Best new drive chain option
 

I'm stumped and looking for advice � need to buy a new chain and sprocket kit for the Ten. Original has done just 13,500 (with a scottoiler), but the chain is now toast. I suspect it was the 1,500 miles in the rain the other week that finally killed it.

Anyway, I'm after advice from those who know the bike better than I do. Which is the best chain option. I've found a few (below), but suspect there may be other choices. I assume the OEM Regina is to be avoided given the mileage it's provided.

Tsubaki X-ring from www.bandcexpress.co.uk


or DID VX heavy duty (x-ring) from www.wemoto.com


or Izumi O-Ring from same place


As always, thanks in advance.

Lee

At 60.000km, I�m runnin� my third set of chain&sprockets, so that's an average of 20.000km. And this set is still good for more km's to come. And they are all OEM Yamaha sets, which is here in Holland DID(at least mine are!). All I do is clean it once a month and spray regularly(S100 white chain lube). The cush drive rubbers were replaced at the same intervals.
Greetz, Hans.

Thanks Hans

I've had a lot of people recommend DID chains, but also Tsubaki seem to get good comments from many too. The Regina chain that is on there at the moment was fine for a good 10,000 but it seemed to degrade quite quickly in the last few thousand miles. I've seen Afam chain and sprocket kits on ebay, and heard good things about their sprockets (not too sure about the chains though).

I always use D.I.D VX (or the older VM) chains on my bikes, and I'd also recommend a SuperSprox rear sprocket (steel teeth on an alloy inner ring), together with a steel front sprocket - Renthal are always a good brand for those...

Jx

Thanks Jenny � D.I.D. looking like the best option at the moment. What sort of mileage did you get from those chains?

It's hard to say as it depends on use - if you ride a lot in muddy or dusty/sandy conditions, obviously it will wear faster than if purely on road... people say fitting a scottoiler can significantly prolong the chain life (but I imagine that is when used mainly on the road), but I find that keeping the chain relatively clean and free of crud build-up, and lubing regularly (every couple of days when traveling) should see in excess of 12,000 miles, even in mixed on/off road conditions.

To give a other example - I fitted the combo I mention above for Heroes-Legend, and raced over 5000 miles to Dakar through the desert, only needing to adjust the chain once or maybe twice (we ran it without lube once we got to Morocco), and it was still perfectly good when I got back - only the chain plates had gone rusty being on the ship for three weeks... the sprockets are still on the Tenere and were barely worn - I've just fitted a new chain.

Jx

Finding out which rear Superspox and front sprocket is fun! And the chain to go with it! The sprockets say original so guess they are correct but chosing a chain is interesting....anyone know which one from the drop downs it is please or the equivalent DID one to fit

Thank you

Right, went with a D.I.D VX chain and a new set of sunstar sprockets � original front sprocket was quite hooked, rear didn't look too bad in honesty, but the chain was fubar'd I laid it out straight and could almost bend the tips around to touch each other in a circle.

New bits have transformed the ride � easy to fit too. Took a little over two hours, but much of that was spent cleaning out 14,000 miles worth of grime and chain lube from behind the original front sprocket.

Nice one thanks for the info ...did you find it rides smother and less vibey?

The Ten eats a lot of chains. I think it is the bad transmission damper which causes the sprocket to move side to side wearing the chain's O-rings and finally losing its lubrication from inside. I have never lengthened a chain on my Ten (in 90.000+km) to its limits, there are tight spots in it before it stretches too much.

In Holland a guy made room for a second bearing in the sprocket carrier which can be a good solution.

BTW, I always buy my chains (VX) sprockets combo's on ebay for less then 100 euro's

Hi there,

In line for a sprocket/chain change and I do like the sounds of the JMO combo...just a quick question will this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENTHAL-15...#ht_3731wt_907

fit on the tenere? First time I have done a change and considering the quote offered to me by the dealer, thought I'd do it myself, is the R/X front sprocket the same as the Z in other words?

Thanks,
Tom

Wemoto show a 2mm difference (spline) between the R and Z

front sprocket
 

The R front sprocket will not fit the Z , as stated above . The Z spline is larger.

The bike certainly rides more smoothly, especially rolling off to slow down and gear changes. Vibes are as bad as they've always been (in fact in the last 1000 miles they've got particularly bad hence the change of chain and sprockets � guess my problem lies elsewhere). Bike's due a service in a couple of thousand miles so if the vibes haven't reduced I'm going to get them to look at it as it's still under warranty.

Ok i bought a new front sprocket however the new one has 2 taped holes which I cant see the original has. The second problem is trying to undo the retaining nut!

Has anyone else had the same issure and how did you get around it please? Will the front sprocket fit or have they given me the wrong one?

Easiest way to undo the nut is get someone else to hold the bike upright with their foot firmly planted on the rear brake and the front brake held on (both wheels on the ground, not on a stand) then you can get a long breaker bar on the socket and it should undo fairly easily. Same process to do it up.

Some people claim you should put the bike in gear, but I'm against this as it unnecessarily transmits forces through the engine and gearbox.

The front sprocket sounds the same as mine, two threaded holes (4mm ish?) that don't seem to have a purpose. I must admit I wondered if it was the right one given it's also missing that funny rubber surround from the original, but it seems to be OK and certainly went on alright.

It is a ba5tard getting those single front sprocket nuts off (you have bent the locking tab on the washer out first, right?)... a friend of mine swears by a 18V battery impact gun - takes it off no bother, and no need for a buddy to hold the bike!

As for the two little bolt holes, perhaps that sprocket also fits another bike that uses the alternative retention system of a toothed plate and grove in the output shaft (like a number of Hondas do)?

Obviously on the XT, you fit it using the big single nut (do check if the sprocket is handed with a thicker step in, that side usually goes towards the engine) - ideally you should also replace the tab washer, but they are usually good for at least two changes...

Jx

Mine also had the two tapped holes - I assumed they were there for removal - jacking off - so to speak.

Excellent thanks for the replies, info and advice its much appreciated...Guess what Im doing this weekend :-)

It does on my bike, multiple times, no problem. They all (X, R, Z and MT-03) have the JTF308 front sprocket:
http://www.jtsprockets.com/61.0.html?&L=0 fill in jtf308

You want one of these...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...wrench-kit-12v

Really cheap, powered either by lighter socket or clipping onto a battery, so just take the seat off and clip it to the bike battery. 10 seconds and it's off.

I think your hypothesis about the sprocket also fitting a Honda or Kawasaki with a locking washer is probably correct.

Job done! It was a pig to get off and I resorted to someone standing on the back brake and used a long handled torque wrench as I didnt have anything else handy. Thanks for the help everyone