Chain life in years, not miles !

[pcn1]

My 2006 Triumph Scrambler has 10K on the clock.
Its had a very easy life, garaged kept, summer use only, chain has been cleaned and lubricated regularly.

However I'm just wondering about the rubber O-rings that hold in the grease, there 15 years old now. Would they be failing around now due to age and therefore the lubricating grease is being lost ?

I will inspect it again over the weekend for any signs of wear, but what I can see may not tell the whole truth of its condition.

Any knowledgeable advice welcome.

Cheers

[black-k1]

No one can say that "at 9 years, 364 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes all O rings in your chain crack and die". Any responses will be based around possible scenarios that may or may not be applicable to your chain.

Even if there is a risk that some of the O rings may be towards the end of their life, do you plan to replace the chain solely for that reason? If not, give the chain a clean and lube and ride the bike until the chain adjustment limit is reached or the chain has other clearly identifiable reasons to be changed.

[KTMsm]

Look at it !

If the O rings are still there and it's within length tolerance then it's ok

[poo at Paul's]

For what, 120 quid, I’d change it. Having a chain brake is a lottery! I’ve had a few over the years, most just loss of drive no drama, once complete lock up at about 50 or 60 along a tree lined bumpy section, (that is quick off road), very lucky not to hit a very solid object.
Worst was an a Trackday in 1999, speedtriple chain broke and hit me in the back / shoulder, came through my leathers and I still have the scar! Also broke seat unit!

[Pothole]

pcn1 said:

My 2006 Triumph Scrambler has 10K on the clock.
Its had a very easy life, garaged kept, summer use only, chain has been cleaned and lubricated regularly.

However I'm just wondering about the rubber O-rings that hold in the grease, there 15 years old now. Would they be failing around now due to age and therefore the lubricating grease is being lost ?

I will inspect it again over the weekend for any signs of wear, but what I can see may not tell the whole truth of its condition.

Any knowledgeable advice welcome.

Cheers

They're not rubber. A new set will be £100-£150. Change them and find something else to worry about.

[bgunn]

Clean and lube the chain as normal. Check if it has tight spots or runs badly, replace it if so. Ride the bike. If the chain wears out, then replace it. If not, then don't until it does.

Simple.

[Rubin215]

poo at Paul's said:

For what, 120 quid, I’d change it. Having a chain brake is a lottery! I’ve had a few over the years, most just loss of drive no drama, once complete lock up at about 50 or 60 along a tree lined bumpy section, (that is quick off road), very lucky not to hit a very solid object.
Worst was an a Trackday in 1999, speedtriple chain broke and hit me in the back / shoulder, came through my leathers and I still have the scar! Also broke seat unit!

You're either bloody unlucky or st at chain maintenance.

I have only had one chain break on me in 40 years of riding and that was because the sprocket carrier bearing was goosed and the rear sprocket was squint.

Chains, properly adjusted and lubricated, are extremely unlikely to break in normal use.

[poo at Paul's]

Rubin215 said:

You're either bloody unlucky or st at chain maintenance.

I have only had one chain break on me in 40 years of riding and that was because the sprocket carrier bearing was goosed and the rear sprocket was squint.

Chains, properly adjusted and lubricated, are extremely unlikely to break in normal use.

I’ve been racing for 48 years. Most chain brakes I’ve had are on off roaders with no Cush drives.
10 hour hard enduro races take their toll and it’s not practical to change a chain mid race.
Sometimes they break.

I only use DID or Regina gold race chains. But even so, they’re a wear item and if you ride enough, it happens.

[poo at Paul's]

poo at Paul's said:

Rubin215 said:

You're either bloody unlucky or st at chain maintenance.

I have only had one chain break on me in 40 years of riding and that was because the sprocket carrier bearing was goosed and the rear sprocket was squint.

Chains, properly adjusted and lubricated, are extremely unlikely to break in normal use.

I’ve been racing for 48 years. Most chain brakes I’ve had are on off roaders with no Cush drives.
10 hour hard enduro races take their toll and it’s not practical to change a chain mid race.
Sometimes they break. And chains in the 70s and 80s were not like they are now!

I only use DID or Regina gold race chains. But even so, they’re a wear item and if you ride enough, it happens.

[Rubin215]

poo at Paul's said:

Rubin215 said:

You're either bloody unlucky or st at chain maintenance.

I have only had one chain break on me in 40 years of riding and that was because the sprocket carrier bearing was goosed and the rear sprocket was squint.

Chains, properly adjusted and lubricated, are extremely unlikely to break in normal use.

I’ve been racing for 48 years. Most chain brakes I’ve had are on off roaders with no Cush drives.
10 hour hard enduro races take their toll and it’s not practical to change a chain mid race.
Sometimes they break.

I only use DID or Regina gold race chains. But even so, they’re a wear item and if you ride enough, it happens.

Yeah, that's going to do it, totally different environment to even a regularly thrashed road bike, never mind a gently ridden plodder like the OP has.

Edited by Rubin215 on Monday 16th August 21:50

[underwhelmist]

KTMsm said:

Look at it !

If the O rings are still there and it's within length tolerance then it's ok

I agree - I'd be guided by how it looks and whether you can pull the chain away from the rear sprocket - but you can't see the O rings on an O ring chain can you? I thought they were inside the rollers/behind the side plates.

Maybe that's the point. If you can see the O rings, it's knackered?