new rear chain

[ldfly112]

I am in need of a new rear #530 chain. can anyone tell me where I can purchase a american made chain

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

This is the best chain you can buy. O-ring seal and over 11,000 pounds tensile strength. I use this on my Chief and all of my chain drive bikes with excellent results. And I don't just drive down to the Dunkin Donuts and back. Unfortunately, you won't find anything built in the USA that can compare.


EK chain.jpg
Alaska021.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Diamond is USA made but only has about half the strength.


Diamond chain A.jpg Diamond chain B.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Comparison specs.


EK chain specs.jpg

[PanheadFred1]

If you have a tin primary you might not have room for the width of an o-ring chain

[T. Cotten]

If you have a tin primary you might not have room for the width of an o-ring chain

That was my experience, too, PanheadFred!

And once they shucked some O-rings, my customers went back to lubing anyway.

....Cotten
PS: So,... What lubes the sprockets if you don't have to lube the chain?

Thanks in advance,..

[otis71]

They’ll rub cast aluminum 65 & up primaries also.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

530 rear chain.jpg

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

That was my experience, too, PanheadFred!

And once they shucked some O-rings, my customers went back to lubing anyway.

....Cotten
PS: So,... What lubes the sprockets if you don't have to lube the chain?

Thanks in advance,..

Tom, you still have to lube an O-ring chain to keep the O-rings clean and supple. I lube the chain every 300 miles. These types of chain last much longer than plain chains if maintained properly.

I must admit I have never heard of a 3 row primary chain that is O-ring construction. It would seem the chain would be sealed out from the primary lube.


ezgif-5efaa079b3c03d.jpg

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Pretty much the only 530 series motorcycle chain still made in the USA is Diamond.

Sure it is "weaker" than other chains -- but it's still likely to last about 15,000 miles or a LOT of seasons for the average vintage rider.

Personally, I use a lot of Diamond chain and have nearly a dozen boxes of 530 by 110 links sitting on the shelf for future use. I have not noticed they need any more or less maintenance or adjustment than any other type of chain I've tried over the years. I have not had any wear prematurely.

What I have noticed is plain diamond 530 is a LOT lighter than their o ring versions -- and noticeably lighter than many japanese chains. I also know that a lighter chain causes a lot less harmonics . . .and that lighter doesn't mean "weaker" in real world use.

YMMV

[T. Cotten]

Gosh, Deebs,...

All my customers swore they didn't have to lube them until they did.

Was it just that Diamond's hype got the better of them?

Primaries are off-topic, but I found washing out Diamond's pre-lube prudent.

....Cotten

[tfburke3]

I have purchased Diamond chain from ebay vendor that box indicated made in China,not shown in pics..More aware I later purchased from another eBay vendor who showed the made in USA on box.
Packaging for both chains was identical except the very small country of origin print.
Tom

[RichO]

bmi karts on ebay have the ones from italy for a smokin price an are great chains. Just sayin. They came out of Harrys pile at Dixie,tsabki from Japan was the best but don't produce them any longer. Pre peened and pre stretched, I found diamond the worst butr maybe that was just me. always use chain wax, O ring last but clearance can be an issue.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Yes, a chain that was rated at 6,600 pounds of tensile strength would be lighter and cheaper than a chain that was 11,100 pounds of tensile strength because there is an increase in quality steel. I ride my bike from Alaska to Mexico. East coast to West coast. I have never experienced *any* harmonic malarkey. That's some voodoo technology right there.

I am concerned of the fact that made in the USA label means nothing when you actually get a Chinese part or a Mexican part. I guess that's the world we live in today. However, the EK is a quality Japanese part. They drag race with this equipment. I would not put a diamond final chain on anything other than a coffee table bike ( I do use Diamond primary Indian chains. Not much else available except Chinese or India garbage). These days, we make nothing in this country because we priced ourselves out of the market. Everybody got too greedy and nobody wants to pay USA working wages and benefits. So now we get crap at a premium price. I have been running into a lot of counterfeit Chinese spark plugs and rubber parts that have big brand names. Choose your parts wisely.

[T. Cotten]

..They came out of Harrys pile at Dixie,...

You mean 'sapphire' chains instead of 'diamond', Rich?

I've got a big drawer full.

Somebody come buy everything.

....Cotten