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What chain? What chain?
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 5 May 2014
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What chain?
Installed a new 520 106 link non o-ring chain. Stretching like crazy.
Having to tighten every 300 miles.
What brand do you suggest for an o-ring one. Thanks
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  #2  
Old 5 May 2014
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D.I.D. good quality and easy to get hold of.
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  #3  
Old 5 May 2014
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D.I.D or R.K.
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  #4  
Old 5 May 2014
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I have used DID X ring with very good results and long life, I have also used an RK and I think it was an X ring, but at least an O ring and have had very good life as well, very seldom do I have to adjust the chain.

Steve
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'84 XT600 is now bored to 2nd oversize and new OEM pistons and rings installed. No more smoking.
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Old 5 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Provick View Post
Installed a new 520 106 link non o-ring chain. Stretching like crazy.
Having to tighten every 300 miles.
What brand do you suggest for an o-ring one. Thanks
What bike are you riding? Brand new and stretching? Hmmm
Could be you've over tightened your chain? All new chains stretch ... but then should stop. But cheap, NON O ring chains can continue stretching if over tightened or run really hard on high HP bike.

Over tightening will quickly ruin even a quality X Ring chain, so take care.

If you're riding any sort of long travel, dual sport or dirt based design bike, then chain slack needs to be there ... loose better than tight. If a sports bike, you can run a tighter chain, but even then ... don't go too far.

I've had GREAT luck with top of the line DID X Ring chains. I usually can get between 20K - 25K miles. Been using DID chains only since 1997, done about 250,000 miles on many different bikes.
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  #6  
Old 5 May 2014
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What do your sprockets look like? Are the teeth sharp pointed, leaning, show wear? A new chain on worn out sprockets will ruin a new chain quickly. Unless the sprockets are in very good shape, then always replace them as a set.
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'84 XT600 is now bored to 2nd oversize and new OEM pistons and rings installed. No more smoking.
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  #7  
Old 5 May 2014
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Using good quality non o ring chains I get about 3,000 miles before they need the second adjustment, first is quite quick as it "runs in". eg Regina, Elite (cheapest but good) or Reynolds. Usually last for about 8,000 miles. I would run o or X ring chain if there was enough room.
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  #8  
Old 5 May 2014
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The bike only had 5,400 miles when I bought it. Decided to replace original 21 year old chain when I put a 14 tooth on the front.
Dealer (Saturday) said he had a non o-ring so went ahead. Planned a ride for Sunday.
Sprockets are like new. Buddy owns a shop and suggested a BikeMaster BMOR.
Getting it this week. I'm almost 1/2 way through the adjustment cam in 4,000 miles. Going in the garbage. Thanks
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Old 6 May 2014
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21 year old chain? Could be those sprockets are also 21 years old?

To be safe ... I'd go with NEW front and rear sprockets. As mentioned ... worn sprockets are murder on your new chain. Replace them both. Unless you have a lot of experience .... it can be hard to see that a sprocket is worn.

If you hold up your old sprocket next to NEW sprocket ... you may see the wear points. Sometimes not obvious. Of course badly worn sprockets are easy to spot .. but some are not ... but will still be hard on your new chain over time and miles.


Clearly worn ...


Obvious, no? But amazing how many let their sprockets get to this state!


Most would say these sprockets are OK. They aren't. The one on the right is starting to "hook". The one on the left is still OK but near it's end too.
As Steve mentioned, if your sprocket tooth edges are sharp ... not good.
If the shoulders are worn too far down ... not good.

Master Bike is a pretty good chain. Get the best you can and good sprockets
(OEM are best). Keep clean and oiled ... ride ride ride!
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Old 6 May 2014
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OEM is best? who makes the chain for Yamaha? A chain from D.I.D is as good as OEM and can be better.
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Old 6 May 2014
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The front is a new 14, replaced with the POS new chain. The rear is in good shape.
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  #12  
Old 6 May 2014
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I have always used name brand chains, like DID or RK, until my last set. I have an 80,000+ mile KLR650 that I thought wouldn't outlast another chain and sprocket set, so I bought the house brand o-ring set from Rocky Mountain MC, and have been pleasantly surprised by how long it is lasting. Has ~12,000 miles on now, and looks like it will last as long as a DID at half the price. YMMV, literally.

But yes, I too have had bad experiences with non sealed chains.
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Old 6 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtrock View Post
OEM is best? who makes the chain for Yamaha? A chain from D.I.D is as good as OEM and can be better.
I meant OEM sprockets ... not referring to the chain. sorry if not clear on that.

Stock chain used by Yamaha? No idea. Check the link stamp, it's probably a DID ... as DID supply many OEM's with chains. The DR650 comes stock with a DID mid level O ring chain, as do dozens of other Japanese bikes. A good but not great chain that is good for about 12K miles or so. But the DID VM2 X Ring I use is good for over 20,000 miles. Big step up with X ring.

Most Japanese OEM sprockets are pretty good: made in Japan, quality steel. But JT and one or two other Thai made sprockets are not bad either and a bit less money.

Some Chinese stuff is junk .... but gets better every year. Here in the USA we have a few sprocket makers claiming "miracle sprockets". Most are cheap, made in China stuff, no where close to Japanese made quality chain and sprockets. If unsure, go with OEM sprockets.
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Old 6 May 2014
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I don't think you'll have problems with any X or O-ring chain from a brand you've heard of. Choose one and stick to it then you can be sure the any spare split or soft links and odd bits of chain you carry in your spares will easilly fit.

I normally get two or more front sprockets to one rear and chain. The front does a lot of work so wears quicker. It's cheep enough to change regularly. A mullered front will kill the chain, thus prematurely wearing the rear.
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Old 10 May 2014
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Yamaha mostly uses D.I.D. as factory chains, don't know which one(aka VM2,ect..) and I think SunStar sprockets. I mostly get D.I.D. as well (VM2 gold)X-ring if possible. Never even considered a non-o-ring chain, pointless unless it would be a low hp sunday, good weather only, bare asphalt , putt-putt bike.

I replace the front sprocket as soon as I see any wear on the teeth that can be seen looking closely. The chain will last 2x longer if always run on good sprockets. I sell my old chains to local cheapo's for $15-$20, They can't believe I'd replace a chain before it breaks. I then laugh when down the road they complain about having to fix a case from a broken chain. They can't understand why it happens.
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