One frozen link

[scott_araujo]

I'm at just under 10kmiles on my '03 800 with the original factory chain.  While lubing the chain the other day I noticed one frozen link.  It stays bent through the straight section of the run.  I pressed on it but it doesn't want to move, seems really stuck.  I usually lube the chain every 300 miles with Maxima chain wax, don't ride too hard, see a little bit of wet weather.

Should I start looking for a new chain and sprockets today or can I let this go a while?

Thanks,
Scott

[Speeddog]

Your chain is just about done.

10k on the OEM chain is good, I've seen a *few* go further, but many don't make it that far.

[scott_araujo]

So I've heard.  Doesn't seem like much.  My Kawasaki ZR7 (about the same size and power) had 10k when I sold it and the chain was just fine, wasn't even an o-ring chain.  I guess it did have less torque, inline 4 instead of a twin.

Scott

[Porsche Monkey]

So what is the expected life span of a chain on good sprockets and regularly lubed?  Mines done and its got about 8k on it.

[Speeddog]

I've had one customer get 21k miles on an S2R1k with the OEM stuff, that was a real surprise.

Usually 12k is about the limit of what I've seen.

The ducs seem to be a bit hard on the driveline, a friend with a Kawi Z750 was well over 20k and it still looked great.

[scott_araujo]

I was figuring on a DID x-ring chain to replace.  Can I expect better life from that?  Also, does switching to 525 yield any extra life?  I certainly don't need the extra strength on an air cooled 800 but if I'm swapping out the chain and cogs anyway it might be worth the extra dollars.

Thanks,
Scott

[CairnsDuc]

The Chain on my S2R 800 had done 16000 Klm's when I had to take it off, Cleaned and lubed every 300 Klm's but that chain was a failure from day one, tight spots, loose spots, and noisy as hell, I just put on one the EK self riveting chains from CA Cycleworks, The sounds of Silence 

The original sprockets were still in very good condition so I'll just keep using them and then replace everything in another 16000 Klm's
I know a number of people who go 2 chains to one set of sprockets (Flounder "Big" I recall may be one of them) If the teeth of your sprockets are still in good condition just change the chain. My previous Boss who has been spinning spanners on Ducati's for over 20 years does the same, I got him to check out the sprockets just to be safe and he confirmed they had a lot of life left in them, He and I think along the same lines, if it is remotely unsafe, or worn out, spend the money and replace, He confirmed my thoughts that the OEM sprockets were in good condition and safe. So a New X ring chain was fitted and [moto]

[scott_araujo]

Yeah, if you don't run the chain until it's way dead and stretched you can often get two chains per sprocket set.  I don't think the chains stretched much, it's just dead.  I don't think the sprockets are that worn but I'll have to take a close look before deciding.  I'll probably change the front even if it looks ok, it's small and takes a lot of stress.

I was considering the EK chains but had heard the DID were higher quality than anything else out there.  I really like the idea of the self installing screw link.  Then again if Chris is selling EK they're probably pretty good stuff.  I also like the really sick idea of putting a chrome chain on a Monster.  It's just so wrong it's funny

Scott

[ducpainter]

I get about 15K miles on chain and sprockets with Motorex racing.

[corndog67]

My stock Yamaha YZ 450F chain went about 200 off road miles, the teeth were hooking, the chain was  slapping the tire and the inside of the frame.   DID ER, new stealth, new factory steel counter, over 1 year and I haven't had to adjust it yet.   Excellent quality.

I've had very poor life and customer service from RK and Tsubaki.   CBR1000F, the old Sport Tourer, 22,000 out of a stocker set, I put top of the line RK Gold, steel front and rear sprockets, at less than 3000 miles, the RK started losing rollers, I sent it in, they said there was battery acid on it.   I looked under the bike, battery drain was on the opposite side, battery was full, and I'd never serviced it.  There was no acid damage anywhere, from the battery box to the aluminum swingarm, so BS story.  They refused to do anything about it.  F_ck 'em.   I put a DID ZVM, a $180 chain,  on those same sprockets, that bike went to 60,000 miles before I sold it, chain and sprocks were still looking good. 

DID ZVM, the most expensive chain they sell, is going on everything I put a new chain on.  Absolutely the best. 

[corey]

ive spent two days looking for a picture of a frozen link of sausage... i give up.

[scott_araujo]

I took the sprockets off to clean them and get a really good look.  They are both just starting to hook.  You can feel it more than you can see it, just a bit more of a ridge on one side of the tooth than the other.  Guess I'm replacing everything.

Scott

[He Man]

ive got 11k on my stock DID chain, its not kinked. Is there another way I can know its toast? When i took the chain off i soaked it in WD40 and cleaned it, so thats probably why it isnt kinked right now.

[scott_araujo]

Even if all the links flex freely the chain can 'stretch'.  This isn't what you might think, the sideplates of the chain don't actually stretch.  The pins in the chain wear a tiny bit and that makes the chain a little longer since then get a little looser.  You can weight the chain to hold it taught and then measure the length of ten links.  Then compare that with the spec for your chain to see how far it has elongated.  My old Kawasaki has acceptable limits, the Ducati manual does not.  At the bicycle shop where I used to work we had a gauge that hooked right onto the chain.  Haven't seen one for moto chains.

Also, clean off your sprockets and take a look.  If the teeth on either is starting to hook in one direction that means they are starting to wear from an elongated chain.

Just in general from what I've heard so far in this thread, the stock chain doesn't last that long, 10k is a good life.  I've heard very good things about DID which is why I plan to get one myself.

Scott

[bigiain]

I know a number of people who go 2 chains to one set of sprockets (Flounder "Big" I recall may be one of them) If the teeth of your sprockets are still in good condition just change the chain.

Yep, I pretty much always run two chains per set of sprockets. I'll get 40,000km or so from a new good (RK, DID, EK) chain on new sprockets, and 30,000km or so from a second chain on the same sprockets. This is on a '99 M750 - bikes with more power (which is almost _all_ other Monsters) may not get as much life out of chains and sprockets as I get...

big