Does anyone know what a new DID525V8 chain has for a length over 21 pins (20 links). I would like to compare it to the service limit of 12.75" (319.4mm). My chain is currently at 12.5" (317.8mm) and I want to figure out what my rate of "degradation" is so I can estimate when I will rate the service limit. I currently have 8000 km (~5000 miles) on the chain.

Thanks!
VUR

It's a limit 12.57" with a new chain being 12.50". The service limit is rarely the reason for chain replacement. Links will usually kink as lubrication fails or O-rings will fail before wear causes the limit to be reached..

Thanks for the reply.

I guess based on link wear alone (excluding O-ring failure and kinked links), I have a wear rate (given the environment I typically expose my chain to) of ~ 0.037 mm/1000km. So theoretically I would reach the service limit at ~50000 km. However, as you pointed out, other factors may be limiting....

Crikey, you're overthinking this...

Firstly, the rate of chain deterioration accelerates dramatically as the chain nears the end of its safe service life. You can't make some graph and predict chain life with any hope of accuracy.

Secondly, chains do not wear evenly, so the measurement method is, to put it mildly, useless horseshit.

Chains are replaced based on what the chain is doing, not on some measurement found in the manual. The chain will warn you well before it's done -- it will get noisy, for one, and require far more frequent adjustment. You also may notice kinks, red debris (rust) and other signs of failed o-rings.

Ride happy, and worry less. Clean the chain sometimes, and order up a replacement chain and sprockets when they show signs of being worn out. After you go through six or eight chains, you'll have a rough idea of how long they last for you... :mrgreen:

I agree with the other post but do have an additional question I have about 13K on my chain and sprockets now and while the sprockets look half worn the chain is shot. I have always bee told to replace all as a set any comments?

A sprocket with room enough for a chain roller to move around will wear out a new chain in short order. Think about what you do to keep the chain lubed. That's low mileage for such wear.

FWIW - I have 37K miles on the original chain (2005 DL1000), but I am anal about cleaning and oiling the chain every couple of hundred miles with 80W-90 synthetic gear oil. One $6 bottle lasts over a year. On long rides (600-700 mile days), I oil it at the end of each day. Makes a heck of a mess on the lower side of the bike, but I believe regular oiling and cleaning, regular tension checks/adjustments, and semi-sane riding (no burnouts or wheelies) has helped. I asked the Suzuki mechanic at our local shop (a very good, honest family owned dealership!) to check and replace it at the last state inspection, and he said it was still well within limits and looked good. He could have easily sold me a $200 chain and sprocket set, so I believe him. I'm sure there are many riders who have more miles on their chains out there, too.

Several months ago, I posted my experience with chain lub on a thread. Below is a repeat.

Presently, I have 124,000 miles on my 1974 Kawasaki Z900. I am on my third chain/sprocket set and it's nearing the end. Hence, I get about 40,000 miles/set. My only lubrication is most any 10W30 or 40 motor oil every 200 miles or so with very little cleaning. Keep in mind that my first 2 chains were not the modern new sealed O-ring chains.

I see no reason to spend excessive $$$$ on fancy teflon lubs. Yes, my rear wheel is somewhat coated with fling-off but, the good news is that the chrome on the rear wheel is still shiny after 36 years.

OK. Resurrection of another older thread here.

I believe I've read that new chains have 21-pin measurements of 12.50 inches and worn-out chains have measurements of 12.57 inches or greater. That's only 0.07 inch difference.

Sure, a difference of 0.07 is easy enough to measure if an item's on a flat bench in a well-lighted area and if good measuring instruments are readily available, but it seems unreasonable to me to expect a person to kneel or lay beside their bike, try to hold an oily chain straight / tight, and then to get an accurate measurement between 21 pins.

Oh, and the 0.07 inch is the maximum number - as chains slowly (?) wear the values would be less than this already quite small 0.07 inch number.

I'm inclined to agree with bwringer's comments on this issue. Am I missing something obvious to everyone else? What measurement instruments and methods are being used to make this measurement?

By the way, I'm following VTom's advice and oiling (never cleaning) at each fuel fill-up. Gear oil.

I have never measured chain stretch. Every chain I've replaced has first developed kinked links. If by some miracle I manage to get a chain that exceeds to wear limit without kinking, the good old "apply tension to the chain and see if the chain can be lifted away from the rear sprocket at 3 o'clock" is what I would trust to establish wear. Hooked sprocket teeth would be another reason.