Author Topic: New Chain (Read 3414 times)

vadim · « **on:** November 14, 2005, 11:54:42 AM »

I need to get a new chain for my '01 600. The old one is very tight in one spot and has tons of slack in the others, and it started spewing red dust all over the place.

I am planning to get a DID 530VM with 112 links. Is that the right size?

Do I need anything else besides the chain itself? The sprockets don't look worn (8900 miles). I think the previous owner had the chain replaced about 2K miles ago, but got a crappy one and hasn't maintained it.

Also, my local shop charges 75 dollars to install the chain. DID tool to cut/rivet the chain (km500) is 110 bucks. Has anyone tried using it? I am inclined to leave the job for the shop since chances are that if the chain can last 20K miles I'll probably need a new bike before I need a new chain. :)

Thanks for your advice.

-Vadim

Sven · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:05:24 PM »

Welcome to one of the most recurring threads on this site. Somebody else will post a link to the previous discussion on this, but since I went through this recently, here's what I did based on general consensus of those who replied:

1) Replace your sprockets when you replace the chain. Some people will disagree...those are people who are trying to conservce money and don't mind doing some kind of work on the bike every other weekend. The rest of the world (including all the books and mags) say that the worn sprockets on a new chain will just ruin the new chain faster. Also, if you are having the work done at a shop, the labor to do all of it isn't much more than the labor to do part of it. Why pay twice?

2) I ordered the OEM sprockets. The front (smaller) one has a rubberized bushing which is supposed to make it quieter. Based on price, they are cheap enough if you order them online from some place like Bike Bandit or Ron Ayers...didn't see that other brands offered anything better or cheaper.

3) Based on general agreement from this board, I ordered the DID ZVM2 530 chain with 112 links. I got this from Dale Walker's Holeshot on the web...the high-end DID chain for the cost of the OEM chain at Bike Bandit or Ron Ayers! Holeshot only has the steel color, so if you are dying for the gold color, shop elsewhere.

4) Dude, use the lube! You are getting kinks and dust! Although people on other bikes seem to do great with very rarely oiling the chain, people on this board seem to follow a 250-400 mile lube interval, which might be after one long day, or once a week, depending. I like the Honda ("red can" or "blue can") stuff...it seems very light and sticks better. The Bel-Ray seems to fling off all over the place.

5) As it happens, I ordered the parts a couple months back, but I am just having them installed TODAY. So, I can tell you what it cost me once I pick it up.

All this is based on my perceptions of what people have said over time on this board. However, there are some dissenting opinions, and they will no doubt weigh in.

PS: This is my first chain/sprocket swap at 16K miles...been needing it for a while but no time for down time until now.

vadim · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2005, 06:28:47 PM »

Thanks, Sven. I read through some of the threads here, but not all. Your post really summarizes it. It should go into the FAQ section of the website.

Sven · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2005, 08:40:31 PM »

Today's sprocket/chain swap-out cost 1.25 hours labor, to help with your decision.

(And thanks for the kind words!)

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2005, 02:17:59 AM »

The 530VM is plenty strong for the B6. My last chain on my B12 was a VM and I have no regrets. I do have a ZVM on it now, but that's only because this time I couldn't find anyone offering them up for any less money than the ZVM and I'm sure not gonna pay more $ for a lesser chain!

Sven · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2005, 09:02:01 AM »

Quote from: "Red01"

I do have a ZVM on it now, but that's only because this time I couldn't find anyone offering them up for any less money than the ZVM and I'm sure not gonna pay more $ for a lesser chain!

That's pretty much what I went through. The ZVM2 chain was cheaper than the other DID chains, and as cheap as the OEM, so I didn't see any reason to keep shopping.

vadim · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2005, 11:51:32 AM »

I remembered Paul's post about him using VM and I figured that that it should work just fine for a B6. Thanks for confirming my reasoning :)

ZVM2 was 150 on wholeshot. I found 530VM 120 links for 99.99 at Bob's Cycle Supply (http://www.bobscycle.com/). Hopefully they'll deliver as promised.

Sven · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2005, 11:57:20 AM »

$99! Sounds like a heck of a deal. I'm sure they'll deliver...I do tons of mailorder over the web and have had few experiences that were less than satisfactory...many were GREAT.