Chain life?

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GeorgiaRider
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Chain life?

Postby GeorgiaRider » Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:48 pm

How many miles can I expect to put on my O-ring chain? I have a 2006 model with 28K miles. As far as I can tell the sprockets and chain are fine. It rarely needs adjusting too. I clean with kerosene and lube every 400 miles or so.

Thanks.
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Triangles
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Triangles » Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:44 pm

From what I've read mid 20's is typical. As little as 10K if neglected as much as 50+K if well taken care of. I don't have any direct experience though.
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burkbuilds
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Re: Chain life?

Postby burkbuilds » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:46 am

Bought my 09 new and installed a loobman chain oiler (about $30) and I give it a shot of oil about every 100-150 miles. I don't clean it very often, maybe every 10,000 miles or so, but I've gotten over 41,000 miles on the OE Chain now and it's still tight to the sprockets and no visible signs of wear. I've had other chains on other bikes only go about 11,000 miles because the previous owner neglected them and let them dry out and rust. You won't over lube a chain. Keep it oiled and it will give you a long service life. FYI I use a mix of regular motor oil and 90 wt differential lube. The 90 wt doesn't flow through the tubing very well if you use it straight or that would be all I use. I've heard other riders swear by the teflon type sprays and frequent cleanings. Whatever you choose to lube with, do it frequently.

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Triangles
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Triangles » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:16 pm

burkbuilds wrote:Bought my 09 new and installed a loobman chain oiler (about $30) and I give it a shot of oil about every 100-150 miles.

Good to know I gave up on my fantasy of having a belt and ordered the new pushbutton loobman. Conveniently I also have a new 108 link chain and 17/38 sprockets. I had neglected the original chain figuring on getting a belt drive kit.
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Spockrider
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Spockrider » Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:51 pm

Triangles, I am new to the Vulcan 500. I noticed you mentioned your 17/38 sprockets. Although I haven't counted yet, my manual says final reduction ratio 42/16........16/42. I was wanting more economy and don't need the power since I usually ride single. I was considering an 18 primary if it will fit. 17/38 are you sure?......... Just found the sprocket site. Thanx for you posts.

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Triangles
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Triangles » Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:50 pm

17 is the largest front sprocket they make. If you find an 18 tooth let us know. Stock size is 16 tooth. For the rear 42 is stock size 40 is the smallest that they make. I shoe horned an early 90's Ninja 500 rear hub on my Vulcan 500 LTD as there is a 38 tooth rear sprocket available for that bike, the chains used on the two bikes are the same so there's nothing to worry about as far as chain type. The stock final drive ratio is 2.625=42/16 My current configuration is 2.24=38/17 The smaller this ratio the lower the RPM's are. Without modifications 2.35=40/17 is the tallest final drive you can get. You probably wont notice much of a difference between the 38 and 40 tooth rear sprocket so you can save your self some parts searching and headache making it all fit by just going with 40/17 for your final drive. Look in the How-to section for more information on what I did. There is a spreadsheet there that calculates RPM vs speed so you can get an idea of how things would change. I've only gotten 3/4 of a tank on this setup before I parked the bike for the winter and work is keeping me away from riding :evil: I'll post an update probably May-ish when I've had time to run thru a few tanks of gas.
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Spockrider
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Spockrider » Sat Apr 07, 2012 3:12 pm

I spoke with JTSprockets and they said there is an 18 that will fit with some washers. After further discussion, it sounded like no washer were needed if 2 pilot holes were drilled to math up with the holes in the original. I also bought a digital tach so I can see the difference in rpm. I will probably wind up with 18/42 for now, then when 42 wears, I'll go 40.

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Triangles
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Triangles » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:25 pm

Lets us know what part numbers are for the front and how it works out. Not sure what holes being drilled has to do with anything. There are no holes except the center one, used for anything on the front sprocket. There's a "lock washer" and a nut on the end of the output shaft that hold the sprocket on. The ninja 500 has a retaining clip that has two screws that screw the clip to the sprocket, That might be what you're mentioning for drilling holes? If so that's not applicable to the Vulcan 500.
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Spockrider
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Spockrider » Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:24 am

Thanx for the reply. Maybe the lady I spoke with Had some wrong info. I looked at the sprocket and saw NO holes. FYI 55.6 mpg on 89 octane non-ethanol. ps I installed an inductive tach; it sucks. What is the rpm supposed to be at any given speed in 6th?

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Triangles
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Triangles » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:18 am

Download the spreadsheet linked off of this thread for rpm vs speed. You're wasting money on 89 octane, your engine likes 87 just as much. As long as the sprocket's center hole matches the splines and is for the same type of chain you should be able to get it to fit possibly needing some spacers though. Personally I'd just go with the 17t that you know will fit without modification.
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Spockrider
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Re: Chain life?

Postby Spockrider » Sat May 05, 2012 7:14 pm

The 18 tooth sprocket from JT is JTF565-18. It will need to be shimmed out with a washer, that's all. Note that it does NOT come with the rubber dampers though.


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