Types of Chains??

[Guest]

I was looking to order a chain for my 82 GS450TX. It looks like I need a 530 104 link chain. I was looking around on ebay and saw several listings that said non o-ring style chains and others that did not. What chain do I need? If there are variations or styles of chains, is some better than the rest?

[tkent02]

I was looking to order a chain for my 82 GS450TX. It looks like I need a 530 104 link chain. I was looking around on ebay and saw several listings that said non o-ring style chains and others that did not. What chain do I need? If there are variations or styles of chains, is some better than the rest?

O rings are far better than no rings. X rings are better than O rings.

[simon kuether]

O rings are far better than no rings. X rings are better than O rings.

That's the whole story , right there .

Cheers , Simon .

[JEEPRUSTY]

Some are stronger and have a higher tensile strength.
Most chains have o-rings I think. At least I have not seen any on shelves hereabouts for years.

Go to the Regina chains website and you can see their tensile strength and application charts. You do not have a super powerful engine and do not need a super expensive chain for the bike,

I had a super expensive chain and it lasted a really long time. At the end of its life it was still heavier ( due to thicker sideplates no doubt ) to my new el cheapo brand chain.

[RustyStuff]

I just bought a JT x-ring from Z1 here a few weeks ago, $65+ a clip master link. It seems to be pretty decent quality, heavier than the old non-ring by a bit.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=530+Chain+JT+Expert+HD+104+link+%27X%27+Ring&item=BAJTC530X1R104RL

I've been running $40 non-ring chains the last 2 years and they have held up well, averaging 4k miles till it's worn out. I Figure this chain should last much longer than that.

[tkent02]

I've been running $40 non-ring chains the last 2 years and they have held up well, averaging 4k miles till it's worn out. I Figure this chain should last much longer than that.

Should be about 6 times as long.

[Gorminrider]

don't forget to look into getting new sprockets too.... Maybe that's how you killed the old chain. As Tkent_02 sez, 4kmiles is not very good at all, even if you mean per year.

[koolaid_kid]

Should be about 6 times as long.

At a minimum. With a 450, I suggest a properly maintained o-ring or x-ring chain should go 40-50k miles.
I put 15k semi-aggressive miles on my 1100E and adjusted the chain twice.