Red Chain?

[Lotsokids]

I found this today. Not sure what it would look like on my bike... might look pretty cool until the lube and road yuk takes over. I have abused my chain non-stop for over 2 years now. It seems super strong as I've only adjusted it once.

http://www.d2moto.com/p-8237-530-o-ring-chain-with-110-links-red.aspx

[Arnie]

Lotso,

It'll fit your bike, but how long it lasts will largely depend on how often you bring on the full Kookaloo.
At that price, it might be worth buying 2 so you have a spare when it stretches out after a year or so.

Arnie

[Pat Conlon]

You like to drag race, correct?

Broken chains are no fun....Buy a quality chain, period.

[Lotsokids]

You like to drag race, correct?

Broken chains are no fun....Buy a quality chain, period.

Correct. Almost daily, but sometimes at a track. Do I then focus on the tensile strength rating of chains? Maybe the brand?

[Pat Conlon]

Do I then focus on the tensile strength rating of chains? Maybe the brand?

For a street chain I look at 2 factors: 1) Tensile strength, and 2) Wear index

Andy and Frank swear by EK brand ZZZ chain (the drag racers choice) which has the highest rated tensile strength at 11,000, but the wear index is 1,700 (base being 100) The ZZZ is a bit lighter (5%) which the racers want. http://www.ekchain.jp/product/extreme_sport.html

My favorite (so far) has been the DID ZVM-X which has a tensile strength rating 5% below the ZZZ at 10,408 *but* has a much higher Wear Index of 4000. http://www.didchain.com/specsALL.html

My thinking is that, for a street chain, wear index is important. I have DID ZVM-X chains on both FJ's and they are wearing very well.

Hope this helps.

[Lotsokids]

Good info, Pat. Thank you.

$166 for the DID ZVM-X? OUCH.

[FJ Flyer]

Ghey!   

Seriously, i'd stick with a name brand, DID, Tsubaki, etc.  You get what you pay for, and a chain is like brakes and tires, not a place to skimp.  Unless you keep your wrist out of it.

[andyb]

You can get relatively strong chains in various colors from reputable manufacturers, also.

Don't expect to spend less than $150, either.  You can get by much cheaper, but you can also break chains pretty easily  that way also.  It's one of those peace of mind things, how much is it to you to know that your chain is as strong as they come, and won't break and trash your engine cases?

[candieandy]

I run the EK ZVX Chain. had it for two years and its  a great chain. I won't buy another cheap chain ever again, as the first cheap chain i bought, broke and wrapped up around my front sprocket and broke everything off the side of the engine( clutch slave, starter, oil filter. I spent a lot of time piecing it back together, and after that it always leaked oil, from the clutch clave seal, regarless of a brand new seal,  or the addition of silicon sealant. My recommendations... pay the 150 bucks and save yourself a lot of trouble.

[Lotsokids]

$166 for the DID ZVM-X? OUCH.

Well, I bought it last night. That's the most expensive chain I have ever bought! I'm travelling back to the U.S. soon, so it will be waiting for me at the hotel.

[Alf]

Taking care of the chain, mine is perfect after more than 80.000 kms, and I´ve never have to adjust it

[andyb]

A cheap chain in great shape is still detrimental to your enjoyment of the machine as well as your engine cases, no matter what condition it's in. 

I've been down that road, broken more than one chain (and more than one spot on a given chain in separate incidents), and have a patched crankcase to show for it.

Strong chains last well, on the whole.  Tensile strength isn't the whole story, nor is wear index.  A broken chain with 4,000mi on it is still broken, no matter what it was supposedly rated for being capable of handling.  My wallet hates me every time I replace one, but it's overall vastly cheaper and less frustrating to buy the best you can find up front, rather than buy several and have damage to fix, nevermind being potentially stranded, later.

[racerman_27410]

I tried two DID ZVM chains...the first one lasted pretty good with the stock engine...... Brutus ate it up the second one in two seasons.... stretched it like a chickens neck.

EK ZZZ chain?   still on the same chain going on three years this summer... after the intitial settling of the new sprockets/chain (about 250 miles in) it has not needed any further adjustment.

Just my experience.

KOokaloo! 

[Alf]

Between ZVM & ZXVM DID chains there is a lot of difference

[A11an0n]

I just installed a EK ZZZ chain on my FJ, it was costly but I think its worth the peace of mind!