Anybody swap out the Factory Chain when the bike is new?

[ol mike]

With a high-end O-Ring chain

 

[Kev250R]

With a high-end O-Ring chain

I didn't on my Trail, but I have on other bikes I've owned with the thought being that if I did it early (say within the first 100 miles) it would save me from having to replace the Sprockets as well.

My Trail only has ~1,500 miles on it and for the way I'm riding it, the stock chain has been fine so far.

 

[SneakyDingo]

If you think you're going to do it, I think it's worth doing. I had no loss of power and I kept the old chain as a "spare".

Be aware that it's a little harder to press the master link on enough to get the clip; when I did it with the DID 428 VX chain, the first time I snapped the clip because I didn't press the outer plate on enough. By comparison, the OEM chain I could do with my bare hands and basically no tools. Also be aware that the Motion Pro Master Link tool only works for 5xx chains or bigger, which have pins farther apart than the 428 chains, so you won't be able to use that tool if you own it.

 

[m in sc]

safety wire the master link clip if you are worried. rivet links suck to deal with. When the stock chain wears out i'll probably go o-ring but honestly, not that big a deal to run the old one until its time to replace.

 

[dmonkey]

I have the PBR Chain Tool and though it doesn't list any compatibility with 428 chains, I was able to use it to press the (clip style) master link into place on a DID 428 VX. You need to press it into place before sliding the clip on because of the o-rings on the master link. On an unsealed chain you could do it by hand or with pliers, the rings give more of a fight and it's a balance of compressing them without squishing them to the point of damage. After pressing the master link into place and removing the chain from the tool I still I found it difficult to slide the clip into place. On unsealed chains you can usually do that with minimal effort and the tap of a flat blade screwdriver. The first time I got it to work struggling with a screwdriver. Other times I've used master link clip pliers and they make it much easier. If you don't want to buy a pair and have old pliers that you don't care about lying around you can modify them into master link clip pliers with a grinder.

For your consideration, on the 2021-2022 models it's ~$45 before tax or shipping to replace the front and rear sprocket with OEM parts. If/when you replace the OEM unsealed chain with a sealed one, it's worth buying a spare master link or two that are of the same brand and also for that style of sealed chain. Inspect the front sprocket fixing plate while you have it off.

 

[NMCoyote]

why?

 

[dmonkey]

Lower maintenance and longer life.

 

[ol mike]

why?

The Sprockets & Chain ''wear-in'' together , I read to not put a new chain on old Sprockets. So if a person decides to go with a top notch chain you need to do it before the factory chain is stretched and worn.

 

[m in sc]

thats kind of bs in reality. as long as the sprocket is ok, you can absolutely use a new chain on an old sprocket as long as the chain rolls smoothly over it & the teeth aren't 'hooked'. I have a garage full of bikes like this that are just fine, aluminum and steel sprockets.... wearing out a sprocket comes typically from running a chain thats worn out, which increases the distance between the rollers, and grinding on the side of the sprocket teeth. this will eventually 'hook' the teeth and cause issues. an o-ring chain will not cause a sprocket to last longer either, just a chain to last longer, typically. so, yes, if you run an chain thats worn out, then you will kill your sprockets. if you don't maintain your chain, you will wear it out prematurely.

 

[dmonkey]

By the time a chain is worn ("stretched") to the point of needing replacement on the stock sprockets they will also have matching wear. They wear together. Put a new chain on it at that point and the chain will wear out prematurely. Doesn't mean you need to replace the chain and sprockets with new at exactly the same time, just that you should do so before either have significant wear.

 

[m in sc]

dont run it until its slap worn out, its that simple. I have 45 year old sprockets that look basically new because chain maintenance was properly done. ^ is not my experience at all. However, -most- people will run their chains way past their due date & then its an issue. (probably why its a 'general rule). I've run (o-ring) chains to 30k plus (on bigger bikes) and put new chains on and the original sprockets were fine, and didn't 'prematurely wear out' the chains. I mean, it won't hurt to replace the sprockets ever, of course, but its never been my experience where its absolutely necessary as long as maintenance was done. This is of course on street bikes, dirt bikes will see a lot more abrasive conditions.

 

[SneakyDingo]

It is very convenient to pretty much never adjust the chain tension though My primary reason for doing it.

 

[Cpd419]

I changed mine at about 500 miles I think. The oem was way too loud and I don’t have to lube as often. No difference in power that I could tell. I used a small c clamp and a small piece of metal and pressed the master link together.

 

[NMCoyote]

While i do understand the desire to work on and modify these cool little bikes, spending the time and $$ to add an X-ring chain just doesn't make since to me. But hey, it's your bike and your investment.
I am willing to bet I'll never need to change out the chain on this bike and I am planning on about 3000 to 5000 miles a year and that's a lot for these little entertainment devises. Bought mine in May and have about 1500 on it now and it's getting finally getting cold here, so less trips to the hardware store.

 

[Kev250R]

While i do understand the desire to work on and modify these cool little bikes, spending the time and $$ to add an X-ring chain just doesn't make since to me. But hey, it's your bike and your investment.
I am willing to bet I'll never need to change out the chain on this bike and I am planning on about 3000 to 5000 miles a year and that's a lot for these little entertainment devises. Bought mine in May and have about 1500 on it now and it's getting finally getting cold here, so less trips to the hardware store.

I agree with the exception of those who are riding long-distances (such as @dmonkey or @G19Tony who both recently completed coast-to-coast rides on a Trail!). I ran the stock non-O-Ring chain on my Grom when I had it from 0-3,000 miles (over five years) and other then having to adjust it regularly it didn't give me any problems, though when I sold the bike admittedly the chain was due for replacement. Also my Grom was never ridden long-distances. Had I been doing lots of miles over long-distances I would have upgraded the chain.

For most riders I think not having to futz with the chain on a regular basis is the reason why they upgrade. I'll admit I fall into that camp most of the time.

 

[NMCoyote]

Understandable, I think I'm saving my pennies up for suspension upgrades and future exhaust mods, something that I can feel the difference with.

 

[m in sc]

I'm still on the stock chain, zero issues TBH.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Had I been doing lots of miles over long-distances I would have upgraded the chain.

When we did the CDT, I was on my o-ring chain and Bryan was on the unsealed chain. We found ourselves swapping over the counter sprocket cog between 14T and 13T enough that the difference in sealed vs. unsealed didn't matter that much since we constantly had to adjust the chain tension to account for the addition or subtraction of a tooth. Eventually I got it down to a science. Additionally, every day Bryan was committing the cardinal sin of using WD40 or something close to that to clean and "lube" the chain; his vigilance paid off and he had no issues I can think of. It was noisy AF but that didn't affect the operation of the chain. I didn't have to touch the chain nearly as much as he did, which was my main benefit.

 

[NMCoyote]

"Friends don't let friends use WD-40 for anything other then lighting up wasp nests" just sayin I'm not a fan!

 

[oldskool]

"Friends don't let friends use WD-40 for anything other then lighting up wasp nests" just sayin I'm not a fan!

The company itself says not to use it on bike chains as they require something that will provide longer lubrication and protection.
That said I would use it in a pinch ( ie your in the sticks and got a nice bunch of clay mud on your chain and someone has some WD to use,) until you could get to where better stuff can be used.