Xring drive chain

[ogri211]

I am bringing up the subject of drive chains, I finished my bike last year and have done about 1200 miles on it, following information I was told that if you fit a standard 530 xring chain the extra width causes it to rub on the fillets in the engine case. My problem is the plain chain I have fitted is a piece of junk compared to the x ring chains I have on my other bikes. Has anyone managed to successfully fit an x ring chain either by fitting a 525 chain, maybe fitting a spacer between the sprocket to bring it away from the casing, or by dressing a bit from the crankcase where the rivets touch, im sure someone must have successfully fitted a modern chain to a 400 four. I have looked at my friends RD350 ypvs which kicks out a lot more power than the 400 four and it only has a 520 chain it would seem to me that the 530 recommended for the 400 four seems a bit heavy as this is the size used on modern sports bikes I think I will try his chain on my bike when I get home to see how it fits.

[K2-K6]

We were looking on here a few months ago about fitting smaller sealed chain to one of these era bikes for a modded application,  but can't remember which thread.

But one of the things that came up was that even things like KTM RC8 is using 520 X-ring chain, with that much power and torque. Can't see you having any problems regarding strength of that as you have posted posted.

You may be able to get a sprocket set turned down to reduce thickness and adapt to narrower so avoiding any clearance issues with the fixed elements of the bike.

[K2-K6]

Looking at the specs again, all of them 530, 525 and 520 are same pitch, so interchangeable from that aspect with the 520 being 3.2mm thinner.

Looks like all the plates and pins are the same, just the bearings being narrower.  So probably same tensile strength across all of them.

Only having the smaller bearing area you'd expect shorter life under same in use loading, but if those big V twins use them,  then the 400 not going to worry that at all in reality.

I'd run a sealed chain on any road bike as a preference,  longterm they are much better.

[ogri211]

Thanks for the input I will check my bike with my friends 520 chain when I get back home next week unless the sprockets are too thick there should be no problem with the 520 chain.

[K2-K6]

The sprockets will definitely be too wide to fit as far as I know.

You need an alternative (maybe not available)  or could have std set machined from back face only to make sure chain has most clearance where you need it.

In essence that will effectively move chain outward by about 3mm.

[ogri211]

I found this site I may need to get something like this.     http://www.d-mengineering.co.uk/newshop/viewproducts.php?category_id=19   

[K2-K6]

Definitely,  they work on alot of race bikes where 520 is more used. Very good engineering company.

Might be worth a call to them to get their view as they do that sort of stuff routinely and may be able to share specific details.

It looks like the right way to go though, a decent quality sealed chain should last for years on a 400 Four too.

[sprinta]

May not be totally relevant as I do not  know if the 350/400's and 750's have the same clearance but I have just fitted a 530 'X' ring  chain to my 750K2 and it has gone straight  on without any problems. But as I say, I do not know if they both have the same sprocket to crankcase  clearance? 

[Nurse Julie]

Whilst I'm waiting for my flight back to UK, which has been delayed by at least 2 hours 🙄🙄🙄 I have been reading this thread. I fitted a standard chain from David Silver 5 years ago and it's still absolutely fine. What are these chains that people are calling 'junk', what make are they?. My chain is regularly cleaned and lubed with chain wax, and adjusted regularly. I'm sure I probably do more miles on my bikes in a year that what most other forum members do put together (except John Webley), and I never, ever have a problem. So what is this crazy thing with wanting X ring and O ring ?

[Trigger]

I don't think air miles count 

[Nurse Julie]

I don't think air miles count 

Oooooh, that's harsh 😀😀😀😁😁😁😁😁 

[ogri211]

I put a heavy duty 530 non o ring chain on my 400 four, I have done about 1100 miles, I regularly clean adjust and lube it it is hanging off the sprocket, I put an Xring chain on my GT750  (530) and have done about 4000 miles I think I have only had to adjust it twice and its still like brand new, same with my H1, the 520 chain should offer all the benefits of an oring chain but have the width of a non oring 530 plus you can get a gold one which I like.