Triumphrat

jaak

I'm at 16K miles (06) and very close to my first chain/sprockets change.
I've read good things about X-ring chains. Has anybody experimented with aftermarket chains. Any tips on brands, types, longevity etc is much appreciated!

thanks,

jaak

FifeTiger

I replaced my original at 21k, but it really was wrecked, the sideways play in the plates was quite scary.

I too hummed and hawed about whether to just take a heavy duty O ring, having read various chain 'experts' comments that the manufacturers were just out to sell you the latest chain at the highest price.

One sensible comment was to check the tensile strength rating of the chain from different manufacturers. That's all well and good but I couldn't find that info anywhere.

In the end I got a DID XVM super duper heavy duty chain for little more than a heavy duty O ring.

10k later I think it's been adjusted once for stretch, that's a mark of the strength of the chain I reckon.

clive955

Im just about to do a full chain and sprocket change on my 02 at 20k. After a lot of calling around I went to Stealth in MCN and got a 18 tooth front 45 rear and x ring chain with 12 month warrenty for 80 quid. Compared to what Triumph want im prepared to give this a go and see how it compares. I never really thrash the tiger and most of my stuff is touring so pretty sedate really and with a Scottoiler im hopeing iv got it right.

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Green is Mean

BigStripey

I have used D.I.D. 'X' ring chains on both my Tigers, and they have been excellent, especially when used with a Scottoiler. I had mine off the bike last month for a good old flush out and even though i have done 14,000 miles on this chain and sprockets, there is no significant play in the chain bearings or side plates. There is some......but that is to be expected after all but it is only slight and well within acceptable levels of wear.

I tend to ride 'progressively' and they certainly seem to take the pasting that i give them.

I got the Chain and Sprockets as a D.I.D. Package from my local parts supplier. The sprockets are pretty cheap, but as you might imagine, the 530 VM chain with that many links is not regardless of who makes it.

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Big Stripey

I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw

ridin-gaijin

I'm heading towards my 24k and am wondering if I've missed something. Should the chain & sprockets need to be replaced? Mine look fine...Am I not riding it hard enough...?

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05 Tiger, of course

Outward - ridin loathes your marketing

jaak

24K, That's about the absolute reported maximum I've heard, so take a hard look and decide. Then again you and your riding conditions might be very nice to your chain. I did an 8200 ml cross-country trip in the middle of which my centerstand started to fail. With all the luggage on board I got lazy about rolling and oiling it . And I rain, dirt and even some snow on my way. So 16K is a pretty goo result. And it's still alive, might get a few thousand easy miles out of it.

blacktiger

My first & original chain went to 33000 miles and I only replaced it for "peace of mind". I've had a Scott-oiler from new. Although I put a 19t front sprocket on at 25K because the original was badly hooked and was getting noisey, the rear looked almost new when I replaced it.
I put excactly the same chain on as the original...530VM X-Ring. The 2nd chain has now done 14000 and still looks good. I'll probably put a new front sprocket on soon to try to make it last even longer than the first.......What's that you say? TIGHT? Me?

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H
'02 Tiger955i in black.

ridin-gaijin

Well, I'll own up to not being completely serious in my post...I've had the thing on the track, in the dirt plenty of times, and on a few multi-k slab trips myself. Basically I always try to lube it each time I fill the gas tank. This has led to a pretty dirty rear wheel! And the chain gets checked at oil changes (8 so far I think) and of course rear tire changes (4 so far). Other than that, I also have to confess, last week was the first time I ever took off all the plastic housing covers and cleaned out the filth buildup. I'm just running the chain with WD-40 for a few hundred miles to get everything all cleaned out. Chain and sprockets both look wonderful still.

(I also don't weigh a lot--~150 lbs--and pack very, very light, even across country. I wonder if that has anything to do with it, but I kinda doubt it...)

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05 Tiger, of course

Outward - ridin loathes your marketing

FifeTiger

When you say 'checked' what do you mean ?

Checked for vertical play ?

Can you lift the chain off the rear sprocket ?

Can you flex it sideways indicating the plates are wearing ?

ridin-gaijin

In this case "checked" means the dealer inspects and adjusts it. Pulling off the rear sprocket: I can sort of budge it about 1/8" if I pull straight back from the rear of the sprocket. Side flex--I tried this in a few places and found the most wiggle room right at the centerstand (bike on kickstand). At that point, which looks sort like the middle of the bottom of the chain, in can touch the centerstand if I pull it that way.

Too much...?

I just finished about 250 miles with no lube, only WD-40, and re-cleaned the sprockets and chain. Then I lubed it up again so's I can return to the days of glorious filth.



Here is Carly (7), replacing the sprocket cover. I had her remove, clean and replace the chain guard and [front] sprocket cover. She didn't charge a penny, either.

Here are two wonderfully out-of-focus shots of the rear. If you sit back from your monitor about 4 feet they look a tiny bit better. These were the least worst of about a dozen attempts.





...We had a wonderful day for riding in the Connecticut hills. Thanks to Mike from Libby's RAT pack for putting it together!

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05 Tiger, of course

Outward - ridin loathes your marketing