Say guys I typed this in a long time ago. Stored in a special folder.
I don't think I have the mag around. Hope this helps.
Ken Swartz
CHAIN FACTS
MOTOR CYCLIST AUG 92 PG 56
Chain drive is efficient and cheap it allows gear ratios to be changed
relatively easily and tolerates more abuse than any shaft or belt. On
non-o-ring chains use a good quality spray chain lube. Ride the bike to warm
up the chain then spray the chain between the plates on both sides then
between the plates and the rollers. The only lubricant most o-ring chains
need is a rust inhibitor. Use 30 weight oil or six-in-one or a lubricant
made for o-rings. If the chain gets wet use WD-40 or Kal-Gard 30/30 to
displace the moisture that promotes rust. Cleaning opinions differ. RK
recommends a brush or rag dipped in kerosene while Tsubaki specifies spraying
WD-40 in the chain. In any case, never use detergents of a car-wash because
water that penetrates the chain causes rust and shortens chain life.
Avoid soaking o-ring chains in any solvent like kerosene and don't clean
the chain in an industrial parts washer or solvent tank. The solvent swells
the o-rings, destroying the chains self lubricating properties. In wet
weather an o-ring chain needs lubrication every couple of hundred miles as
the lubricant is washed off.
Replace a chain if rusty or has noticeable kinks or tight spots or the
stretch is over 3 percent. With the bike on its stand and the transmission
in gear, pull the wheel backward to tension the chain. Then measure the
distance between 19 pins on the bottom run. For 520 or 530 chain the
distance should be no more than 12 1/8 inches, while 630 chain should be 15 �
or less.
Inspect front and rear sprockets for hooked or shiny worn patches.
Run-out of more than .005 inch means the sprocket needs replaced. If your
bikes comes with a non-o-ring and you want to use an o-ring check that there
is enough clearance on chain guards for o-ring chains are wider
Numbers sizes of chains. The first digit determines the pitch or the
distance between pin centers, in eighths of an inch. 420 and 428 have 4/8
inch pitch, while 520,525,530 and 532 have 5/8 inch pitch. 630 has 6/8 inch
pitch. The second number generally denotes roller width, in eight's inches,
between plates. 520 chain has 2/8 inch wide, 530 has 3/8 inch wide, 428 is
odd with 5/16 inch wide rollers. 530 vrs 532 roller diameter. 530 rollers
are .400 inch while 532 chain is .435 inch.
When cold o-ring chain feels stiff to the touch, and the links are more
difficult to bend by hand. After a couple of miles of riding the lubricant
inside the links warm up and the links free up and power loss disappears.
Once the non-o-ring chain gets hot it is less efficient than o-ring chains.
As the weakest link in the chain the master link should be used only once.
If you split an endless chain, a riveting link should be used to attach the
ends. The designers don't trust the strength of the particular master link
that works with that brand of chain.
