chain replacement

the bandit

the bandit

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I am looking for a chain for my 07 1250 suzuki bandit any recommendations as to name brand... price... and site... to purchase.It is a 530 and not looking for top of the line,somewhere in the middle as far as quality. Ebay has lots but not sure about the name brand DID...Bikemaster??
Thx in advance for any help
 
Stay FAR away from bikemaster. Stick with a good brand, DID, EK, RK. How are your sprockets? If your sprockets are worn, your new chain won't last long at all!

I checked my usual place for chain and sprocket kits, but they didn't list the bandit, just gixxers :(

Tony at Bluestreak probably has something for you, always smokin prices too! 519 475 9055 (just call, his website sucks).

Post a picture of your rear sprocket, a close up of the teeth, looking face on to the sprocket.

You can also check how worn your sprocket is by pulling on the rear of the chain and seeing how much slack you can make:

chaintest.jpg
 
chiefswallow said:
You can also check how worn your sprocket is by pulling on the rear of the chain and seeing how much slack you can make:

chaintest.jpg
Click to expand...

...and if your chain looks anything like that you should have replaced it a few thousand km's ago!
 
mikeherdes said:
...and if your chain looks anything like that you should have replaced it a few thousand km's ago!
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HAHAHA! Have you ever seen a chain that's about to fail? From it getting so hot all the time it rusts CRAZY fast! If you notice your chain rusting fast, and you've been lubing it regularly, it probably means it's stretched and worn out and running hot! REPLACE!
 
stick with DID or other name brands. I had a chinese chain put on my old bile from ashop once, when I started riding, didn't know nay better. failed in under a year. not worth it.

a good chain doesn't cost too much and its not a hard job to do yourself if you are so inclined
 
the bandit said:
I am looking for a chain for my 07 1250 suzuki bandit any recommendations as to name brand... price... and site... to purchase.It is a 530 and not looking for top of the line,somewhere in the middle as far as quality. Ebay has lots but not sure about the name brand DID...Bikemaster??
Thx in advance for any help
Click to expand...

Hey Manny - If you haven't committed yet, get a D.I.D. You ARE LOOKING for top of the line. Go one up on the rear, and thank me later. Buy a new front - stock gearing.
 
Can't go wrong with DID. Currently have 55k km on a 530ERV and still running strong.
 
Gary said:
Hey Manny - If you haven't committed yet, get a D.I.D. You ARE LOOKING for top of the line. Go one up on the rear, and thank me later. Buy a new front - stock gearing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies gents.Gary I hear ya have a 44 tooth on now and have 45 and 46 which I didn't like rev too high on the highway.Looks like DID it is,next question is can anyone help me with the changeout when the chain arrives.Beer and lunch on me or can drop a few bucks either or.
 
the bandit said:
Thanks for all the replies gents.Gary I hear ya have a 44 tooth on now and have 45 and 46 which I didn't like rev too high on the highway.Looks like DID it is,next question is can anyone help me with the change out when the chain arrives.Beer and lunch on me or can drop a few bucks either or.
Click to expand...


if you need my chain breaker i got the one from princess auto. i got screwed when i found out i needed a rivet tool. try and get a c clip style master so you can install without the 100 dollar rivet tool temporarily. unless you can find someone with the rivet tool. everyone seems to have to go to a shop or home mechanic to install the rivet. you can always take it somewhere after u get the chain installed to do the rivet if you prefer that,.

i payed 200 for my 530 x ring chain and sprockets after i super stretched that D.I.D. roller chain that was the attraction of the ride that day. chain lasted 3 days before it was toast. now i got a gold chain which survived shannonville and should outlast the bike.

ordered teh 525 but it was out of stock so i got the 530 as i needed it for shannonville in a hurry. tony at blue streak cleared that up for me just in time.

i wish the stuff came in faster so i didn't have to put the cheap chain on.
 
Go to Royal to get the revit tool. Not that pricey
 
D.I.D. is overpriced. Don't understand people's fetish with that company. Maybe when it comes to racing?
For street - RK is just as good, way cheaper. Haven't tried EK chains but used their sprockets - no issues.

Be careful with ebay tool kits. They are soft like butter. The one I got worked but had to trim the rod because it was bending.

... And look it up on youtube. Fairly easy job. Front sprocket sometimes gives issues, depending on the bike.
 
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DemonPig said:
Front sprocket sometimes gives issues, depending on the bike.
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Make sure for the front sprocket:

a) you loosen the nut before you cut your chain
b) make sure the bike is in neutral
c) to stop the sprocket from turning use the rear brake or stick something through the rim
 
DemonPig said:
D.I.D. is overpriced. Don't understand people's fetish with that company. Maybe when it comes to racing?
For street - RK is just as good, way cheaper. Haven't tried EK chains but used their sprockets - no issues.

Be careful with ebay tool kits. They are soft like butter. The one I got worked but had to trim the rod because it was bending.

... And look it up on youtube. Fairly easy job. Front sprocket sometimes gives issues, depending on the bike.
Click to expand...

I've used DID / EK / RK .... all those companies have different grades and price points for chains. I personally love DID ERV3's, they barely need adjusting. Perhaps every 3-5k I need to adjust it a tad.

But I LOVE the ERV's...all my bikes track/street all run ERV' now. It is a premium priced chain - but if you keep it clean it should forever.

The biggest issue with street bikes and chains is the owners don't keep it clean and lubed up. Keep it clean and lubed = you will get good life out of it.
 
frekeyguy said:
The biggest issue with street bikes and chains is the owners don't keep it clean and lubed up. Keep it clean and lubed = you will get good life out of it.
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I don't think cleaning ever lengthens the life of a chain, ever. Lube, that's it.
 
chiefswallow said:
I don't think cleaning ever lengthens the life of a chain, ever. Lube, that's it.
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all the chain really is rollers that move around on pins. Keep the girt / grime out of the roller surfaces and lube in = good life.

If a chain is gritty (fine) it could start polishing down the surfaces or breaking down the o-rings prematurely.

I also don't want 10lbs of chain lube gob on the front sprocket area or all around the chain guard / rims / tires.
 
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