24 replies to this topic

[spud786]

Alot of people say they've never found an aftermarket chain that out lives the OEM. Ive been through Rk oem, to two different versions of Regina, including an Oring DID. They all never made it to OEM life, not even close, usually about 60% mark at best.

So My original RK oem, went to 16,900 miles before the first link of redust popped up, and it had about 5 adjustments, so it was pretty much done. I replaced it with a $180 heavy A$$ Regina(larger than oem), and that thing died before ten thousand miles, from failure of the Zrings, which imo are crap. So I went with cheaper oring version of Regina on the following two or 3 chains, they lasted about the same but they were only about $100 in price. The I tried the DID vm oring and it failed before 10,000 miles.

Now we come to the DID VM xring. That chain got exactly the same milege as the OEM 16,900, and its first sign of Reddust coming out of a link, the difference it had only a couple of adjustments on it, so not stretched out of spec.

But Im still running that DID xring chain now at 22,000 miles, just cutting out the orings as Links freeze up( about 1/2 dosen so far), and its not stretching, but soon I'll have to replace it.

But if looking for a chain that Meets and exceeds the OEM, set the Bar at the DID VM xring.

[IntAceptor]

But Im still running that DID xring chain now at 22,000 miles, just cutting out the orings as Links freeze up( about 1/2 dosen so far),

Please splane what you mean by that. What does cutting out the o-rings do?????

[Metallican525]

But Im still running that DID xring chain now at 22,000 miles, just cutting out the orings as Links freeze up( about 1/2 dosen so far),

Please splane what you mean by that. What does cutting out the o-rings do?????

The only purpose of cleaning and lubing your o-ring/x-ring/whatever the hell they come up with next-ring is to keep the rings themselves clean and operational sealing the inner grease and the actual surfaces that take most of the load INSIDE the rollers. Spud is cutting the rings off so that he can get more fresh lube into the rollers that are binding up because the grease is dried up (for lack of a better term) and the rollers/links are no longer functioning as well as they should.

Thanks for the writeup Spud, I have the DID standard x-ring chain on my girl, and a friend just put on the VM X-ring version, I didn't think there was much difference really other than the VM being built for higher horsepower applications and the rollers were probably treated differently to be slightly stronger. I guess they're using better grease in em to eh!!

Edited by Metallican525, 09 April 2012 - 06:50 PM.

[NorthernVFRDave]

Just installed my second DID xring chain. Last one went just over 40,000km. OEM went about 30,000km. Same maintenance schedule. Full clean once or twice and lube when ever I think about it LOL. When you ride 700-800 miles a week back and forth to work cleaning a chain 2 or 3 times a week becomes a pain.

[spud786]

But Im still running that DID xring chain now at 22,000 miles, just cutting out the orings as Links freeze up( about 1/2 dosen so far),

Please splane what you mean by that. What does cutting out the o-rings do?????

Ringed chains rust from the inside out, once the Grease Oxidizes and dries out, thats where the red dust comes from people talk about. In turn this causes the Link to bind up. You can inspect cut the orings out on those links that Bind up , and lubricate, freeing the link up for additional milege use of the chain. This particular chain, Ive gained an additional 5,000 mile thus far. I done this for several years on chains, just to save alittle money and extend the life. It is more hassle, to baby once you've done this process on a link, they do have to be Monitored closely.

[spud786]

But Im still running that DID xring chain now at 22,000 miles, just cutting out the orings as Links freeze up( about 1/2 dosen so far),

Please splane what you mean by that. What does cutting out the o-rings do?????

The only purpose of cleaning and lubing your o-ring/x-ring/whatever the hell they come up with next-ring is to keep the rings themselves clean and operational sealing the inner grease and the actual surfaces that take most of the load INSIDE the rollers. Spud is cutting the rings off so that he can get more fresh lube into the rollers that are binding up because the grease is dried up (for lack of a better term) and the rollers/links are no longer functioning as well as they should.

Thanks for the writeup Spud, I have the DID standard x-ring chain on my girl, and a friend just put on the VM X-ring version, I didn't think there was much difference really other than the VM being built for higher horsepower applications and the rollers were probably treated differently to be slightly stronger. I guess they're using better grease in em to eh!!

The DID vmoring and the VMxring, same sze plating and everything, IMO the Oring runs hotter from more friction, than the Xring, and why the Xring yeilds condsiderable more Grease life. All chains Ive seen run the same Lithim grease internally, looks identical anyway.

Edited by spud786, 09 April 2012 - 09:57 PM.

[Baileyrock]

Nice write up!

DID have always been the best chain to start with and recently they re-did their VM series increasing their life even more. I've not run the neverst version but have run the old VM series for the last 50k miles.

BR

[Tamworth]

I thought X ring was the standard. I can't remember ever using anything else. I could be mistaken but I seem to remember my 98 coming with DID X ring OEM

Edited by Tamworth, 10 April 2012 - 09:41 PM.

[Rush2112]

Spud,
Are you using stock gear ratios. I know decreasing the tooth count on the front can increase heat & wear.

[spud786]

Spud,
Are you using stock gear ratios. I know decreasing the tooth count on the front can increase heat & wear.

Yes Rush, Im completely stock