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  #1  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
That is a sign - pay attention when you need to do things frequently .. something is about to go.

Any chain will ware .. once worn to a certain extent it should be replaced ..

On my DR650 if the rear wheel is adjusted 2 full marks backwards from having a new chain then it is at the limit of that chains ware .. there are many more marks available .. but the chain itself has reached its life according to the manufactures ware limit. After that you are on borrowed time .. and because the chain is worn it will are the sprockets faster too..


KevOK .. I'd be looking for a new front sprocket ... just in case.
Frank,
Different subject, but I've found that a 14t sprocket gets too well-worn before the chain is gone on my bike. A 15t has been different, going with the life of the chain.
Although conditions are always different and it's not been correctly measured tests, I believe that the 14t cuts the chain life to some important degree.
I really like the 14t/43t gearing for my needs.
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  #2  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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Originally Posted by Lone Rider View Post
Frank,
Different subject, but I've found that a 14t sprocket gets too well-worn before the chain is gone on my bike. A 15t has been different, going with the life of the chain.
Although conditions are always different and it's not been correctly measured tests, I believe that the 14t cuts the chain life to some important degree.
I really like the 14t/43t gearing for my needs.
I can't think why you would notice a measured difference between a 14 and 15 sprocket. But if you want to keep the gearing the same you could use a 15 front with a 46 rear and have almost the same ratio.
14 / 43 is 3.071 to 1 and 15 / 46 is 3.067 to 1. It does mean you need a longer chain but worth concidering next time you change the sprockets. Check to see you have extra clearence for the chain on the larger sprockets with the swing arm movement.

Steve
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  #3  
Old 6 Dec 2007
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Chain drive systems ... best effeciency wise if the sprocket sizes arte 16 tooth and up ..

The DR is poor that way ..
As the sprokets get smaller you increase ware on both sproket and chain ..

---------------------
On large rear sprokets .. chain speed in increaes as you'd expect.
And cheking the cahin clearence is an issue with the suspension fully compresssed on the top chain roller .. think that is why some have had it break.


Edit
Opps ... Susi DR .. not teh F650 .. don't know the detail there... the 16 tooth info remains the same.
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  #4  
Old 11 Dec 2007
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Rapid chain wear on an F650
Kev

I've had a similar experience, although I think the chain lasted 3000 miles. It was a standard BMW chain, lubed through a Scottoiler. Thinking back, it happened shortly after I did a trip heavily loaded with luggage and my wife (we're both a bit too large for an F650). Maybe that contributed. The chain seemed to stretch over just part of its length, with tight and slack sections. After that it couldn't be correctly adjusted.

The F650 seems to go through chains at an alarming rate. The best I got was 10,000 miles from a Renthal X-ring. I've heard that the DID O-ring is the best.

Robert
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  #5  
Old 11 Dec 2007
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DID X ring
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Originally Posted by Roboyobo View Post
Kev

The F650 seems to go through chains at an alarming rate. The best I got was 10,000 miles from a Renthal X-ring. I've heard that the DID O-ring is the best.

Robert
D.I.D "X" ring is the mutts.
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  #6  
Old 11 Dec 2007
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DID it is for me too.Never had one break ever,but then i do pamper them a bit and am very particular about tension and lube.A couple of points worth noting if you're going RTW with a DID chain is to take a couple of spare DID split links with you and that spare few links you cut off when you fitted the chain in the first place....DID links are slightly different size to all other makes and nothing else will fit! Another tip (enduro riders use this) if you're riding in rocky/shaley terrain is to run your chain a tiny bit slacker than normal as it reduces the chance of breakage by small stones getting between sprocket and chain.Sprocket tooth wear will be accelerated though so re-adjust when you get off the rough bits.
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Old 13 Dec 2007
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Chain
Best IMHO is the DID 520 VZ X-ring
Next one down and the the one is the DID Gold 520VM -Xring
+ original BMW front and rear sprokets.

Best practice is to change all 3 at the same time if you can.
Chain tension is very important -and lube properly
Should last a loooong time.
A few spare links are good to and I always have the chain sealed properly when new- It does mean dropping the swing arm to replace.
And as has been said before - you should really be carrying a spare. especially on a RTW!
DID Gold 520 VM Xring features: Tensile Strength 8120 lbs. Max bike engine size cc 750
specific: wear resistance 3450, standard = 100
BTW I ride a F650GS Dakar- perfect for it in sand, mud and under water in Africa!
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Last edited by Bertrand; 14 Dec 2007 at 13:52.
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