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Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 03, 2017, 17:58:21 PMok starting to sort out the info, and so any more info lets have it.
Pete, I am running a 18T and a 38T sprockets, not sure of the manufacture at this time I can let you know once I am home.
Troll, tfrank59 and OR, thanks, I only used the WD 40 when I ws trying to wash the containment out of the chain. I will have to check out this chain wax. I had one chain and it was a DID X ring that I had on going to Sparta and then to Billings MT and then home, I checked the chain every night and it never needed an adjustment, That was one awesome chain , but after 2 summers I changed it. Since then I have not found one I was happy with.
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 03, 2017, 15:56:25 PMHigh quality chain wax is much better for O ring or X ring chains....it stays in place, coats nicely and prevents intrusion of contaminants such as dirt and water....penetrating solvents like WD40 actually remove the wax or oil coating and allow contaminants in...and don't do much as far as actual lubrication because they are too thin and don't stay in place....so, unless you are using an old style chain without seals, never use a penetrating "lubricant" like WD40....always use high quality chain wax.....and use a high quality chain cleaner before each wax application...my chain is OEM and has 9600 miles on it....still looks brand new with no wear and runs extremely quiet....I clean and wax it about every 3k miles.....
Posted by Pete
- September 03, 2017, 07:46:39 AMWotcha Ratman.
What sprockets have you got front & rear?
Posted by Troll
- September 03, 2017, 07:28:32 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on September 02, 2017, 20:55:44 PMSo are you saying that "O" and "X" chain are the only ones that develop tight spots? I am trying to understand all this....
Any chain can develop tight spots, due to wear or intrusion of dirt, but "sealed" chains keep you from really flushing out any contaminants. I put a really expensive O ring chain on my '78 Superglide once..after about 6 mos, it started to get stiff in several places. I took it off and soaked it in oil for a couple of days (like I would have any other chain with the same problem) and it didn't get any better...
Posted by Tfrank59
- September 02, 2017, 23:46:51 PMSo how many miles are you getting out of a chain? I've got 17K on my bike now, most of it mine, and as far as I know my chain and sprockets are OE. Everything still looks brand new. So here's a little confession, I have never done anything to my chain except clean it once in awhile and spray chain wax on it for Lube. It has never needed adjusting the slackness is within spec and it is smooth as can be. It is the most maintenance-free chain I've ever had on a motorcycle. Anyway I recommend using chainwax rather than WD-40 or some other chain Grease cuz I've had better performance and chain life with chainwax on my bikes, even off-road bikes (even going through water like you been doing) so I'm going to keep using it.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 02, 2017, 20:55:44 PMSo are you saying that "O" and "X" chain are the only ones that develop tight spots? I am trying to understand all this....
Posted by Troll
- September 02, 2017, 19:15:02 PMOne of the reasons I don't use o ring chains
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 02, 2017, 16:55:54 PM So I feel pretty good about my ability to adjust the chain on my 800. I think I have been doing correctly since i followed the manual the first time. So 2 years ago I developed a noise in my chain, I was not sure why or what it was, I was on my way home from Pikeville and Drift In 15 at the time. I stopped at a H-D dealer and asked for some chain lube and the mechanic asked why and I old him, he suggested I just had a bit of dirt in a link, so he gave me a part tin of WD 40 and sold me a second can and told me to soak the chain with the WD-40 and hope that what ever was in the link would be forced out. This seemed to work and the noise was gone for the rest of the trip. Over the winter I replaced that chain.
So this trip I got caught in a huge rain storm, I was on some really rural roads and had puddles that actually almost came over my floorboards at times. PEI has its own type of earth, and it is a red dirt that is not like normal dirt. Up to this point I have not had any issues with the chain, after this rain I was really surprised to hear some noise from the rear end and it was bad, I could feel it through the floor boards and my seat. So I checked the chain and it was a bit loose so I tightened it, but the noise persisted, on my ride from PEI the Antigonish it went away. Cool, then the morning MikeakaFred and I went to ride the Cabot Trail, it cqme back and with a vengeance, checked the chain it was with in tight specs. So after checking with a few people I decided to stop and buy a new chain. The noise is gone......500 kms later did an small adjustment to tighten it and now to ride home.
So wondering if anyone can tell us what and why a chain gets tight spots, I did google that and had to much to read just want a simple answer.
Is there a way to prevent a chain from getting tight spots?
If not then how can we fix it if it is fixable.