Karts use a chain which is really much too small for the power we're transmitting (219 pitch), but we're stuck with them because we need such astronomical ratio's (like, 7 or 8 to 1, which is not possible with larger gauge chain).
As a result, the actual chain itself needs to be of exceptional quality to survive. That's why each chain regularly costs $60 bucks or more. A few years ago, I imported some chain from China, which looked to be of excellent quality, and would have retailed at around $15 per chain... but it didn't last a day on a clubman kart, and regularly snapped in the first SESSION on a rotax!
So, the cheapest chain worth buying in my experience is RK "Gold", which is $50 bucks and good quality stuff. The DID "Gold" is $60 bucks, and is about the same. Next step up is DID "DHA" which has better materials, costs about $70 bucks, and is suited to more horsepower. Next step up again is the RK or DID O-ring chains, which cost nearly $100 bucks, but are fairly well indestructible.
I'm looking forward to trying the CZ chain, which at $40 bucks may well be good enough for Clubman and J applications, but I haven't used one yet to know what they're like.
No matter what chain you're using, it needs to be tensioned correctly, lubed EVERY session, and running on sprockets that are in good nick. If either of the sprockets or the chain are "shagged", you can bet your bottom dollar the other two will be too very soon!
looks like you're running 125R or 125. Buy at least DID or RK brand. If you can afford a bit more, buy the head treated DHA type. Anything cheaper and they can't handle the power. Also make sure you use a good chain lube and your spockets all lined up nicely.
on on September 7, 2009 at 18:10
DID DHA chains used with Bel-Ray chain lube.
I have used the same combo for years with my 200 super on both dirt and bitumen.
Bel-Ray now have a Supertac chain lube that seems to be good, not as messy as the old stuff which is better for clutched applications.
I have seen quite a few 100% genuine copies from China over the years but none of them have been of the same quality as DID. I guess you get what you pay for when it comes to chains...
rwood on September 7, 2009 at 19:14
I race endurance karts so have a bit of experience with what chains last.
DID G&G are crap. We find they stretch heaps causing you to have tight spots.
DID DHA are OK.
RK Standards are good. Hardly any stretch and generally when they do stretch they stretch evenly. These were our preference until we tried the RK O-Rings.
RK O-Ring are awesome. We just used these for a 24hr race with Talon sprockets and after the race the chains and sprockets are still like new and we are going to use them again for the next race.
Our motors aren't very powerful but our clutches engage very aggressive compared to the clubman red clutch I have so they do put a lot of load on the chains.
The Panther Chains are freiking awesome. They are a little bit pricey, but on a clubman, i have never snapped one and I started using them like this time last year. Obviously we've replaced them at big meeting as a precaution, but i havent had one snap.
rwood on September 7, 2009 at 19:37
Nick Fein said:The Panther Chains are freiking awesome. They are a little bit pricey, but on a clubman, i have never snapped one and I started using them like this time last year. Obviously we've replaced them at big meeting as a precaution, but i havent had one snap.
I have heard this too but haven't tested them yet.
ive found the opposite with the panther chain... i had 3 of them and they all snapped one at the dubbo leopard final when i was in 2nd, one at the qld states and one at the nationals. Not gonna spend 150 bucks on something that will end my chances of such big meetings!
Brendan,
Stay off the kerbs.......
John Lane said:Brendan,Stay off the kerbs.......
Spot on - no chain likes to be run on the track, any dent on the link becomes a stress raiser leading to premature failure
We use only DHA and prefer Panther on Rotax
A little extra cost but with good lubrication the extra life gives value for $$$
Col is spot on we compromise chain sprocket design to give us the ratios we need
I would be shot for using anything close to 13 teeth in industrial applications anything less is a compromise and gives lumpy transmission which must be causing all sorts of impact loadings and shocking loads on shaft and bearings
southern cross motorsport up here in queensland just started dealing in chains we went and brought a chain and sprocket off them for $50 bucks and ran it in proclubman light for the last round of the supercheap series which was pretty much a day of practice and three 20km races. Dont know how they would hold up on a rotax or leopard though. But i was fairly surprised as i expected to break in the first session or so
rwood on September 8, 2009 at 8:48
Brendan Nelson said:ive found the opposite with the panther chain... i had 3 of them and they all snapped one at the dubbo leopard final when i was in 2nd, one at the qld states and one at the nationals. Not gonna spend 150 bucks on something that will end my chances of such big meetings!
Comments12
No, unfortunately chains are not chains.
Karts use a chain which is really much too small for the power we're transmitting (219 pitch), but we're stuck with them because we need such astronomical ratio's (like, 7 or 8 to 1, which is not possible with larger gauge chain).
As a result, the actual chain itself needs to be of exceptional quality to survive. That's why each chain regularly costs $60 bucks or more. A few years ago, I imported some chain from China, which looked to be of excellent quality, and would have retailed at around $15 per chain... but it didn't last a day on a clubman kart, and regularly snapped in the first SESSION on a rotax!
So, the cheapest chain worth buying in my experience is RK "Gold", which is $50 bucks and good quality stuff. The DID "Gold" is $60 bucks, and is about the same. Next step up is DID "DHA" which has better materials, costs about $70 bucks, and is suited to more horsepower. Next step up again is the RK or DID O-ring chains, which cost nearly $100 bucks, but are fairly well indestructible.
I'm looking forward to trying the CZ chain, which at $40 bucks may well be good enough for Clubman and J applications, but I haven't used one yet to know what they're like.
No matter what chain you're using, it needs to be tensioned correctly, lubed EVERY session, and running on sprockets that are in good nick. If either of the sprockets or the chain are "shagged", you can bet your bottom dollar the other two will be too very soon!
looks like you're running 125R or 125. Buy at least DID or RK brand. If you can afford a bit more, buy the head treated DHA type. Anything cheaper and they can't handle the power. Also make sure you use a good chain lube and your spockets all lined up nicely.
on on September 7, 2009 at 18:10
DID DHA chains used with Bel-Ray chain lube.
I have used the same combo for years with my 200 super on both dirt and bitumen.
Bel-Ray now have a Supertac chain lube that seems to be good, not as messy as the old stuff which is better for clutched applications.
I have seen quite a few 100% genuine copies from China over the years but none of them have been of the same quality as DID. I guess you get what you pay for when it comes to chains...
rwood on September 7, 2009 at 19:14
I race endurance karts so have a bit of experience with what chains last.
DID G&G are crap. We find they stretch heaps causing you to have tight spots.
DID DHA are OK.
RK Standards are good. Hardly any stretch and generally when they do stretch they stretch evenly. These were our preference until we tried the RK O-Rings.
RK O-Ring are awesome. We just used these for a 24hr race with Talon sprockets and after the race the chains and sprockets are still like new and we are going to use them again for the next race.
Our motors aren't very powerful but our clutches engage very aggressive compared to the clubman red clutch I have so they do put a lot of load on the chains.
The Panther Chains are freiking awesome. They are a little bit pricey, but on a clubman, i have never snapped one and I started using them like this time last year. Obviously we've replaced them at big meeting as a precaution, but i havent had one snap.
rwood on September 7, 2009 at 19:37
Nick Fein said:The Panther Chains are freiking awesome. They are a little bit pricey, but on a clubman, i have never snapped one and I started using them like this time last year. Obviously we've replaced them at big meeting as a precaution, but i havent had one snap.
I have heard this too but haven't tested them yet.
ive found the opposite with the panther chain... i had 3 of them and they all snapped one at the dubbo leopard final when i was in 2nd, one at the qld states and one at the nationals. Not gonna spend 150 bucks on something that will end my chances of such big meetings!
Brendan,
Stay off the kerbs.......
John Lane said:Brendan,Stay off the kerbs.......
Spot on - no chain likes to be run on the track, any dent on the link becomes a stress raiser leading to premature failure
We use only DHA and prefer Panther on Rotax
A little extra cost but with good lubrication the extra life gives value for $$$
Col is spot on we compromise chain sprocket design to give us the ratios we need
I would be shot for using anything close to 13 teeth in industrial applications anything less is a compromise and gives lumpy transmission which must be causing all sorts of impact loadings and shocking loads on shaft and bearings
southern cross motorsport up here in queensland just started dealing in chains we went and brought a chain and sprocket off them for $50 bucks and ran it in proclubman light for the last round of the supercheap series which was pretty much a day of practice and three 20km races. Dont know how they would hold up on a rotax or leopard though. But i was fairly surprised as i expected to break in the first session or so
rwood on September 8, 2009 at 8:48
Brendan Nelson said:ive found the opposite with the panther chain... i had 3 of them and they all snapped one at the dubbo leopard final when i was in 2nd, one at the qld states and one at the nationals. Not gonna spend 150 bucks on something that will end my chances of such big meetings!
If you are paying $150 a chain then you are getting ripped off. Homebush karts sells them for less then $90. http://www.karts.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=115_432
I remember hearing that Jason Burns snapped a Panther Chain as he was being push started. He was on Pole for the Vic Open final too...