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RE: [ST] Chains
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Just changed the chain on my 00 RS. You're in luck because I've done an
exhaustive investigation. My results are:
1) The main stream manufacturers (i.e. Regina, RK, EK, Tsubaki, etc.) are
all of good quality. Basically a chain is a chain.
2) The tensile strength's of all the different brands were very close to one
another, within +/- 100 lbs. So you'd be talking 9800 vs. 9700. It's no
big deal.
3) One major difference is the wear index of the chain. However this data
is much harder to find. In the marketing propaganda, the manufacturers
publlish tensile strength and O-ring performance. You'll have to contact
manufacturer's direct, and even then it's like pulling teeth from an
alligator. It does seem that there's a compromise between tensile strength
and wear index. A high tensile strength, say 10,000 lbs, will not have as
good a wear index as a 9800 lb chain.
4) Another MAJOR difference is the O-ring. The better the O-ring design -
the better it seals, and the longer the chain will last if properly
maintained.
5) The three types I ran across are:
A) Standard O-ring
B) "X" style O-ring
C) "Z" style O-ring.
If you believe all the marketing and technical mumbo jumbo from Regina, then
their ZRP model chain ("Z" O-ring design) seals the best - keeping the dirt
and water out and the grease/lube in the roller. (i.e. no O-ring is the
worst, O is the lowest, X gives better sealing, and Z gives even more
sealing)
The ZRP series is much more expensive. I personally opted for the middle of
the road. I went with the "X" style O-ring from RK, the 530XSO. The stock
chain was a Regina standard O-ring.
I do believe the X style does offer more sealing capablility than the
standard O-ring. Since I only have 4 miles on the new chain, it's too early
to tell if it will last longer.
BTW - I also changed the gearing to 17/43. It doesn't jump as much as I was
anticipating. In hindsight, since I don't do much highway, I should have
went with a 17/45 instead.
- -----Original Message-----
From: jrice [mailto:jrice@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 7:43 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ST] Chains
I'm going to have to change my chain shortly and would like opinions as to
what the best brand is for a ST '01 used in track and street. Any advise
will be greatly appreciated.
scorpio2000
Sprint ST '01 Blue
Katana 600 '02
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<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just
changed the chain on my 00 RS. You're in luck because I've done an
exhaustive investigation. My results are:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>1) The
main stream manufacturers (i.e. Regina, RK, EK, Tsubaki, etc.) are all of good
quality. Basically a chain is a chain.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>2) The
tensile strength's of all the different brands were very close to one another,
within +/- 100 lbs. So you'd be talking 9800 vs. 9700. It's no big
deal. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>3) One major difference is the wear index of the chain.
However this data is much harder to find. In the marketing propaganda, the
manufacturers publlish tensile strength and O-ring performance. You'll
have to contact manufacturer's direct, and even then it's like pulling teeth
from an alligator. It does seem that there's a compromise between tensile
strength and wear index. A high tensile strength, say 10,000 lbs, will not
have as good a wear index as a 9800 lb chain.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>4) Another MAJOR difference is the O-ring. The better the
O-ring design - the better it seals, and the longer the chain will last if
properly maintained.</FONT></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>5) The
three types I ran across are:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004> <FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>A) Standard O-ring</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004> <FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>B) "X" style O-ring</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004> <FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>C) "Z" style O-ring.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>If you
believe all the marketing and technical mumbo jumbo from Regina, then their ZRP
model chain ("Z" O-ring design) seals the best - keeping the dirt and water out
and the grease/lube in the roller. (i.e. no O-ring is the worst, O is the
lowest, X gives better sealing, and Z gives even more
sealing)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>The
ZRP series is much more expensive. I personally opted for the middle of
the road. I went with the "X" style O-ring from RK, the 530XSO.
The stock chain was a Regina standard O-ring.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I do
believe the X style does offer more sealing capablility than the standard
O-ring. Since I only have 4 miles on the new chain, it's too early to tell
if it will last longer.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=886500514-28012004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>BTW -
I also changed the gearing to 17/43. It doesn't jump as much as I was
anticipating. In hindsight, since I don't do much highway, I should have
went with a 17/45 instead.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> jrice
[mailto:jrice@xxxxxxxxxx]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, January 27, 2004 7:43
PM<BR><B>To:</B> ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx<BR><B>Subject:</B> [ST]
Chains<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm going to have to change my chain shortly and
would like opinions as to what the best brand is for a ST '01 used in track
and street. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>scorpio2000</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sprint ST '01 Blue</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Katana 600
'02</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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