How many hours before you replace your chain?

Muscle-Milk-KTM
Edited Date/Time 2/20/2019 3:40pm
The problem I have is, I never truly know when my chain is fully past it's best. I never ride in really muddy conditions, always lubed & properly tensioned. After I clean my bike, I douse it with loads of WD-40 to stop the rust until I take it to work, let it sit in degreaser for 8 hours, hot wash, air line the water out of it then another dousing of WD-40. Rinse and repeat. Chain has done approximately 20 hours, sprockets are not that bad.

Chain is a D.I.D 520 ERT2.

Bike is a YZ125.

Is there a magic number you get to when you change yours?

Also what are the signs that the chain is worn out?
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kb228
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kb228 7/31/2018 12:12pm
7/31/2018 12:12pm
I have a DID gold on my 450. Have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 hours on it and the sprockets and no sign of wear.

Had a primary drive on before that and it lasted 10ish before i tossed it.

Excessive wear is side to side bend. It shouldnt flex too much. If it does its worn out.

I dont know the real number of hours to change chains. I do mine when they flex side to side too much or every 3 adjustments(ish). Its all dependant on maintenance and s***.

bf884
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bf884 7/31/2018 2:46pm
7/31/2018 2:46pm
Muscle-Milk-KTM wrote:
The problem I have is, I never truly know when my chain is fully past it's best. I never ride in really muddy conditions, always lubed...
The problem I have is, I never truly know when my chain is fully past it's best. I never ride in really muddy conditions, always lubed & properly tensioned. After I clean my bike, I douse it with loads of WD-40 to stop the rust until I take it to work, let it sit in degreaser for 8 hours, hot wash, air line the water out of it then another dousing of WD-40. Rinse and repeat. Chain has done approximately 20 hours, sprockets are not that bad.

Chain is a D.I.D 520 ERT2.

Bike is a YZ125.

Is there a magic number you get to when you change yours?

Also what are the signs that the chain is worn out?
I would vacuum seal it will lithium grease after that hot bath
harescrambled
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harescrambled 8/1/2018 9:19am
8/1/2018 9:19am Edited Date/Time 8/3/2018 2:57pm
Excessive side to side playis one indicator. Also if you grab a link at the back of the rear sprocket, in line with the swingarm and pull it away from the sprocket, you should uncover less than half a tooth on the sprocket. And more and your sprocket and/or chain needs to be replaced. Lastly, if the chain rollers are just slopping around on the pins you need a new chain

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casper
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casper 8/1/2018 10:09am
8/1/2018 10:09am
I ride mine until the teeth fall off. Can really tell how many hours this was but my bike has 135 hours on it and this was the stock replacement.

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kb228
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kb228 8/1/2018 10:50am
8/1/2018 10:50am
casper wrote:
I ride mine until the teeth fall off. Can really tell how many hours this was but my bike has 135 hours on it and this...
I ride mine until the teeth fall off. Can really tell how many hours this was but my bike has 135 hours on it and this was the stock replacement.

I found a ronnie mac tech tip
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sandman768
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sandman768 8/1/2018 1:25pm
8/1/2018 1:25pm
450"s eat chains up pretty fast, I get about 20-22 hrs out of a RK gbmxu oring chain. Once the rollers get loose in the pins & you can feel movement on the sprocket, I replaced everything....much cheaper than throwing a chain & wasting an engine side case...
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mx317
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mx317 8/2/2018 9:02am
8/2/2018 9:02am
I usually get around 20 hrs on a chain. I have been running the stock KTM chain and then replacing it with a Regina which is the same thing. I used to get long life from a DID ERT2 chain, but not the last couple. I think they changed them and now I think they have a ERT3 if I'm not mistaken.
DynoDan22
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DynoDan22 8/2/2018 9:52am
8/2/2018 9:52am
I usually get 25hrs or so on a good chain (DID ERT3). A good way to check the wear of the chain is to measure a 24 link span. Since the pin to pin distance is .625", 25 links = 15.00". As a rule of thumb, once you get to 15 3/32" (3/32" increased length) it's probably time to replace as it will start eating sprockets quickly. I use a 18" ruler and put the chain in tension by placing a little pressure on the bottom part of the chain (while still on the bike obviously) with my foot and measure 24 links. This has worked well for me in the past.
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Johnny89superbike 8/2/2018 5:52pm
8/2/2018 5:52pm
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am still on my second set (one replacement plus the stockers) and they are still good !

I use RK x-ring chains, alloy rear sprocket and lube it with spray-can grease about 4 times a day.
theycallmeebryan 8/2/2018 7:43pm
8/2/2018 7:43pm
Johnny89superbike wrote:
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am...
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am still on my second set (one replacement plus the stockers) and they are still good !

I use RK x-ring chains, alloy rear sprocket and lube it with spray-can grease about 4 times a day.
I'd typically get ~30 hours of use out of a DID ERT2/3 before needing to replace. Usually about every 2nd rear tire change. I'd typically wear out a tire beyond my comfort zone in about 15 hours of riding. An aluminum sprocket lasts about as long as the chain. The Dirt Tricks Zirconium sprocket lasts to about the 4th chain replacement.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 8/2/2018 10:56pm
8/2/2018 10:56pm
Riding and racing MX it would be hard for me to trust a chain after 50 hours. I could never run one 100+ hours, no way.
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cody41
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cody41 8/3/2018 7:46am
8/3/2018 7:46am
Replace the chain and sprockets when one of your sprockets are getting cupped out and sharp
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mx317
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mx317 8/3/2018 8:10am
8/3/2018 8:10am
Johnny89superbike wrote:
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am...
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am still on my second set (one replacement plus the stockers) and they are still good !

I use RK x-ring chains, alloy rear sprocket and lube it with spray-can grease about 4 times a day.
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3 hours on a practice day until I got a meter.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 8/3/2018 9:07am
8/3/2018 9:07am Edited Date/Time 8/3/2018 9:14am
On a 450? 20 hours, tops.

The 450 destroys rear tires and chains.
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Johnny89superbike 8/5/2018 9:31pm
8/5/2018 9:31pm
Johnny89superbike wrote:
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am...
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am still on my second set (one replacement plus the stockers) and they are still good !

I use RK x-ring chains, alloy rear sprocket and lube it with spray-can grease about 4 times a day.
mx317 wrote:
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3...
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3 hours on a practice day until I got a meter.
Fair question, the bike had an hour-meter on it when I bought it off the first owner (a friend on mine), it had 70 hours showing on it, but it had stopped working. Still with original chain & sprockets.

I own my own track and average riding there every second weekend from 2012 to 2018, and ride a minimum of 4 x 15min moto's each day I ride, lubing before each ride (150 hours).

My track is not sand, nor is there any mud, some days I don't even have to wash the bike!

150 hours + 70 = 220 at least. :-)

AND believe it or not, for most of the time that I have had the bike, I used spray-cans of canola cooking spray from the local supermarket for $1.50 a can (why I used it so frequently).
kb228
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kb228 8/6/2018 2:18am
8/6/2018 2:18am
Johnny89superbike wrote:
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am...
I can't believe how few hours you guys are getting out of your chain & sprockets, my 2011 RMZ450 has done about 250 hours, I am still on my second set (one replacement plus the stockers) and they are still good !

I use RK x-ring chains, alloy rear sprocket and lube it with spray-can grease about 4 times a day.
mx317 wrote:
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3...
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3 hours on a practice day until I got a meter.
Johnny89superbike wrote:
Fair question, the bike had an hour-meter on it when I bought it off the first owner (a friend on mine), it had 70 hours showing...
Fair question, the bike had an hour-meter on it when I bought it off the first owner (a friend on mine), it had 70 hours showing on it, but it had stopped working. Still with original chain & sprockets.

I own my own track and average riding there every second weekend from 2012 to 2018, and ride a minimum of 4 x 15min moto's each day I ride, lubing before each ride (150 hours).

My track is not sand, nor is there any mud, some days I don't even have to wash the bike!

150 hours + 70 = 220 at least. :-)

AND believe it or not, for most of the time that I have had the bike, I used spray-cans of canola cooking spray from the local supermarket for $1.50 a can (why I used it so frequently).
Yeah if its clean(hard to believe but ill give you the benefit of the doubt) chains will last hundreds of hours. Ive got 6k miles on my streetbike chain and sprockets and theyre still prestine. Its all maintenance.

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mikec265
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mikec265 8/6/2018 9:14am
8/6/2018 9:14am
Op, that's a lot of work on a chain. I wish I had that kind of time.
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Muscle-Milk-KTM 8/6/2018 9:42am
8/6/2018 9:42am
mikec265 wrote:
Op, that's a lot of work on a chain. I wish I had that kind of time.
Ha ha, it sounds it but it isn't really, not including the chain sitting in the degreasing fluid, takes about 10 minutes.
fourfourone
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fourfourone 8/7/2018 10:48am
8/7/2018 10:48am
shit, I hose mine off when I'm pressure washing it and then throw on some chain lube after it dries. I usually end up doing chain and sprockets in the beginning of each season. I only ride about 30 hours per year. Mostly spent doing motos on practice days.
nascarnate326 8/7/2018 6:12pm
8/7/2018 6:12pm
fourfourone wrote:
shit, I hose mine off when I'm pressure washing it and then throw on some chain lube after it dries. I usually end up doing chain...
shit, I hose mine off when I'm pressure washing it and then throw on some chain lube after it dries. I usually end up doing chain and sprockets in the beginning of each season. I only ride about 30 hours per year. Mostly spent doing motos on practice days.
Same here. Once a year and I am good to go
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 8/7/2018 6:58pm
8/7/2018 6:58pm
2-3 chains per/year and a countershaft/ 2 rear sprockets. 1 chain block and slider. And yeah to the side to side slop, that’s when I get nervous
Johnny89superbike 8/7/2018 7:42pm
8/7/2018 7:42pm
mx317 wrote:
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3...
Do you have an hour meter, or just estimating? Not being an ass, just wondering because I used to tell people I was riding about 2-3 hours on a practice day until I got a meter.
Johnny89superbike wrote:
Fair question, the bike had an hour-meter on it when I bought it off the first owner (a friend on mine), it had 70 hours showing...
Fair question, the bike had an hour-meter on it when I bought it off the first owner (a friend on mine), it had 70 hours showing on it, but it had stopped working. Still with original chain & sprockets.

I own my own track and average riding there every second weekend from 2012 to 2018, and ride a minimum of 4 x 15min moto's each day I ride, lubing before each ride (150 hours).

My track is not sand, nor is there any mud, some days I don't even have to wash the bike!

150 hours + 70 = 220 at least. :-)

AND believe it or not, for most of the time that I have had the bike, I used spray-cans of canola cooking spray from the local supermarket for $1.50 a can (why I used it so frequently).
kb228 wrote:
Yeah if its clean(hard to believe but ill give you the benefit of the doubt) chains will last hundreds of hours. Ive got 6k miles on...
Yeah if its clean(hard to believe but ill give you the benefit of the doubt) chains will last hundreds of hours. Ive got 6k miles on my streetbike chain and sprockets and theyre still prestine. Its all maintenance.
My roadbike, 2006 GSXR1000, road & race with alloy 520 conversion, the bike has done 80,000 km's, second front sprocket, fourth chain but I continually swap different size rears so haven't needed to buy another yet.
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ron36
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ron36 8/12/2018 1:59pm
8/12/2018 1:59pm
125, 250 or 450 always 20 hours. 3 or 4 sets a year. I take no risk, if it breaks and damages the cases cost more. Ride 80% of time in deep sand. If you ride hard pack only you can make more hours. In winter time with alot of muddy i can't reach 20 hours..
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 8/12/2018 2:39pm
8/12/2018 2:39pm
Just bought my last chain till next year- Protaper Slim o-ring. No more chain lube, love it.
soopah noviss 8/13/2018 11:40am
8/13/2018 11:40am Edited Date/Time 8/13/2018 11:41am
swtwtwtw wrote:
Just bought my last chain till next year- Protaper Slim o-ring. No more chain lube, love it.
Hmmm....sounds appealing.

What's the deal with these and all the other O/X ring chains? No lube? They don't seem to be used that much for strictly MX. Is there really that much more drag with these style chains that even Joe 6-pack would notice the performance impact? Also, are there clearance concerns when switching to an O-ring from a traditional chain?
murph783
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murph783 8/13/2018 12:22pm
8/13/2018 12:22pm
I’ve got an RK X ring chain on right now, honestly I haven’t been that impressed. Got maybe 20 hours on it, I clean it with an “O ring safe” chain cleaner and lube with chain lube that claims the same, and the rings are shrunken up to the point that the rollers free spin. No worse time wise than a traditional one, but it sure cost more
Andy7
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Andy7 2/18/2019 4:44pm
2/18/2019 4:44pm

That's past the bravery limit of anyone I think
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Falcon
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Falcon 2/19/2019 5:14pm
2/19/2019 5:14pm
I always replace the chain and sprockets as a set, whenever the rear sprocket starts getting cupped out.
Honestly, the chain itself is probably good to go a little longer but why risk it?
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