My 92 FJ has 90,000 miles on it. PO reportedly replaced the chain just prior to my purchase in March of 2009. I can't speak for the brand or quality of the chain, but it seems to be of at least marginal quality, if not better than. I never thought to count the number of teeth on the sprockets, but I can say that at 75 mph on the speedometer (70 on my GPS), the bike is turning exactly 4500 rpm on the tach. I'm thinking that it's close to stock gearing.
My question is this: how often do most of you adjust your chain tension? I ride my bike to work 3-5 days each week, about 48 miles each way. I'm not accelerating hard or thrashing on it in any way, maintaining a clean 70 mph most of the time in order to ensure some economy and to avoid interaction with the local constabulary. I'm finding that I need to adjust my chain tension about every 800 miles or so, which is about every 2-3 weeks. I'm lubing the chain with each adjustment, and although I can't recall the product I'm using, I remember it being somewhat expensive and well recommended by the wonks at the local bike shop.
Does this frequency seem unrealistic to you? My last bike (1987 GPz 750) ate rear sprockets almost seasonally (my current rear sprocket is nearly pristine), but the chain held up phenomenally. I'm thinking that I may want to replace the chain this winter since I've eaten up a little over 1/2 of the adjuster length already, and I could use some advice on what brand and type of chain would hold up to frequent use. I'd like to continue running this bike until it hits 100k, then I hope to step up to the FJR or perhaps a Kowalski Concourse 14.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
that chain is stretching badly...
i have found the FJ is hard on chains regardless of your riding style..... i recommend the EK ZZZ chain....... it wont stretch out like your current chain is doing. it's not cheap but it will last. :good2:
Kookaloo!
Frank
I agree with Frank that you chain is stretching badly.
This is probably due to it being only a "standard" grade chain instead of "HEAVY DUTY PREMIUM" grade. I've heard good things about the EK ZZZ chain, but have never used one.
I'm running a DID ZVM chain and that now has over 50,000 kms (30,000+ miles) on it and its still good for maybe another 5-10K kms. I've only adjusted it back by about 3/16" since first installing it and sprockets. I do use a semi-auto chain oiler though.
When you do replace the chain, replace the sprockets too or they will eat the chain quickly.
Cheers,
Arnie
Quote from: mikeholzer on July 19, 2010, 06:32:30 AMthen I hope to step up to the FJR or perhaps a Kowalski Concourse 14.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Different maybe, newer, yes, but not necessarily a step up...
Randy T
Indy
Quote from: racerman_27410 on July 19, 2010, 07:45:15 AM
that chain is stretching badly...
That's what I was thinking, too. Maybe I'll have to step up before the end of the riding season.
Arnie, where did you find an oiler? I'd be pretty interested in adding something like that based on the amount of regular riding I'm doing.
Randy, you may be right. The FJ is certainly one of the finest bikes I've ever ridden, but I'm currently having a fetish for "new" and "different." I'd buy a brand new FJ if Yamaha still offered it, but at the moment I'm also attracted to the factory hard luggage that looks like it belongs on there.
+ 1 on the EK ZZZ. I took Franks advice a couple of years ago on the EK and I've got about 4000 ? miles on mine and have adjusted it once..not much either. I've never spun the rear wheel, wheelies etc. Just ride and lube it regularly--commuting mostly. I run it at about 3/4" play when the bike is on the center stand--the loose side of what the manual recommends I think.
Unfortunately my experience says that the FJ likes to destroy chains in short order if they're anything less than very, very good. It's more expensive to have the better chains, but beats the crap out of having it chew the hell out of the cases when it wraps the countershaft up!
The ZZZ is a strong, strong chain. Be aware that clip links aren't available for it though, so you'll need the ability to rivet it.
To further improve your chain life, you can go up in size on both sprockets and retain roughly your original gearing. Chains don't like that tight turn around the countershaft much.
I have no idea what chain I have on my FJ, but I am amazed at it's longevity. It was the chain that came with the bike 35000 km ago. I use chain wax, every 1000-2000km or after a ride in the rain. I adjust maybe once a year, but more often than not it's when I replace my rear tire. The longevity amazes me because I also currently have a Suzuki GSX400X and it's on it's second good quality chain in 10000km, and I previously had a little underpowered Seca 400 that was hard on chains also. Must be a huge difference in strength between a 530 and 520 chain.
Quote from: markmartin on July 19, 2010, 03:16:05 PM
Just ride and lube it regularly
Are you sure that's the right order? Cause I'm thinkin'... lube then ride. Afterwards might not help unless it has aloe in it.
Actually, I think Mark has it right. My chain lube says to apply to a "hot" chain. Short of using propane, I'd ride it for 50 miles, then lube it.
Do I have to resort to smileys to express my wiseassness? Which one is the pervert smiley?
Doug
Normally you get it hot before you lube and ride it.
Oh, chains... nevermind.
Thank you Andy, sometimes I feel like no one understands me. Sniff.
Quote from: mikeholzer on July 19, 2010, 11:52:14 AM
Quote from: racerman_27410 on July 19, 2010, 07:45:15 AM
that chain is stretching badly...
Arnie, where did you find an oiler? I'd be pretty interested in adding something like that based on the amount of regular riding I'm doing.
Made it myself. I'll take some pics and post them in the next couple of days.
Its really just a bottle to hold "chain & bar" oil that is set to siphon an oil drip onto the chain at the rear sprocket. It has an inline valve to turn it on & off. I try to remember to turn it on for 5 to 10 min after each fill-up. I also try to remember to turn it OFF when I park - or I come back to a puddle :-(
How often do I adjust my chain?
About as often as I lube it. Once every 5 years whether it needs it or not. There's a reason they use o-rings on the links.
Currently running a DID VM (they were out of the ZVM chains) with 30Kmiles.
My '93 still has the stock chain on it.
DavidR.
Fun idea on sealed chains... does it need lubed or just cleaned? The lubricant is in theory behind sealing rings, so lube on the outside is doing what exactly again?
Recent WD40 convert here....
Yeah, I agree the real lube is (hopefully) kept in the chain by the O-rings. The added lube from the oiler keeps rust away, lubricates the O-rings, and cushions the engagement between the chain rollers and the sprockets. WD40 or Kerosene works fine for cleaning but needs to be done frequently to keep it clean and the O-rings lubed.
Arnie
My FJ had 11,000 miles done when I bought it in 2002. At 14,000 miles I fitted a DID ZVM chain. The original one was knackered because the bike had been sitting for 7 years and the chain had corroded. When I fitted the new chain I was determined to look after it; they're expensive and a hassle to fit. Being a tight git I wasn't prepared to shell out on a lubing system,so I made my own. It's basically a small,oil-filled plastic bottle which is mounted in the fairing. A tube runs from the bottle all the way to the underside of the swinging arm,and outlets in the usual spot,right where the chain meets the rear sprocket. I fitted a tap midway along the tube,and secured it to the left frame rail which passes the cylinder head area. At opportune moments (ie waiting at traffic lights),I open the tap for no more than one second. Moving away distributes the oil evenly. That chain has now done 9,380 miles and I can truthfully,honestly,hand on heart say that I have never had to adjust it. I don't even clean it - it always looks almost new. I use regular 10/40 oil in the bottle,and really can't remember the last time I topped it up - it seems to last forever. At this rate,the chain will do,too.
The Brits go on and on about thier "Scott-Oilers". I immaging a 10 second google search will get you a link, and a few more clicks and a credit card # will get one heading your way. I seem to recall their not exectly cheap though....
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on July 20, 2010, 09:53:24 AM
The Brits go on and on about thier "Scott-Oilers". I immaging a 10 second google search will get you a link, and a few more clicks and a credit card # will get one heading your way. I seem to recall their not exectly cheap though....
Dan
No, they're not cheap and are difficult to get set to provide the right amount of lube as they use a vacuum valve to open the flow.
There was a Long Distance Rider who used to ride an FJ (now FJR) who has an oiler for sale that uses a pump and push button control to give a shot of oil to the chain only when you want.
I'm trying to think of his name..... Laurentian ?? He holds the 2000mile in a 24 hr record.
Product name is "Hawk Oiler" (from Florida IIRC)
Arnie
I am running the Hawke oiler on my FJ and i like it..... it doesnt make a huge mess like the scott oiler can since you control when the oil is delivered to the chain.... like when i am pulling in for fuel i will hit the button 3 times (its a momentary switch) which pulses just enough oil out to get the entire chain covered without dripping off everywhere.
its not cheap but it's insurance... like was said before... quality chains arent cheap to begin with.
http://www.hawkeoiler.com/ (http://www.hawkeoiler.com/)
KOokaloo!
Frank