Km's on a chain and other silly questions....

[White Lion]

Guys and girls,  I know it's a silly question(especially as i hear at the pushy store every week) but how many kms are people getting from their chain and sprockets??  I know it depends on riding style, rain, dirt, etc.... but just looking for a ball park figure like 20,000 to 40,000. Booked in for my 20,000 next week.

Question2: Is the clutch reservoir(on handlebars) the same size as the rear brake reservoir? I'm running an S2R 1000 for those that are keeping score.  The caps have started to flake badly, going to order some caps from Jeff at Monsterparts, just need to know the sizes.

Thanks 

[mattyvas]

I think Monsterparts would know what size caps your Monster runs.
As to chains, ah um........... dunno know can't really help you sorry.
I'd think you'd get 20+k's from them especially if you are just riding "normally"
as in no track days or riding in the rain/hail etc...

[Betty]

I am far from an expert on these things but a few people have seen evidence of Jukie's continually stretching chain ... time for a new one at about 20,000km on the 620 (it is not for me to decide if it has had a hard life or not).

My chain (S2R 800) which has done a few thousand k's less seems to be a little more ... um ... 'sexually perverted' (getting a bit kinky) ... and if she wasn't faster, I'd say I ride like an old woman.

I believe they are both 520 chains which may be another factor.

[dragonworld.]

On the 750 with the stock 520 size (Waaaay undersized for this application) the chain is very lucky to reach 15k to 18k. 
Upsized to the 525, 20k plus no probs. 

On the DS, 525, the chain and sprogget set was changed at 23k. Still looking good at 38k. 

These k's were primarily commuting, so you would expect a bit more out of tourers. 

Chains were kept lubed and adjusted, the biggest drive system killers!! (Not to mention hooliganising !?  )

[White Lion]

Hmm, sounds like i may as well order a new one. Is it like push bikes, can you just put a new chain on and only replace the sprockets every two or so chains? Or, do i need a new front and rear sprocket every chain? (Does that make sense?)

[Betty]

Hmm, sounds like i may as well order a new one. Is it like push bikes, can you just put a new chain on and only replace the sprockets every two or so chains? Or, do i need a new front and rear sprocket every chain? (Does that make sense?)

Would be interested to know opinions on this too. Our chains are close to cactus, but we have been told the sprockets are in surprisingly good shape ... perhaps related to the 520 chain?

Conventional wisdom says replace all at once ... and I believe you will have to if a change in chain pitch/gauge (or whatever the hell it is) is on the cards anyway. Maybe we change to another 520 chain - chew through that and the old sprockets and then change the whole shebang in another 10,000? I'm generally not one for convention.

[dragonworld.]

I will always change the chain and sprockets as a "set". 

As a chain and its sprockets wear, they do so together. The chain links wear (The internal pins and bushes) and this causes the chain to lengthen between the links, usually called "stretch". And this wears the gaps between the toofs accordingly !! 

Sooooo, by putting a NEW chain on an old set of sprockets there will be a certain amount of "mismatching" of chain pitch to sprocket, and therefore the accelerated wear of the chain and the resultant vibration, graunching noises and yes, even inconsistent gear changing can/will happen. 

Its false economy to just put a new chain on yer oldie sprockets, you can also cost yourself some fuel economy because of the inefficiency of the chain/teeth meshing and worse case scenario is you chuck the chain and do some really nasty damage to the engine cases and swingarm (Happens fairly frequently to the chook chaser brigade), and even worse if it jams the rear wheel and spits you down the road.

And that bastard Murphy means that will be a Rolls Royce following you when the chain decides to leave home and punch a hole in the Rollers grille !! Now THAT would be a tad exxy ?? 

[loony888]

there's no real rule as far as how long a chain will last, you said it yourself, weather, riding style and the type of riding you do, how well you maintain your bike etc, all determine chain life. don't be tempted to just replace the chain, the wear on the sprocket teeth will accelerate the wear on your new chain so do the lot. A 520 chain is fine on almost anything except hyabusas and the like but you have to A. buy a quality product, and B. look after it. most race bikes use the lightest chain they can get and although they replace them very regularly, depending on budget, often between races, the size is fine, they handle the power fine, what the smaller chains can't handle is neglect, i've had a REGINA 520 chain on my 888 for about 15k and it's had two adjustments.
   as far as your reservoirs go, if they're the little specimen cup type i thought all the caps were plastic, mine are, (yes, the rear and clutch m/cyl are the same size, but the outlet on the bottom_may_ be different. some are straight, some at an angle) so it would only be the front brake m,cyl that fries up badly. and the best way to stop that is to run the fluid level about 5mm below the max level.

[White Lion]

Nice Loony. Just spoke to my local Moto shop(They play with the Trumpy not the Duc though). They said: Do it all in one go. Also said: go the 525 gear.

The reserviors: the Lids are plastic, but Jeff has some nice anodized lids, Various colours.

I keep my chain fairly clean, so i think i'll be able to squeeze a few more kms out of it. Will go ahead and order the stuff anyway though, may as well have it. 

Anyone have any pics of their ride with gold chains/sprockets on it?? I do fancy a gold chain, but i'm thinking a coloured sprocket may be just a bit too much 'wog' for my liking. 

[heatherp]

My 5 cents worth.

I was advised to always change chain and sprockets as a set for all the reasons given above.

I changed mine at 24000kms, the chain had developed such a tight spot that I'm surprised it didn't snap.  Was not very pleasant to ride.  Didn't put anything fancy on just what was in the Ducati shop at the time. chain is the 525 z ring.  Only cost $300. Cheap insurance and peace of mind I think.

I have just looked at my current ones and looks like the front sprocket is due for replacement soon.  I would say next service (5000kms away).  So that would make 26000kms out of the current set.

I do mainly country miles, just about always in the rain (live in Vic!).  Ride twisties whenever I can find them.  I lube the chain at least every 1000kms more often if I just got drowned (again).

[dragonworld.]

Nice Loony. Just spoke to my local Moto shop(They play with the Trumpy not the Duc though). They said: Do it all in one go. Also said: go the 525 gear.

The reserviors: the Lids are plastic, but Jeff has some nice anodized lids, Various colours.

I keep my chain fairly clean, so i think i'll be able to squeeze a few more kms out of it. Will go ahead and order the stuff anyway though, may as well have it. 

Anyone have any pics of their ride with gold chains/sprockets on it?? I do fancy a gold chain, but i'm thinking a coloured sprocket may be just a bit too much 'wog' for my liking. 

Maybe gold chain AND gold sprocket might be a bit too much gold ?? Just maybe?? 

[White Lion]

Too much gold!? What!  No, i kind of agree with you. There is a gold sprocket with black teeth on Monsterparts, but i think i'll just go with an all black or all silver sprocket.....

[heatherp]

Go the gold. 

What colour is your bike?  I think full gold on a black bike would look good.

Ha I'm suggesting blinging others' bikes when I don't even do my own!   

[White Lion]

no, red and white. I do have a few gold things(Oil cap, Spring caps on clutch). Not over the top though....

[heatherp]

Yeah maybe all gold would be too much then. 

Please post pics of what you end up with so I can get my bling by proxy.