350x drive chain advice

[userj8670]

Time for me to replace my drive chain - does everyone have a favorite brand & model to recommend? Do I change sprockets or is that not needed?

[Aulbaugh]

D.I.D. Pro V Series Drive Chain O-Ring is a good option. If the sprockets are worn, I would replace and get it all new.

[userj8670]

Do you know what size or model the 350x requires?

I saw someone previously mentioned an x-ring?

[Aulbaugh]

520x90 is the size you need. O ring is what originally came on it.

[wonderboy]

Like Hondatcs mentioned above, factory used a regular o-ring chain. I wouldn't use anything less. Racers use non o-ring chains to avoid the drag (which can be noticeable) but chain life is sacrificed (no problem for a racer). An x-ring chain uses a special o-ring cross section (and x cross section) which provides two sealing surfaces rather than just one on a regular o-ring.

I run an EK x-ring chain. You can find them on e-bay for 50-60ish. Note that you may not find exactly a 90 link chain, but if you see a good deal on a longer one, you can easily press out the rivets and remove the extra links and make it the length you need. Pay attention to the details of the chain as many of them are different colors (gold seems common). Not my thing, I run a natural color one, just as the factory chain was.

I'd heard the rule that if you needed a chain, that you should replace sprockets at the same time. It is hard to tell just how worn they are. If they are really worn, it will be noticeable, but comparing to a new sprocket makes it a lot easier to determine how worn they are.

[efhondakid]

I run Renthal R3's on everything. Steel sprockets too. Also like said replace everything. A worn chain on new sprockets will wear the sprockets faster and vice versa.

[userj8670]

What's a good place for sprockets

[wonderboy]

E-bay. Search for Sunstar branded sprockets. I've been using them on my machines and they have been very durable.

[userj8670]

Can someone please provide a direct link to a renthal r3-2 o ring chain with 90 links (as needed by the 350x). I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to find it and I have not been able to do so and quite frankly it's driving me nuts! Lol

[yaegerb]

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/958/11865/Renthal-520-R3-2-O-Ring-Chain

[userj8670]

Hey Brandon! Thanks for the reply; unfortunately that chain is to big it seems only options are 116 & 120 link

[efhondakid]

Your gonna have to cut it down. I have never bought a chain that went right on without having to take some links out.

[userj8670]

Forgive my ignorance but how do you remove links?

[efhondakid]

YouTube my friend. YouTube.

[wonderboy]

Either a rivet press, or a grinder.

The rivet press will push out the rivet holding two links together and does it in a non-damaging way. You can turn around and press the rivet back in and put the chain together.
(just and example, not an endorsement of the product) --> http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/21457/i/motion-pro-chain-breaker--press-and-riveting-tool
(or this one) --> https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-chain-breaker-66488.html

Alternative is to grind the head off of one of the rivets and drive it out with a punch. No big deal if you know you don't need the extra links... and you have a clip style master link.

[yaegerb]

Forgive my ignorance but how do you remove links?


Get a chain breaker my friend. You won't find that chain in a specific link. Time to get dirty!

Here's the one I use. Pushes pins like butta

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-PBR-Motorcycle-Chain-Tool-Kit-Breaker-Press-Rivet-Master-Link-Street-/152129383557?hash=item236b9e2c85%3Ag%3Al0kAAOSwEeF U44XB&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa318250e-40eb-11e7-9609-74dbd180699d%257Cparentrq%253A3d4670a515c0abc2c686 7357ffff6aca%257Ciid%253A2