[indueng]

I have the 520 AFAM -1/+2 conversion with the DID 520 ERV3 racing chain. I've been having problems with my chain slacking way too much. I barely have 10000km on my chain and sprockets and now I notice there are piece of the x-rings coming out of the chain links and some links have already lost their rubber. Is this normal. I've been treating my chain to WD-40 and frances equipment white chain grease every 700km as indicated in the instruction manual. Is this normal wear and tear or do I have something wrong here.

Thanks. Alex.

 

[indueng]

Also, I noticed that the slackness of my chain varies as I rotate the back wheel of the bike.

If this why the bike comes stock with a 525 pitch. Is 520 unable to handle the load of wheelies and aggressive driving habits?

 

[indueng]

nah man. I've been very meticulous about my chain. Always cleaning and lubbing and tightening. I'm very power wheelie happy though in 1st gear. Is this the problem?

 

[indueng]

yeah. I guess the WD 40 is at fault here.

I've been cleaning my chain by running it in first on the rear stand while spraying wd-40 into the two slots where the rubbers are found. Then I would wrap a cloth of paper towels (bounty or whatever) around the chain still while running the wheel in first, to absorb the WD-40 and remove the grease. Based on what you guys are saying about drying out the rubber, I guess this is not the way to go?

Yes, I tend to ride my bike very hard. I rarely spin the back tire and I'll be lucky to get 3000 miles out of it. As mentioned before, I do a lot of wheelies, which can't help either.

My dilemma is that my sprockets are still in relatively good shape from a visual inspection and it hurts to chuck them out for 525, because I'm definitly not gonna be happy going back to my original sprockets. I'm addicted to -1/+2. Should I revise my cleaning habits to preserve the o-rings and just buy a new 520 chain and use my old sprockets (perhaps the ZVM2 series which is even rated for 1000cc according to DID website www.didchain.com) or should I just fold the hand and pick up a decent 525 chain and new 525 -1/+2 sprockets?

 

[indueng]

So then this is all caused by WD-40? Is this right?

 

[indueng]

As I mentioned earlier, the chain had about 6000 mileson it. However, the stock chain is good for much more based on the service manual i think. To add to the confusion, ceph claims that 520 aftermarket is often stronger or as strong as the 525 stock. Whereas,in contrast, you are claiming that the 520 carries less miles than a 525.

Man, I wish there was a chain/sprocket god in town to sort out this mess?

 

[indueng]

Thanks a bunch Ceph. I'll re-order my 520 ERV3 Chain and limit cleaning to x-ring safe products. Who knew WD-40 could destroy a chain when it seems like WD-40 has been mentioned so many times on this forum when it comes to chain cleaning.

 

[indueng]

I think I'm good on the lube side since I have some Honda chain lube which is o ring safe. The real problem here is when it comes to cleaning. Should I use Motul chain cleaner or kerosene or...? That's about all I know about aside from WD-40.

 

[indueng]

I just re-ordered the 520ERV3 chain from ridersinc.com. I'm gonna use it on my old sprockets which are still in good shape. Thanks for all the great info guys.

Thank god for 600rr.net!