Chain Issue

[werm_works]

Hey for everybody that has reached 800 miles already may I ask you guys how many times have you adjusted you chain? I have adjusted mine 2 times already and today having about 870 miles my chain is has stretched again. And for the other mechanics and gear heads out there I'm a motorcycle mechanic so I just want to out out that I do have the correct pitch and even had the pitch tested with a rider on it that had the same weight as I do. I'm just concerned about the quality of the chain used, I used to work for a Chopper manufacturer called Rhino MC and the chain we used was not good at all that after several adjustments and 2 chain replacement within 4K miles on my own Rhino Chopper I decided to buy a o ring type diamond 530 chain instead of just getting another replacement from our parts department for free and after an additional 4K miles I only had to adjust my chain once.

   

[Brammofan]

Hiya werm! I'm not to 800 yet but was wondering if you had an idea how much that chain might cost.  According to the owners manual, the Enertia has a 124 link - 420 standard roller chain.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.   

[Phantom]

I have 950 miles on mine and I have not made an adjustment for chain slack yet. I measured the chain slack and it is still within the tolerance range per the original manual.

Are you or anyone else planning to switch out the chain on your Enertia to an o-ring type?

[werm_works]

The Non O-Ring Type Natural color finish runs about $40 in e-bay I'm assuming the O-Ring Type is about 80, I'm planning to change mine to the Gold Finish O-Ring Type this week

[werm_works]

I ended up ordering the RK 420 GBMXZ, unfortunately I cant find the 3 things I want in a chain Gold, O-Ring or X-Ring Type and a minimum tensile strength of 5K lbs.

The RK 420 GBMXZ is a gold chain that has an average tensile strength of 5000 the regina was a few hundred lbs. lower anyways I ordered it at bikebandit.com shipped for $41.38

[Brammofan]

Thanks for the info, werm.  If you can, post pics (or video) of the chain swap.  We love that sort of stuff.

[werm_works]

ok will do

[enertia-ette]

Do you think it comes in pink??   LOL

[werm_works]

I know they do colored chain but not sure about the variety for the 420 chain since its not that common on a street bike market wise.

Anyways here is the pic of my RK Gold chain and I'm glad I changed it, it was way more smoother and extremely quiet.

[Phantom]

Looks great. I'm glad it is an improvement for you.

Do you have any tips for other people who might change out their chain to the same one?

What parts of the Enertia did you have to dis-assemble to change the chain (e.g. lower panel, right side, motor cover, etc.)?

Did you adjust for the exact chain slack you want, or do you leave it a little tighter, then ride the bike to help break it in?

[werm_works]

All I had to use was the Bike Stand needle nose pliers, 2 Size 13 wrenches, a 27 socket for the axle a ruler or caliper to measure and align the axle and a chain breaker since the RK chain model I bought didnt make the exact links I needed so I got a 130 and took off links that I didnt need.

If you dont have a motorcycle stand thats fine it could still be done on the its side stand. And I did not need to take off anything but the chain, first thing I did was take off the cotter pin with my needle nose then loosen the axle with the 27 the with the 2 size 13 wrenches I tightened the tensioner bolts on both sides all the way in then I kicked the tire to move all the way forward then used the needle nose pliers to take off the chain link retainer then used the link to connect my new chain with the old chain while I spin the wheel all the way till its just the new chain on it then I remover the link and the old chain and connected the link to the other half of then chain then began aligning it which is also shown how in the owners manual.

In regards to breaking a chain, there are a couple of chain breaker types so I wonbt be discussing that here but I'm sure youtube has it

[Phantom]

Thanks for the tips. I have a rear wheel stand that use I when I clean the chain. When I do swap out the chain, I will reference your post.

[Brammofan]

That does look great - I don't know why I hadn't thought of that whole 'connect the new chain to the old chain' idea, but it makes perfect sense.  Thanks for sharing the info.

[werm_works]

No problemo...

[werm_works]

Update on the RK chain I got, at 3k miles I have totally stretched out the chain, I contacted RK and they said that Bikebandit.com has misled me with their description, the chain is joust meant for of road and that none of the RK chain line is pre stretched and the chain I got was for off road only and did not have any warranty even if bike bandit stated it's also for road and has a 1 year warranty, so I hope nobody has bought this chain, I'm switching to Regina chain