DID ZVM-X Chains 530 vs. 525, why not go with the lighter 525?

[Pat Conlon]

I'm getting ready to change the chain and sprockets on my '92, and I noticed that the DID specifications are the same for the 525 and 530 ZVM-X ring chains. (see below) Tensile strength both at 10,408lbs and wear resistance at 4,000

I am a huge fan of DID ZVM-X chains. The best IMHO. Soooo...Why not the lighter 525 chain?
Perhaps I'll gain a tiny bit more clearance from my back 180/55-17 tire?

Your thoughts are welcome! TIA 

[racerman_27410]

PAddy,

I'm really happy with the Ek ZZZ chain.

Brutus totally destroyed two ZVM chains in short order (about 5K miles each.. possibly something about spinning the rear tire and popping wheelies at the same time) so i gave up on the DID and went with the EK ZZZ chain.... probably the strongest rated tensile strength motorcycle chain available.....where i was constantly having to adjust the DID i've only had to adjust the ZZZ chain once after initial 300 mile run. The ZZZ now has about 14K on it and is still in good shape with no more adjustments necessary

it has the lightening holes so its lighter than other chains (not verified)

plus you can get it shiney chrome for no extra charge 

http://www.schnitzracingstore.com/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=5106142&showprevnext=1

Kookaloo!

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Frank, I recall you mentioning the EK triple Z chain. I'll look into them. Hmmmm, comes in shiny chrome you say...?
Your monster motor with over 100 ft.lbs of torque, coupled with a fully loaded 700lb bike, will definitely be the fire test for chains.

....and back tires..

Thanks amigo!

[racerman_27410]

Paddy,

One other thing i liked about the ZZZ over the DID is that the ZZZ rivet link comes with spacer plates so that it is impossible to press the side plates on too tightly.(or too loosely)

i really like the attention to detail and more than that the fact that the chain lasts a long time. (and im not real particular about chain maintenance)

KOokaloo!

[Pat Conlon]

Do you know if I can still use my DID chain riveting tool with the EK ZZZ chain?

[andyb]

Should work without an issue, though you may have to trim the spacer thingies down a pinch.  I want to say that both of the EK chains that I've had in recent years came with the spacers for properly installing masterlinks, though.


The EK ZZZ is a monster of a chain.  If it can handle 500+ hp on glued tracks, it can handle street duties very capably.

[racerman_27410]

yup you can use that press.... like Andy said you may have to grind the spacers a bit but thats a one time deal.   SHould not be an issue with the pins.

Kookaloo!

Frank

[E Double]

Hey Pat,

I have the DID ZVM-X in 530 and I love it.  I'm going on 5K miles and I've only had to adjust once at 300 miles.  My last chain was a 525 and I wasn't a big fan of it. Granted, I squeezed about 13K miles out of it, but there was a lot of adjusting over that time to be had.  My last chain cost about half this DID so that being the case I'll bet you won't have any problems with a 525 of either brand, if they're one of the better ones.  

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Andy and Frank, being able to use my DID tool will lessen the pain a bit...

Hey Pat,

I have the DID ZVM-X in 530 and I love it.  I'm going on 5K miles and I've only had to adjust once at 300 miles.  My last chain was a 525 and I wasn't a big fan of it. Granted, I squeezed about 13K miles out of it, but there was a lot of adjusting over that time to be had.  My last chain cost about half this DID so that being the case I'll bet you won't have any problems with a 525 of either brand, if they're one of the better ones.  

Hey Dennis, yes I know what you mean, I have the older DID ZVM2 530 chain on my '84 and I love it. A slight adjustment at the first 200 miles then over 28k miles with very little or no stretch.
Still, I was surprised to see that the DID specs the same between the 525 and 520 ZVM-X chains.

Also Dennis, I've been meaning to thank you.... Santa brought me some really bitchen Rizoma mirrors for my '84. Much nicer than those oem Mickey Mouse ear mirrors I've been running for the last 26 years. I'll post some pictures later. They are super cool.   Pat

[racerman_27410]

Paddy,

you were talking before about a big bore kit .

Are you going down the kookaloo path ?


Kookaloo! 

[carsick]

 Pat,
  Are you sure the identical tensile strength is not a typo unique to the ZVM-X? The other grade chains all list a lower strength for the 525 vs. 530. I would also guess that a narrower roller and tooth would have to decrease chain life by putting the same force on a smaller area. The weight savings would be about 4 oz.? Even though it's rotational mass, it doesn't seem to provide enough advantage to justify the effort (to me). If you want to be a test study, go for it and we'll watch and learn!

[E Double]

Glad to hear that the Rizoma Fairy hooked you up this holiday.  They definitely make some pretty bits; And functional, to boot.  I have no more problems with floppy puppy ear mirrors when I'm in the numbers with these mirrors.  Happy New Year, by the way!

[Pat Conlon]

Paddy, you were talking before about a big bore kit . Are you going down the kookaloo path ?

Yep, my '84's motor is quite low on compression and ready for freshening, so why the hell not?  It's only money.
Curiously, my wife has been very supportive of this project and now I've just figured out why...
She knows that I'll probably have to go back to work to be able to pay for this....She can't wait to get me out of her hair and "her" house....We shall see.
Never-the-less,  1349cc = 140 rwhp and 100ft.lbs of torque = sounds like fun, fun, fun 

Pat,
  Are you sure the identical tensile strength is not a typo unique to the ZVM-X? The other grade chains all list a lower strength for the 525 vs. 530. I would also guess that a narrower roller and tooth would have to decrease chain life by putting the same force on a smaller area. The weight savings would be about 4 oz.? ......

Yea Doug, I was surprised...I checked a couple of different online sources and the same DID spec sheet came up.
No misprint, unless it's done on purpose.
Looking closely at the 525 vs 530 DID ZVM-X specs, I see that inner/outer side plates are the same thickness 2.4mm and 2.6mm respectively and the diameter of the rollers are the same @ 10.6mm, it's just that the pin length is shorter with the 525 chain.
It's interesting to note that all the modern "superbikes" (e.g. BMW RR1000) are running 525 chains.

[racerman_27410]

Pat,

I would say the ultra lite superbikes running 525 chains are not concerned about long chain life and for sure dont have 100lb/ft of torque combined with the weight of the FJ. Personally i would rather err on the aide of caution than destroy 150 dollar chains on a regular basis.

trust me....with that engine you're building you WANT a 530 chain (IMO the best...EK ZZZ) 

you're gonna love that engine and all your riding buddies will be slack jawed while you're passing them with the front wheel reaching for the sky!   

KOokaloo!

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

I would say the ultra lite superbikes running 525 chains are not concerned about long chain life and for sure dont have 100lb/ft of torque combined with the weight of the FJ. Personally i would rather err on the aide of caution than destroy 150 dollar chains on a regular basis.

trust me....with that engine you're building you WANT a 530 chain (IMO the best...EK ZZZ) 

Yea, good point. Those new sport bikes don't have the loaded weight we carry, nor the torque of the big FJ 1349cc motor.
My original question was for a new chain on my '92.... but still, fully loaded, I can pack a lot of shit on that bike...

I think I'll swap my 530 ZVM2 chain and sprockets over from my '84, to my '92, and then budget for a new ZZZ chain for the '84.

Thanks Frank, good advice as usual.  Pat