O- ring rear drive chain or not ?

[neilw]

I'm going to use a primary belt drive to stop the oil from messing up my rear tire,so I'm wondering about an O-ring rear chain, do they need oiling? And how often?
Neil

[Panshovevo]

That will depend on the quality of the coating on the links, as well as the weather in which it is ridden.
You might want to make sure that you have enough clearance between the chain and fender before buying an o-ring chain, as there are sometimes issues there.

Regards,
John

[Bigincher]

If you're not running a huge transmission gear, clearance should be okay--- but check your clearance now and figure at least another 1/8".

Yes, O-ring chains need regularly maintenance--- the O-rings retain a lubricant which is on the inside of the rollers, but the outside still needs lubrication. I use a spray lubricant designed specifically for O-ring chains.

[JohnnysCustomPaint]

If you're not running a huge transmission gear, clearance should be okay--- but check your clearance now and figure at least another 1/8".

Yes, O-ring chains need regularly maintenance--- the O-rings retain a lubricant which is on the inside of the rollers, but the outside still needs lubrication. I use a spray lubricant designed specifically for O-ring chains.

What is considered "HUGE"?

I would like to run an O-Ring chain, but have been told that with a 25 tooth front sprocket, you have to notch the ratchet lid,.

I like the 25 but may could go with a 24, but still would like some input from someone that is "in the know"

Thanks,
Johnny

[caschnd1]

I just rode from Phoenix, AZ to east TN on my panhead w/ o-ring chain. About 1000.miles in I sprayed the chain with "chain wax" specifically sold for o-ring chains. Yes they need some lube. But overall are very low maintenance and very clean. I normally get about 20k miles from an o-ring chain. I'm partial to the Tsubaki Sigma.

[steve_wood]

I had an o-ring chain on mine and it rubbed against the rear chain guard. Even with the rear chain adjusted correctly, the problem persisted. I gave up and put on a regular chain - problem solved.

[Panacea]

I had to put an extra washer between the rear primary tab and the frame to give the "O-ring" chain more space behind the primary. No biggie...

[Bosheff]

Been runnin an O-Ring on the back since the 80's. Runnin 23 on the tranny. No problem there. Had to shim the inner primary approximately 1/4" away from the tranny. Had to cut a piece out of the chain guard where in intersects with the frame for clearance caused by the chain being much wider than stock. Gussetted the top of the chain guard to make up for what I cut out from the side, rechromed, all done. Whatever you have to do to get it to work is well worth the effort and expense. Purchase a quality chain, keep it lubed and you're in business for a long time. Replace sprockets when installing new chain or it won't last. Quality sprockets are a must....bosheff

[socalrider]

Bosheff
What brand would you consider a quality brand sprocket? Are they american made?
Arnulfo

[Cotten]

Neil!

A chain primary doesn't oil the tire if properly set up.
And some spray from the rear chain is inevitable, even with a lightly lubed 0-ring.
As Bosheff hints, the sprockets cannot run dry!

You aren't running white-walls are you?

....Cotten

[Bosheff]

The sprockets I use may not even be available anymore. On the trans I use a 23 Tooth that is marked "PORTCO". I haven't purchased any of these in over 20 years and I am down to my last one. On the rear I am running a disk set-up with a -73 flanged hub. My choice of rear sprockets are no longer in production and were made of plastic. These were manufactured by an outfit called N.E.P. and were marked "Tuff One". I'm also down to my last one of those also. Hard as it may be to believe the plastic rear sprocket wears better than any steel ones I've ever used. The secret of a good sprocket in my opinion is using good quality materials, AND equally important is that the hole in the center of the sprocket needs to be as close to perfectly centered as possible. Lubrication is also very important. The method used to check for concentricity is after installing sprockets and chain, roll the rear wheel and check for tight spots on the chain. This tells you the quality of the manufacturing process of the sprockets. Replace the tranny sprocket 1st and test making a mental note of how much bind is felt after adjustment. Now install the rear sprocket and repeat. Ideally, no tight spots are what yer lookin for. Keep in mind that just because no bind is felt after adjusting, that is no guarantee the materials are of quality. A good sprocket will be made of quality materials, and be manufactured concentric, and will give many miles of service with proper maintenance and lubrication. A quality O-ring chain requires an initial adjustment and maybe one after the first ride. After that, they require minimal adjustment if the sprockets are of quality manufacturing and quality materials. If continued adjustment is necessary you have a problem somewhere in the system....bosheff

[Cotten]

Whitewall protector!

CHANCOVR.jpg

....Cotten