O-Ring Chain Problem? Need Advice

[Lee]

Yesterday, I had my bike up on a rear stand to lube the chain. Just before I lowered the bike off the stand, I noticed something sticking out from the inside of the master link, almost like a small wire. I pulled on it, it stretched like rubber, then broke.

Pictures:
http://f10.putfile.com/thumb/7/21108361163.jpg (http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/7/21108361163.jpg&s=f10)
http://f10.putfile.com/thumb/7/21108363010.jpg (http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/7/21108363010.jpg&s=f10)


Links to larger pictures:
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/7/21108361163.jpg&s=f10
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=main/7/21108363010.jpg&s=f10

This has almost got to be part of an O-ring.

Questions:
1) Is this an O-ring failure?
2) If not, what else could it be?
3) If so, do I need to replace the chain?
4) How soon?
5) What are the likely consequences if I don't replace it?
6) How might I have prevented this failure?

I'm pretty sure you guys are going to tell me I need to replace the chain. :( That's pretty sad. It has less than 8K miles on it and had only needed 4 small adjustments during its lifetime.

If I need to replace it, I would appreciate recommendations including chain brand, model, weight, and rear sprocket teeth changes.

Thanks,

Lee

[rybo]

Lee,

Almost certainly is an O-Ring. If it's at the master link and your master link is a clip type you can disassemble it, replace the o-ring and grease and then put it back together. If it's elsewhere in the chain it can still be fixed, but you will be weakening the chain significantly by doing so.

I am not sure about gearing changes on your bike, especially for street use, but I like D.I.D chains. My last one went over 20K miles.

Scott

[Lee]

If I hadn't seen this tiny part of the chain coming loose, what would likely have been the first indication that I needed to replace the chain?

Lee

[rybo]

Lee,

You could probably ride for a long time without this little o-ring, especially if you keep decent care of your chain.

I'm guessing that your first sign would have been that link starting to get stiff with corrosion a ways down the road.

[Lee]

I take pretty good care of my chains:
> I lube them every 200 miles with Honda chain lube.
> I thoroughly clean them every 2500 miles with deisel.

What I want to avoid is a catastrophic chain failure - a cracked engine case, a locked rear wheel, an injured leg, etc.

Lee

[Clarkie]

Lee is that the OEM chain?

[Lee]

Lee is that the OEM chain?

Yes it is. It's a few months out of warranty.

Lee

[Clarkie]

kinda strange it took so long to happen, i have seen it a lot when people install a new rivet link and over-tighten it...

I would just get a good DID or RK x-ring chain, you can get some good deals if you look around :)

[Mel]

I had posted up like a month ago a link to a guy on the TL forum who had deals on Rk X ring chains. Should be in the for sale section, or I can look around for it (busy right now).

[Lee]

kinda strange it took so long to happen, i have seen it a lot when people install a new rivet link and over-tighten it...

I would just get a good DID or RK x-ring chain, you can get some good deals if you look around :)

Clarkie, Beotch,

I would want a DID 530 X-ring chain.

If you know of links to some good deals, I'd welcome them, unless it would be safe to use the chain I've as-is, or repaired. I've heard varying comments on those subjects and I haven't made up my mind yet.

I am still wondering, if I hadn't seen the O-ring sticking out, how I would have eventually known that there was a problem?

Lee

[Clarkie]

you would have a hole in the engine case :cry:

[Lee]

you would have a hole in the engine case :cry:

Oh, that.

[Sparker]

DID ERV ZVM...i think thats what its called. the entire ERV line is awsome. well worth the money!

[Mel]

Clarkie, Beotch,

I would want a DID 530 X-ring chain.

If you know of links to some good deals, I'd welcome them, unless it would be safe to use the chain I've as-is, or repaired. I've heard varying comments on those subjects and I haven't made up my mind yet.

I just got one, I think it's an RK X ring though, (530, 112 length cut to the size I wanted) for $80 shipped. The guy I got it from said he has sprockets for like $25-30 front and $50 for the rear I think. Lemme know if you need the info.

[Lee]

I want to thank everyone for their advice and the information they provided.

I bought a DID 530 ZVM2 (X2) chain for $161 at RMCP:
http://www.didchain.com/xring1.htm

I also purchased Sprocket Specialists front and rear sprockets, in steel, from RMCP for $51. I took one tooth off the front one to improve acceleration; it should yield ~6.25% improvement.

I reviewed the chain damage with my mechanic, Jeff Boehmer, at RMCP. After listening to me, considering my good maintenance and the low miles on my stock chain, he remarked that I probably had the chain too tight at 22mm of play, even though that is within the 20-30mm spec in the GSXR manual. He recommended 25-35mm of play in the future.

Lee