Whips and chains oh my!

[andyb]

Ok no whips.  Sorry.


What chains are you kids running?  After using an $80 generic x-ring (and snapping it multiple times, with some tragic consequences to my cases... nothing JBWeld can't fix, though), I bit the bullet and got an EK SRX last time.  It was okay, definitely inspired confidence, and yet I was adjusting it like a madman.

Well, that chain has sat for a couple years and looks like crap now.  Feels like crap too, and isn't worth the bother of cleaning.  What's worse is that on the ZX9 I just stuck a fairly nice piece, a gold RK GP530XSO.  Not only is it awesomely easy to clean compared to a natural finish (I will have chrome, gold, or otherwise from here out, forever..), but it looks pretty sexy and I have yet to adjust it*.

So now that my motor runs, I decided that worrying the chain is just not something I wish to do with my "new" FJ build.  I'm expecting (/hoping) for mid 130hp to the ground, I'm using a shinko drag tire (which ROCKS for racing, not so much on the street), and I'm planning on running nitrous, starting at a 25hp shot and working my way up to a 50hp shot.  (And quite beyond, though I expect a swingarm and other modifications will be needed by then...)

So, a quandry.  Must buy a chain.  So, I bought one.  Specifically, I bought a chrome** EK ZZZ, which I've heard good things about, from many folks.. including a particular 565hp turbo hayabusa owner***.

It's chrome, so it'll clean up easily.  It's strong as hell, and should take any abuse I give it quite well.  Downsides?  How about $188 for a 110 link chain!  It's also quite heavy, but at this point I'll take reliability over tiny gains in rotational mass.

So, what chain do you run, and how well do you like it?  Need adjustment much?  Run it tight?  Run it loose?





*Excluding the fact that I adjust it when I go racing on that bike.  Changing dogbones requires changing chain tension a bit.  Also, if you have a ZX900B1-B2-B3, do NOT use the spec in the service manual.  It's ridiculously tight and will break shit.  On the B4 (1997) model, they altered the swingarm and pivot to make it make more sense, and changed the manual.  FYI.

**Yes, chrome.  Mainly so that I can tell the master links apart and don't make stupid mistakes in the garage.  One's chrome, one's gold.  See?  Thinking, that's me...

***That bike was also raced a bit by E. Parrish, who's a lovely lady, cute too, who can run the hell out of a big dragbike.  Unfortunately she had a nasty tire failure this year and is sitting out for the time being.  The bike is Nem B's, and has gone something like a 7.70 pass in the quarter mile though... no chain failure!

[racerman_27410]

EK ZZZ

   Brutus's 115 ft/lbs of torque hasnt managed to stretch it . 

Good stuff and worth the extra dough IMO. 


Kookaloo!

Frank

[Arnie]

Andy,

I'm using a DID 530ZVM that I replaced at 70,000kms.  I now have almost 130,000 kms.
I'll probably have to replace it in another 10K kms.  No complaints at all.
Mitigating factors:  I'm using 18/42 sprockets, I have a chain oiler, I don't have a monster motor, and I rarely drag (street) race.
I'd think the strongest, toughest, and probably most expensive chain you can buy would be cheapest to have considering your bike, and your intended use.

Cheers,
Arnie