Need help picking a new chain

I have a used 1999 900ss with 6500 miles. It sat for 2 years and the chain has rust, I would like to change it. I dont know anything about chains. Can somebody recomend a chain for me. I need to know what length to purchase and if Xring or Oring makes a difference. Oh and a good place to buy it from. Im thinking Ebay. But im mostly concerned with the price.

thanks in advanced.
NowiS

Here you go: http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/s....html .

http://www.sprocketcenter.com

I think a lot of people go with the DID 520VM for our bikes. I did, and it is an excellent chain. It says "for up to 750cc", but it is fine for our 2V air cooled bikes! The factory installs the DID 520VL, which is lower spec than the 520VM. The chain is an X-ring chain, which is a big improvement over O-ring. The problem with the 520VL is it comes with a clip type master link. A rivet master link is better, and only costs about $6.00. Order one of those too. You'll need a tool to install it, or you could put the clip type on, and ride down to a bike shop or a friends house that will rivet the other link on for you. The tools are pretty expensive, especially for a one time use thing.

The stock number of links is 96. Many people go up three teeth on the rear sprocket, or down 1 tooth on the front sprocket. This is a huge improvement over the way-too-high geared set up form the factory. Now is a good time to decide which way to go. If you go up three in the rear, you'll really need to go 98 links. Going down one in the front you can stay at 96. In any case, you will be ordering a chain with 100 links and have it cut down to what you need. Oh, the stock gearing is 15T front, 40T rear.

Hope this helps.


Modified by redduck at 3:43 AM 5/24/2005

Agree with with what redduc says about the DID chains. I just put a new DID ERV racing chain on my Aprilia and it is a quality piece. Also agree about clip type master links, bad stuff. I popped the coin for the motion pro chain tool, it is pricey but made the job a breeze. Very good tool.

I wouldn't go any smaller than 15 on the front. 14 and lower on large bikes will cause the chain to wear sooner. Not a major deal, but 15/42 would be perfect for this bike. That is the same gearing I am running on my Aprilia and makes around town driving much more pleasurable not to mention, makes the bike much livelier in 2/3rd gear in the mountains.

Chains and sprokets are an area I wouldn't skimp on and don't by Vortex. They suck and wear faster than tin foil. The only aluminum sprokets I would use are Sidewinder or Sproket Specialist that are hardened.

I have an RRP aluminum rear sprocket on my Marvic rim (no steel ones fit) and with the DID ERV2 chain, both look brand new after 6,500 miles (I keep em clean).

I have the DID as well but have heard you really can't go wrong with most modern day X-ring chains from most of the big manufacturers...EK, RK, Regina and DID. For example, if you wanted color, EK makes colored x-ring chains that are great quality. Kinda wish I had went with a red EK myself, but oh well. If you go with the DID, definately contact Chris at CA-Cycleworks.

I got a regina chain that works good and looks better...gold, 20k warranty I think they say

sprocket center website asks what gearing you are running and cuts the chain the right length, so all you have to do is put it on.

Thanks for all the info I have decided to go with the DID 520VM. I dont know how many sprockets i have on the front and rear. Later on tonight i will have to open it up and count the spikes. Can you guys give me some sort of price rang on the DID 520VM and sprockets?
thanks.

NowiS

http://www.sprocketcenter.com (cheapest)

Ok i checked and counted the spikes. Im running 15front and 40 rear. And the chain that is currently on says Japan DID 520VL. Some of the tips of the front sprockets are smaller than other tips, mostlikely I will be getting a new one. What will going down from 15f to 14f do?

NowiS

From your description, it sounds like you may have some broken teeth on your front sprocket. Odd at 6500 miles. Maybe a pic would help? If you are going to replace everything, I would suggest that you go up two or three teeth on the rear sprocket, and stay at 15T on the front. The 15/43 combo is VERY nice and is what I am currently running. At 80 MPH in 6th gear, my engine is turning around 5000RPM. Very good pull in the first few gears. 2nd gear throttle wheelies are possible (not that I would recommend that ). If you do not plan to replace the rear sprocket, you can go down one tooth on the front (which has the same effect as going up 3 on the rear). There is probably some disadvantage to doing this, but if there is, it is very negligible. Ducati 748/749s come with a 14T front from the factory. I ran a 14/40 combo for over 14K miles with out problems.

None of the teeth are broken they are more like every 2 or 3 spokes are just a tad shorter that others. Im buying a 14F and new chain for from sprocketcenter this coming payday. My rear is still ok.

Thanks for everyones input. Its really helpful. Being that I am new to the duc world I will probably post more help issues in the future.

NowiS