How Long Do Motorcycle Chains Last?

[@ballockybill2277]

Hi Cameron . I worked 10/12 hour days as a motorbike courier for years , had to supply and maintain my own bikes . The best thing I ever bought was a Scottoiler automatic chain oiler , which increased the lifespan of my chains/sprockets by at least 3 or 4 times . Really amazing . I found the older vacuum operated type to be the best . Saved me a fortune over the years . Failing that , I'd recommend oiling a chain with engine oil before going out to ride . Oil penetrates and lubes much better than expensive spray-on lubes and waxes which coat the chain , but don't penetrate into the rollers . Keep up the good work !!

[@harisyoung4110]

Use a gear oil which is thicker sae90, it will stay at chain longer than an engine oil.

[@majormassenspektrometer]

So how long did your chains last than without that Scottoiler?

[@ballockybill2277]

@@majormassenspektrometer Like I said , 3 to 4 times as long as without the oiler .

[@majormassenspektrometer]

@@ballockybill2277 3 to 4 times compared to what?

[@ballockybill2277]

@@majormassenspektrometer I couldn't give you exact mileage , but I was doing between a hundred and two hundred miles a day , mostly in the city , stop/start driving and some longer runs . I used different bikes too so it's hard to say . But chains and sprockets lasted a LOT longer with the oiler . HTH .

[@finster7582]

Always wondered bout O and X rings..great info..i always ran stock chain but soaked them in a bucket of oil everytime i did an oil change or service...😃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@finster7582]

@@CameronNiemela hell yeah..always !

[@bellyacre1]

Interesting. I buy regular chains. Usually change after a season or two. Sprockets last a long time if you don't run stretched chains.

[@pete7971]

Best explanation I ever heard. Great job !!

[@CameronNiemela]

Thank you Pete, put a lot of thought into this one!

[@robertwoods2505]

Great information Cameron. Personally, I always run DID narrow enduro X ring chains on my bikes. Thanks for sharing all of these details.

[@terrygoodman5980]

Cameron got jokes! Love it!

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks for watching man!

[@richardkeith1914]

Fantastic video as usual!!! Would love a video talking about wear on sprockets. I see so many guys running worn sprockets around here!

[@bradymoto2352]

“Sound like joe Biden over here” 😂😂😂

[@cane2253]

If anyone wants to learn about Jesus Christ reply

[@natetwarog1938]

I liked the video immediately after hearing that hahaha

[@MRMechanicRC]

Dang it, you got to it before me 😂

[@kordapyo612]

😂🤣😅😆

[@tisaiah2207]

@@cane2253 I do

[@tibor6775]

finally a topic no one talks about.

[@jimbeamm36]

2012 CBR250R, O ring chain, oil every 500 Kms. Lasted 77,000 KMs. Was still in spec, only changed because I had a long ride planned. It all comes down to proper maintenance.

[@jimmy_dirtbike]

Good to see ya, Cam! Doing the same project for my B2B 1997 cr125

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks for checking in Johnny! Can't wait to see your build!

[@jacobvanhalteren7452]

From what I've heard a lot of race teams use X rings since they are already less power-robbing than o rings when cold and when hot they are apparently quite close to a regular chain for power loss, plus they typically have a bit better durability, and don't fail as often.

[@anthonyscott16]

Great lesson, very informative. Thanks Cam

[@keithdunlap2701]

Nice !! Always learning something new with you every time Cam !! Great Video...

[@CameronNiemela]

I appreciate that Keith! Thanks for watching

[@MintWorxTv]

This video is legit! I learned a ton!

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks brother man! It was too much fun filming this one lol

[@JoeBruin1999]

Pulling back and forth gives a decent amount of play.

[@UlisesGlez26]

A lot of great information man, interesting to see the differences in weight between chains.

[@ValarAmstaffs]

Great video, Cam!

[@ssse3123]

Your old chain links were worn flat from rubbing against sliders. That also is a good indication.

[@kaidwyer]

I bet a circular groove on each link plate, with a chamfered edge on each side of the roller that seats into that groove, would likely work to seal the roller a bit. The problem with a total seal is that a rubber ring would introduce a lot of friction to the roller, which negates its entire purpose. Perhaps a Teflon coating in the groove would keep water from wicking in from outside. The trick would be engineering the roller’s tolerances so that the coating doesn’t wear off.

[@mlefevre78]

Great video! I usually run through 2 or 3 front sprockets before changing everything out. Same goes for the master link, I ride woods and use O and X-ring. I can't understand all the people who don't lube chains. Just spin your wheel before and after to see the proof. Also, all chain lubes are NOT created equal.

[@oregonskate]

I cleaned and lubed my O ring chain for about 40 hours, then I did a little digging and found out the O ring chains just need to be clean, but not lube. My O ring chain absolutely spins more freely with only cleaning and no lube.

[@mfmonthefmf]

Awesome breakdown and good to know you recommend and stock ProX on your store (sprockets too!). would much rather buy them through you and support the cause. Happy Thanksgiving from AZ!

[@ChrisMason.333]

I usually run DID or RK X ring on my 450s other than in snowbike mode I use non sealed chain because there’s no dirt and want the least amount of drag/rolling resistance and weight transferred into the Timbersled Riot kit. Just keep it well lubed and always keep a couple master links in the tool kit for any breaks in the back country. I’ll try a ProX Gold next time I buy one.

[@pakoymotovlogs9382]

How i wish i got some of this monster engines seesh 💕💕💕💕💕

[@epicrebuild4747]

Thanks for the information ma man

[@CameronNiemela]

Happy to serve you!

[@vibes_4207]

Got supper lucky chain just blew off and smacked my case it had a few stiff links and it was making a little bit of chatter at low rpm but I didn’t think it was that bad ..lesson learned for sure gonna scotchbrite the case smooth and look for a behind sprocket case saver keep it nice looking 😅😅😅

[@keshmo12]

Interesting video. My super moto goes through chains like crazy cause of concrete launches.

[@daviditubia1725]

You did it so well, thank you...Big Like from me!!!!

[@johnlastname2895]

@Cameron Niemela The chain rollers are not sealed because they do not need to be, the rollers can be extremely worn and not affect the chain or sprockets at all because they remain on the same center line as the pins, so basically if all the rollers wear .02mm they all just move over .02mm when under a load but all contact at the correct time and distribute the load 100% evenly unlike what would happen with worn pins where all the wear adds up and actually makes the chain longer and causes the load to but put on a single chain tooth and eats sprocket teeth. Unless the rollers 100% fail and fall out (never seen it happen even on broken chains) then roller wear doesn't matter at all, Sorry not sure the best way explain this. Love the videos keep it up

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks for the comment! I see what you’re saying but that’s only partially true because the roller diameter will wear down over time and that will create slop in the sprocket teeth.

[@johnlastname2895]

Let's agree to disagree lol

[@pmfilmsUK]

Thank you.

[@CameronNiemela]

Thanks for watching Patrick!

[@makantahi3731]

i drive bicycle and chain wear can be measured on 2 ways: by caliper (16:30) for inner diameter jaws, new chain never used is 119.65 mm, new in good shape between 119.70-119.85mm, on end of life 119.85-120.00mm, and worn 120.00 and more, second way to see if chain is worn is to compare lenght of hanged chains: on 108 links : 0.5-2.0 mm new in good condition , 2.0-2.5 mm end of life , over 2.5mm worn, so you should determine lenghts for motobike chain when is good , when is worn, in numbers

[@tianyangkim7958]

information play a critical role

[@brianwickwire1122]

next up. lobe wear combined with swingarm bearing wear and torsional leverage. means the ass end flips out in the whoops.

[@ianmangham4570]

I always buy chains ⛓, for the price you just can't go wrong.🤟💯

[@davidnelson6893]

Yes you got right

[@enduro-parts-aus]

Cant believe how much they stretched thats wild!

[@brapamaldi7666]

Cameron, you said the chain was on your bike 9 years, but didnt mention how many hours of running that worked out to be.

[@joecarlino7870]

Chain lube reduces heat. Heat wears out the bearing surfaces of the chain. Power washing your chain forces out lube. It's best to take off the chain before you power wash your bike. Clean the chain in a wash basin with soap and water. Soak chain in motor oil for 24 hours.

[@dustinsouza1410]

My chain is always floppy for some reason, until my wife gets her hands on it! 🤔

[@karelfortl2365]

Díky!

[@331moto]

I had an xring chain for over 100hrs on my CR250R. There was zero stretch, but the plates were worn flat on both sides and it was about to wear into the xring seal itself.

[@janeblogs324]

How do you reckon the plates wore? Do you mean in inside where its plate on plate?

[@331moto]

@@janeblogs324 where the plates come in contact with the chain slider and guide. The round part of the plates where the pins go thru. If you watch Cameron's video, you can see where his xring chain had the same wear ( 6:01 ). I'm assuming it's from grit/dirt in the groves of the chain slider? I had a tm designs chain slider and guide, that wasn't worn thru to the swingarm.

[@janeblogs324]

@@331moto the edges of the plates? Or the tips of the pins?

[@janeblogs324]

@@331moto so the right chain with rounded plates is what they should all look like?

[@Tbands707]

One chain I used for a bit ended up getting kinked, first time I’ve experienced that

[@Spartan375X]

Since all of my bikes are XR 250 and under, I use standard chain. I'm just going with less friction for the engines to deal with, but I do the sealed ones every now and then depending on the situation. The stretch and the increasing noise from the standard is definitely a downside.

[@Spartan375X]

@Cameron_Niemela1 OMG How exciting! I can't wait to get a free prize from the real @Cameron_Niemela1!

[@Spartan375X]

@Cameron_Niemela1 Telegrams? That's a thing we stopped using almost 100 years ago. Very few people know morse code these days.

[@cdnrider6200]

good one

[@KoltFin]

I haven't tried many chain brands but stay away from ebay/Amazon/wish chains. I tried one and it stretched almost 2 links in a four hour ride.

[@phatheadracingmx]

I prefer sealed chains over sloppy Joe’s

[@CameronNiemela]

Haha not a lot of folks seem to like sloppy Joe

[@miro_s]

I dont see how the rollers getting consumed make the chain longer.... it must be the pins... how that compounds to a stretch of 3.5 links over 112 links I dont know...

[@filip-xo1hk]

I think the roller slop is because the other ones have siezed and your old one was maintained and hasent siezed

[@samb4678]

Do you live in Montana Cameron?

[@donnawells2442]

I put a little over 20,000 miles on the stock chain on my KLR. That was with a lot of maintenance. It eventually turned into a game to see how long I could make it last. I would say I got my money out of that chain. Have a blessed day. RIDE SAFE!!!!!!!!!

[@chrisrieger9201]

If you add a large rear sprocket will that effect the chain length?

[@chrisrieger9201]

@Cameron_Niemela1 come again

[@StoneStraiff]

You ran the same chain for 9 years?

[@phatheadracingmx]

Regina, where’s my flip flops?

[@evo5349]

All ways have boiled my chains for motocross and now mtb in Putoline grease boil in a can in Europe but do not boil o'ring chains as it will wreck them.

[@chandler__21]

What about sprockets? I thought you should replace all of it so it wears together. Is it okay to run a used chain and replace both sprockets?

[@CameronNiemela]

Watch through the video it explains this

[@ballockybill2277]

Best to replace as a full set ,

[@allensnook7760]

Hello cameron just got done watching the chain dope info,it got me thinking about wear from old hard lube,grit,sand,mud and was wondering would it not be of benifit or not to occasionally take off chain soak and rinse in say diesel fuel then a good soapy rinse like dawn.then relube wouldnt that help get more life and less wear out of a chain.would i just be wasting time or beneficial. Snookie pa!!klr-650 owner💥👍🤪😜✌️💥

[@ballockybill2277]

Use engine oil instead of spray lubes , and oil the chain before riding . Works better , much cleaner and costs next to nothing ; )

[@marthamryglod291]

They last until your paper route and lawn mowing business can afford a new set, aka one entire year. Fun fact, you will be surprised to learn that if you run the same chain for long enough, it can sit entirely on TOP of the rear sprocket teeth. When you are ten miles from civilization.

[@ianmangham4570]

ENGLAND 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ENGLAND

[@84ion]

Can i get this on amazon??

[@davidr1997]

What chain lube do u use? I am using some good quality chain spray but it seems like it is just picking up dirt and even wearing faster now..

[@k.snyder_812]

I’d recommend wiping off the residual before you ride

[@davidr1997]

@@k.snyder_812 I keep the chain clean and make sure the rollers never have a shine like a mirror (indicator of to little lubrication). On my supermoto I never have excessive chain wear and even stretching. But maybe it's just way worse when riding sandy enduro trails...

[@CameronNiemela]

I've used Maxima chain guard for many years. Seems to stay on the chain well and keeps things lubed

[@janeblogs324]

Start with ceramic car body spray, let it fully evaporate/cure, then oil in the rollers

[@ballockybill2277]

Spray ons are too sticky , pick up lots of dirt , and don't penetrate the rollers . Use engine oil on your chain before every ride , only takes a minute , and you won't have all that abrasive gunk stuck to your chain .

[@yveslegrand9826]

So what's the answer to your title "How long Do Motorcycle Chains Last " is basicaly "it depends"... that's a great news ;-)

[@rwcasto]

Excellently done- I am always wondering how long is too long for a chain- my 450 seems to really eat chains like Joe Biden mumbles… 😅

[@CameronNiemela]

Wow that must eat a lot of chains going by that metric!

[@rwcasto]

@@CameronNiemela LOL 😆

[@janeblogs324]

Worn sprockets stretch chains

[@rwcasto]

@@janeblogs324 change them every other chain- not sure what I am doing wrong? I don't run worn out stuff- kind of manic about it 🙂

[@julio7156]

chain with retainer loses up to two hp on the wheel

[@aaronbright5028]

The answer is..... Waaaaaay longer if you refuse to lube it.

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

People are to picky about their chains and sprockets. I have been riding and racing for 40 years and I do zero maintenance to my chains. I have never had a problem with a chain ether. I will run the same chain for 10 years all while swapping both sprockets around for different gearing all with the same old chain. I don’t lube and I run them super loose. I have found that a loose chain has less resistance and frees up power, also a loose chain can let a rock or a stick go around through the sprockets safer with less likely hood of sprocket damage. A dry chain stays cleaner and lube attracts dirt and flings sticky shit everywhere. I find it funny how people throw their money away and replace their chain and sprockets like every 10 hours of riding. Not only that they are always adjusting and lubing every ride. My chain has so much side to side play, that I can almost hook it on a tire knob. Yet it’s never fail in any way and just keeps working. The only time I get annoyed with it is when I hear it slapping on braking bumps. Then I will tighten it up a bit.

[@ballockybill2277]

Bullshit !! Unless you ride once or twice in a decade . Don't do this kids , unless you want your chain to snap while riding and maybe cause expensive damage to your bike or worse injure yourself .

[@tuanangquoc2580]

Are you kidding?

[@foxmulder4308]

sounding like Joe Biden over here - lol 😂

[@ianmangham4570]

You certainly don't look like Joe Biden Cam, here ! I got a pic of Biden from his college year book 🤡 🤣🙏🇺🇸👊💯🤟⚡⚡💣

[@MotoClowns]

First 😂😂😂😂

[@randomusernumber1]

I am going to say it ! Sealed chains are a scam ! There i said it !

[@dsolid0]

I suggest you belay your political inclinations, else the conversation strays to Lauren Boebert and her Christian nationalisim pitch (because America should be an autocracy "as our founding fathers intended").

[@CameronNiemela]

I suggest you go watch some other channel then. I exercise my first amendment rights and speak what I want.

[@trailrideadventures]

No you sound like Trump insulting people.

[@CameronNiemela]

Make 2 strokes great again

[@armoil8917]

@@CameronNiemela Love your videos! i have taken much better care of my bike since i started watching your maintenance videos!

[@jimmy_dirtbike]

You sound like you voted for a potato dictato.

[@gmcman355crazy]

That biden comment makes me like you even more

[@pakoymotovlogs9382]

How i wish i got some of this monster engines seesh 💕💕💕💕💕