Chain missing an O-ring?

[Jeff in Wales]

Hello,

Today I noticed what I thought was rust on the chain but in fact it appears to be paint, that red marker paint that is used on fasteners to indicate whether or not they've been 'interfered' with. There're other bits for example on the front wheel retaining bolts.

Anyway, at the point on the chain indicated with the paint there doesn't appear to be an O-ring. There is a similar point on the opposite side two links away. Can't see any more anywhere along the chain.

Is this normal? Does it indicate where the chain was joined?

O-Ring 1 by JeffinNWales, on Flickr

Cheers for any advice.

[Joe Rocket]

You're going to get chain lubrication and maintenace comments with that picture. The chain is dry and looks to be slack (unproven from a photo though).

Do you know the history of the chain? Did you have it put on, do you know how many miles it's done, is it an 'o' ring chain?

Curiously the link is marked on the inner plate, I'd expect it to be on the outer plate where the pins have been squashed into position.   

Just my thoughts from a picture. 

[greywolf]

It's not paint. It's the red dust of death. Some people say it's the clay base from the grease that is sealed in by the O-rings and others say it is rust from the chain pin that is now running without grease. The bottom line is the chain needs to be replaced immediately. It's a hot spot for chain breakage and is not reversible as the pin is no longer smooth and round.

[Jeff in Wales]

It's the original chain with 12K miles done since new in June. I keep it regularly lubed. It was a bit dry on the rollers but the linkages / pins through the O-rings were still 'wet'. I noticed this just before giving it a blast with Yamma lube. Slack is at 30mm I.e. on max' recommended limit.

You can see in the pic below that there's no O-ring. Usually clean chain with O-ring friendly cleaner and one of those three sided Oxford cleaning brushes.

O-Ring 2 by JeffinNWales, on Flickr

[Jeff in Wales]

Thanks JR and GW.
 
Posted the other pic whilst GW was replying.

Darn it!

Any idea why that's happened then? What chance warranty replacement?

I've only used reputable (Wurth and WD40) chain cleaners that are supposedly O-ring friendly and the softish Oxford cleaning brush.

[greywolf]

The brush probably pulled the O-ring out and allowed the sealed in grease to be washed out. The rider with the best chain life I know of never cleans his chain but lubricates it every fuel stop and after every rain ride.

[Jeff in Wales]

Thanks GW.

Then I expect that's what the dealers going to say (brush did it).

Must just correct something too - it's not an Oxford brush, sorry for blaming Oxford! It's one of these:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_rev/63329/page_1/max_20

[Jeff in Wales]

Will order this chain:

http://www.bikespeeduk.com/chains/did-chains/did-gold-x-ring-motorbike-chain-525vxgb-118-link/prod_2199.html

and this tool:

http://www.bikespeeduk.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2223

[user650]

Have a look on Demon tweeks, I got my sprockets and chain set from then for about £90 including a small refillable can of chain lube.

[Rich:-)]

For cleaning, I now do the following.

I lube generally before each ride (engine oil or gear oil with soft paint brush) or during the ride with my manual chain oiler (gear oil).

Every few rides I clean the chain using fresh oil & a soft cloth. I brush on oil, rotate the chain a few times and then take off as much as possible with the cloth, also cleaning the sides of the links but that is just for show .
Then re-lube.

Don't jet wash the bike, and generally try not to wash the chain at all.

[mr_diver]

I would advise a change of chain and sprockets as a set.

That chain tool is crap... If you want basic have a look at something like this:
https://www.mandp.co.uk/jt-chain-breaker-riveting-tool.html

[tallpaul]

I have the same chain breaker/ riveter and it works a treat. I ground the excess pin off where I split the chain using a dremmel, just to give the breaking punch an easier time of it.

[boomer]

The red marks on the chain are what is known as fretting corrosion, very common where two parts meet that are dry,  ie no lube. This often occurs where there is high frequency movement but of a small magnitude,  such as vibration.
I'm afraid a new chain is needed and maybe fitting an auto lube system. 

[greywolf]

I hadn't heard about fretting corrosion before. It seems to fit the symptoms exactly. Thanks for that. I've got to find the bloke who said it was the dried clay out of clay based grease and say nasty things to him about his mother.