Thoughts on Chains for Low HP Bikes ?

[grumm441]

Don, you can thin the sprockets in a lathe. Rears are easy, front is tougher, can be ground and measure carefully.
 If they are surface hardened you may break through so might be better to buy a front. Make sure you radius or bevel tips, just like the side you left.

Yes you can do that, but only try it with rear sprockets. Front sprockets can be a lot harder than rears and are more likley to shed teeth under load. When i used to work for a  Ducati shop we found that even using non genuine front sprockets could be a problem with shedding teeth
On your 500 i would run a decent DID, Tsubaki, EK or other quality "O" or "X" ring chain in a 520. It may cost a bit more at first but it will last a lot longer

And John Burk, belts and various size pulleys are a whole lot more expensive than chain and sprocket combinations, they are also a lot more sensitive to alignment
Gray

[shiphteey]

Hey Milton, good talking to you again after Maxton.  I think for a 1.5 mile venue like Loring, while the non-oring chain may help you slightly, you'll pick up more doing other things....go faster, spend less!   

[relaxedfit]

....go faster, spend less!   
[/quote]

my wife keeps spending faster so i can go less

[4-barrel Mike]

Good one!

Mike

[MiltonP]

Yep...won't be changinging it for now.  Only thing to do before Loring is get that stock rear sprocket back on and see how high rpm I can hit in 6th.  Then decide wether to go -1 again or take off some plastic and run modified.  That may be detremined more by budget than anything else though.

[racer x]

Are clip type chain master link connectors allowed ? I only have about 25 hp to try to brake a 520 chain  But I would hate to show up and find out that I need a rivet type master link.
Thanks

[sabat]

I think so, but you can use a dab of RTV to help it from getting popped off.

[relaxedfit]

Eric,
Are you coming back down in september?

[racer x]

Yes ,I miss you all to much to stay away

[roadracer]

The old roadracing trick is the RTV and a piece of safety wire around the link.  The s/w on my link made it through Maxton and Loring.  The chain goes away now.  It's non O ring and disposable.  Just my preferance.

[racer x]

I Got the non o ring chain and it came with a clip fastener, That is why I was asking . I would have to go find a rivet type master link some where else.and buy another chain tool .(I lent mine out)

[55chevr]

Spring clip master links are acceptable

[wobblywalrus]

Chains can corrode if they are taken off of a salty bike after lake racing and they are put directly in oil.  This does not seem possible from a chemistry standpoint but it happens.

I use a good Tsubaki non o-ring chain for racing and a DID x-ring chain for the street.  Why do I do this?  I can take the non o-ring chain off right after I race and soak it in lots of water.  This dissolves the salt.  Then I put the chain in the oven at low heat to dry it.  Then it goes into a bag with some oil.  I can get the salt out of a non-o-ring chain so this is why I use it.  My bike does not have much power, but I get years of life out of a chain by doing this.

It is rare for a master link clip to come loose, but it happens.  I have never heard of a riveted master link coming loose.