Chain life

Yan · 06-05-2010, 03:02 PM

Hi, my wife is considering buying her first bike and GZ250 is an option (particularly because my first bike was a GZ250 and she liked the looks of it very much). There is a few of them available within an hour from us, some with low mileage (couple of thousand miles), and a few with around 10k miles on them. My question is basically this - how long does the chain last on GZ250 (I understand it depends a lot of how and whether it was maintananced, but I am looking for an average number), and how hard it is to replace it yourself? Do you have to cut the old chain and then use that tool (rivet ?) to put the new one together, or there is a way to get an already assembled endless chain on the bike?

Thanks!
Yan

Sarris · 06-05-2010, 03:45 PM

I replaced my OEM chain at 10K miles. I cut the old one off with bolt cutters and replaced it with an o-ring that has a master link.

The master link type chain doesn't require removal of the rear wheel nor specialty chain breaker tools. I soaked the new chain in oil for an hour or so before installation.

Easy!

blaine · 06-05-2010, 03:45 PM

A chain should last 20000 to 30000 kms if maintained properly.You can cut the old chain off or grind the heads off the rivets.It is easier to use a removable master link in the new chain.The closed side of the circlip must face direction of rotation.

Yan · 06-05-2010, 03:49 PM

Great, thanks a lot! And how much a new chain with removable master link would cost?

blaine · 06-05-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yan

Great, thanks a lot! And how much a new chain with removable master link would cost?

A new o-ring chain & master link should be around $60.00 depending were you buy it.Chain is a #520 110 link chain.

mrlmd1 · 06-05-2010, 03:57 PM

The chain at 10,000 miles should still be good if it was lubed at regular intervals - before getting a new one and putting it on, you can inspect the chain, adjust it's tension if too loose, see if it has stretched, look at the sprockets for wear, etc. Just don't go out and get a new chain because it has 10,000 miles on it. There may be other things you have to attend to first.

Yan · 06-05-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yan

Great, thanks a lot! And how much a new chain with removable master link would cost?

A new o-ring chain & master link should be around $60.00 depending were you buy it.Chain is a #520 110 link chain.

cool, thanks!

Yan · 06-05-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

There may be other things you have to attend to first.

such as? just getting an idea of the hidden costs of buying a used bike...

Thanks!

blaine · 06-05-2010, 04:22 PM

One of the main things to look at would be the tires.Be sure to check dates on sidewall to see how old tires are.

Yan · 06-05-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaine

One of the main things to look at would be the tires.Be sure to check dates on sidewall to see how old tires are.

and how old should they be before you have to replace them irregardless of the remaining thread?

06-05-2010, 03:02 PM	#1
Yan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kanata, ON Posts: 10	Chain life Hi, my wife is considering buying her first bike and GZ250 is an option (particularly because my first bike was a GZ250 and she liked the looks of it very much). There is a few of them available within an hour from us, some with low mileage (couple of thousand miles), and a few with around 10k miles on them. My question is basically this - how long does the chain last on GZ250 (I understand it depends a lot of how and whether it was maintananced, but I am looking for an average number), and how hard it is to replace it yourself? Do you have to cut the old chain and then use that tool (rivet ?) to put the new one together, or there is a way to get an already assembled endless chain on the bike? Thanks! Yan Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-05-2010, 03:45 PM	#2
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: Chain life I replaced my OEM chain at 10K miles. I cut the old one off with bolt cutters and replaced it with an o-ring that has a master link. The master link type chain doesn't require removal of the rear wheel nor specialty chain breaker tools. I soaked the new chain in oil for an hour or so before installation. Easy! __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders.
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06-05-2010, 03:45 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Chain life A chain should last 20000 to 30000 kms if maintained properly.You can cut the old chain off or grind the heads off the rivets.It is easier to use a removable master link in the new chain.The closed side of the circlip must face direction of rotation. __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-05-2010, 03:49 PM	#4
Yan Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kanata, ON Posts: 10	Re: Chain life Great, thanks a lot! And how much a new chain with removable master link would cost?
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06-05-2010, 03:57 PM	#6
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Chain life The chain at 10,000 miles should still be good if it was lubed at regular intervals - before getting a new one and putting it on, you can inspect the chain, adjust it's tension if too loose, see if it has stretched, look at the sprockets for wear, etc. Just don't go out and get a new chain because it has 10,000 miles on it. There may be other things you have to attend to first.
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06-05-2010, 04:22 PM	#9
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Chain life One of the main things to look at would be the tires.Be sure to check dates on sidewall to see how old tires are. __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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