace a turtle  ;) I meant a hare !
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singhg5

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Reply #8 on: August 12, 2010, 10:52:12 pm
It's not O-ring chain. It's 530 standard chain, 101 links.

Can any knowledgeable person explain a little bit about chains and answer three  questions below ?  D.I.D. sells 530 size chains of different strengths and Wear-Life.  

Type                        Tensile Strength (lbs.)     Wear Life Index*

Standard
530                                     7,200                           100


Super Non-O-Ring
530 HZ                              8,600                             410


Professional O-Ring
530V                                9,600                            2,540

Gold Premium X-Ring
530VM                             9760                              3,630


Wear Life Indicator is relative number that indicates how long they will last under similar conditions of use.

1.   Which of these DID chains is comparable to a stock chain in G5 in USA ?
 
2.   Can anyone compare these four brands -  Iwis  vs. DID  vs EK vs Tsubaki chain quality and performance ?  Each brand may have further Types (as listed above for DID) and if you know about them too ?

3.  Which one would you recommend for G5 - The one that WillW used is an obvious good one but is there another one that you know is pretty good one ?

THANKS.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2010, 11:27:16 pm by singhg5 »
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t120rbullet

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Reply #9 on: August 12, 2010, 11:32:56 pm
The G5 stock chain would be the "standard" chain.
I've been using Tsubaki QR chain on Enfields for years with no problems. About 40 bucks and they last about 10K with proper maintenance.
Just about any chain would handle the whopping 25 HP these things put out. Anything more is a waste. 
CJ
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #10 on: August 12, 2010, 11:47:16 pm
First off, just about any well known name brand is probably better than the stock one.  Even the low end model.

1. The non-o ring models are probably both the same size as the stocker.  Both are probably way better in quality.  The x/o-ring models are wider to fit the rings in there.  DID is a very good chain.  Good materials and tight tolerances.

2. DID is better from EK from what I've heard but I'm sure both are way better than the stocker.  Don't know about IWIS.

3. This is where I spend all the money I can.  Money largely does buy quality here and changing the chain and sprockets is a pain, better to do it less often.  I change them all together.  Again, maybe overkill but gives me the longest life from all parts.  X-rings seal better, last longer, and have less friction than o-rings.  X/o-ring chains last longer mostly because try as we may, most of us suck at cleaning and lubing the chain.  Also, they don't get water in the bearing surfaces when it rains.  On the flip side,when one link goes bad the chain is done, no way to get new lube in there.  I would go for the high end x-ring chain.  It's overkill but will last longest in reality.  I put it on my last bike and will use it on the C5 when I'm done with the original.

BUT it may not fit your bike.  It seems the G5 may not have enough clearance to fit the
wider girth of an o-ring chain.  If you can pick one up locally try to link it to your old chain with the master and pull it through.  If it doesn't fit get a good quality non x/o-ring chain and clean and lube it well.

Big singles and twins are hard on chains.  I guess it's the fewer big hits of the piston compared to the more frequest but smaller on multi cyclinder bikes.  Pay for a good chain.

Scott


singhg5

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Reply #11 on: August 13, 2010, 12:03:33 am
CJ and Scott:

Appreciate your input and replies.  Interesting that Iwis is German and all the rest i.e., DID, Tsubaki and EK are Japanese.

DID 530 Super Non O-ring for 110 links is $68.
DID 530 Standard for 110 links is $34
Tsubaki 530 QR Series for 110 links is $35
EK 530 Standard for 110 links is $32.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #12 on: August 13, 2010, 12:46:54 am
Keep in mind you'll need a tool to break the chain down to the length you need.  You may also need a tool to rivet the master link if it's not a clip type.  I'm sure all those you listed will be as good or better than the original.  Also, Iwis sounds good from what was mentioned here on the board.

As to the Japanese and Germans, two obsessive cultures.  No coincidence that both are know for outstanding craftsmanship :)

Scott


Maturin

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Reply #13 on: August 13, 2010, 02:02:01 am
I´m not sure if the x- or o-ring chains are best suited, they do cost power and the bullet produces horses not exactly in greater flocks.
Another problem could occur when indian sprockets and chain wheels meet precise, obsessive, unforgiving  japanese/german chains - especially the sprocket may have a short, hard live, and with this part worn out the rest will follow quickly. The alternative may be using the dirt cheap indian parts and change more often, probalbly that is the cheapest solution.
IWIS is a Munich company and supplies - among other things - camshaft drive chains for Mercedes & BMW. So I guess they have to manufacture superior quality because they are probably more expensive than the competitors. What can I say: support your local dealer  ;D
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qgolden

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Reply #14 on: August 13, 2010, 03:21:04 am
Actually that is an excellent point.  I would think one would not want the chain harder than the sprockets....
Any other Enfields in New England?