[DarR]

This is...not correct. Chains absolutely stretch. Next time you swap yours, hold it up next to the new one. The links stretch, the holes in the links loosen and stretch and the pins wear down.

Chains don't stretch. Period. That's a poor choice of a definition.
However as the pins wear, it makes the chain longer over time as Tamworth has mentioned.

 

[DaveK]

Yea Tamworth had it right... the metal bits of the chain don't actually change length... but it definitely LOOKS like they do until you measure them one at a time.

You could possibly get that to happen if you used a super-undersized chain on the bike... but the chain would quickly break and even then I suspect it would actually break at the pins rather than stretching/breaking the links.

Too bad about the Endurance chain... I was hoping they'd come up with a low friction & durable material for the rollers, but it did seem "too good to be true".

 

[Ricko]

Maybe 15 yrs ago I had a zx-9 and lazy me tired of chain cleaning and maintenance had a though, hey what if I just don't use wax, just wd40?

Did 30k km before I sold it for my sf and chain wasn't due.

So when I bought my sf in 2011, tried the same thing. Did 32k km on the cheap oem chain, and on the next set of better quality, ek 3d chain and supersprox sprockets, did 53 000km on this set.

And I must add that I don't use wd40 very often, only after I caught rain or the chain appear dry.

So I made longer on wd40 than I ever did on chain wax, on a more powerful bike. Bonus, the chain drive look as good as new and everything stay clean. To me that proves wax attract grit which act like a compound.

But as I always say, do whatever's needed to sleep good at night.

 

[RockAZ]

Yes, wax attracts grit and traps it in the wax until it flakes off. Once the wax absorbs a certain amount of dirt it is no longer sticky but dry and brittle which makes it flake off. You see wax with grit on the side plates, but not on the roller pins which is where the damage is done. They will be very shiny and clean - rust free also. Sticky chain lubes just smear the grit around on the pins, wax flakes off taking the dirt with it.

And although WD-40 is a cleaner and not a lubricant, if you are using it often to keep the chain side plates clean it should work pretty well because the lube for high quality chains is sealed inside o-rings anyway. What we are trying to do is reduce the grit on the outside of the pins/rollers to reduce friction on the sprockets. Best not to blast the chain directly with WD40 because you don't want it to penetrate the o-rings and clean out the sealed lube, but use it on a cloth or brushes. Definitely use WD40 more heavily after riding in the rain or after washing the bike because it is a Water Displacement spray.

Again, wax may not be the best for all climates, works great in the hot dry desert. For one thing, it is easy to apply since the chain is almost always hot which helps spread the wax evenly all over including sealing the o-rings. Arizona roads are covered in a very fine dust in between haboobs and dust devils, it gets in everything and acts like sandpaper on metal. It turns grease and lubes into something more like tar once it gets saturated.

 

[Bengt Johansson]

If you like to get the Regina HPE chain you can order it here:

Regina REGINA HPE - CHAIN 525 124 LINKS OPEN WITH LOCK

Buy Regina REGINA HPE - CHAIN 525 124 LINKS OPEN WITH LOCK at Louis Moto for a great price. Top brands ✓ Great selection ✓ No risk ✓ Secure payment ✓ 2 year return policy ✓

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Regina 525 HPE Z-ring chain + Rivet link | Duell

Regina 525 HPE Z-ring chain + Rivet link | Duell

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Regina HPE 525 chain 128 links

This chain is nothing less than a revolution. So far it’s been like this: anyone riding a motorcycle with a chain as secondary drive was forced to clean, grease and re-tension O-ring chains. This innovative chain puts an end to this. With the new HPE Z-ring chain, all of the advantages of a...

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PROGEAR

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you need 124 links and the 525 chain is what you have on the V4S.

I have an issue with uneven stretch on my chain. It was noticed at the 1000 km service. According to Ducati, It could be the rubbers on the front drive sprocket that need running in (!). I need to get back to my dealer after another 1000 km to check. If the problem has not sorted itself by then, I will get an new chain+sprockets on warranty. I will perhaps then upgrade to the Regina HPE chain for a surcharge.

 

[aero52]

BMW recommends : Lubricating and caring for low-maintenance chain

see chain 186 + 187

https://manuals.bmw-motorrad.com/manuals/BA-Extern/IN/BA-INTERNET-COM/PDF/S_0E41_RM_0520_01.pdf

 

[Bengt Johansson]

BMW recommends : Lubricating and caring for low-maintenance chain

see chain 186 + 187

https://manuals.bmw-motorrad.com/manuals/BA-Extern/IN/BA-INTERNET-COM/PDF/S_0E41_RM_0520_01.pdf

Lubing once per year as part of the annual service means that the driver do not need to worry. It is a bit less than once per 800 km for the standard chain.

 

[oxidefilm]

And although WD-40 is a cleaner and not a lubricant

This is one of those old "listen here sonny" things that just wont die. WD40 is absolutely, positively, first and foremost a penetrating lubricant and water displacer. The solvent/cleaner aspects of it are well known and well used but to say that a spray made mostly of petroleum-based oils is silly.

 

[RockAZ]

More than 50% mineral spirits -

Sure, it keeps a chain clean when used frequently for that purpose, wiping any excess off, it does a great job of removing dirt. And there are lubricants, but not ideal for the high temperatures that our bike chains operate at. And the penetrating action of the solvents is over the long haul corrosive to the o-rings barrier where the heat is also a factor, which can cause the loss of the lube permanently sealed inside the pins. I use WD-40 all the time to clean my motorcycle chain and on my road and mountain bicycles. but as I mentioned they all get wiped down with it followed by waxing.

I agree with you that dirt is more damaging than WD-40, but this stuff is not holy water either.

3 - Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS # Weight Percent

US Hazcom 2012/ GHS Classification Heptane 64742-49-0 142-82-5 70-80% Aspiration Toxicity Category 1 Flammable Liquid Category 2 Skin Irritant Category 2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single Exposure Category 3 (nervous system effects)

Propane Propellant 74-98-6 10-20% Flammable Gas Category 1 Gas Under Pressure, Compressed Gas

Petroleum Solvent 64741-66-8 64742-47-8 5-10% Flammable Liquid, Category 2 Aspiration Toxicity Category 1

Mineral Oil Proprietary 1-5% Not Hazardous

Note: The specific chemical identities and exact percentages are a trade secret.

 

[Griffc13]

Add one more to the BS column please.
I imagine it performs admirably in a controlled test lab or on the factory floor where the loads and operating speeds are likely to be constant and the chain is sized like weight is of no consequence.
And I don't envision Geppetto in the lab ladling mud and sand onto the test setup while it runs at 100% of rated load either.
Tell you what, let me/us test it, real world commute, and I'll wear it out in 7k miles or less with or without chain wax. If I don't THEN I'll pay list price, and for $375 I might let the BWW dealer change it for me LOL!
WRT stretching; I thought manufacturers pre-stretch the chain. I've never tried measuring end plate stretch, but when I pull a worn chain the wear is on the pins; in section view there's a crescent worn off the circumference of the pins.

 

[DucInTheDesert]

Chains don't stretch. Period. That's a poor choice of a definition.
However as the pins wear, it makes the chain longer over time as Tamworth has mentioned.

The correct term for the increase in chain length due to wear is elongation.

Unfortunately, the misleading term 'stretch' has been in common use instead. I'm pretty sure there is no motorcycle that has enough power to stretch the type of steel that is used to make motorcycle chains.

Here is a good explanation...

Understanding Roller Chain Wear Life | The Diamond Chain Company

Why Choosing a Quality Roller Chain from The Diamond Chain Company will Maximize Your Drive's Service Life and Minimize Costs.

www.diamondchain.com