Cheap eBay 415 Chain

[DCMoney]

I purchased a 415 kit from Aftermarketcycles last month and decided to also buy a cheap eBay 415 chain to test and see how long it will last, carrying the DID chain that came with the kit with me.

This is the chain I'm taking about. http://www.ebay.com/itm/415H-MOPED-C...2dcd49&vxp=mtr

Installed for 2 days of track days in June with 2 races. Then also this past Saturday plus a race, finally Sundays first afternoon session the chain broke.

Had roughly 375 miles on the chain. Not buying another, sticking with DID for now.

[soonerbillz]

After much discussion my choice was a DID 520...
I have heard and seen of too many chain failures in the 428-415 camps...
I need all the help I can get in keeping my large mass moving... Besides..
I really want to hear from those using the 428-415 set ups.. do you really notice an appreciable increase in performance with them?

[cbinker]

If I ever decided to race, i have a better chance of winning the lottery, i would look into a 415 chain. does it offer that much weight reduction?

[rc racer]

I have been running a 415 Tsubaki HD chain for 2 race days and 3 track days at this point. I chose the Tsubaki since it is supposedly stronger than the DID equivalent but weighs a little more and does not look as good since its black instead of gold.

So far I have no issues to report and have not even needed to adjust it yet. Still have the 1.5" of slack that I originally started with. But I keep a keen eye on it and keep it clean and well lubed. Also have a spare with me at all times.

I did not notice a huge difference with it since I was already using a non 0-ring 520 chain when I first set the bike up for track duty. Even the heavy 520 chain spun really free since it was a non-oring so I think that is where most of the improvement it. That and theoretically since it moves with your swing arm the suspension should work better as well. Its probably one of those things that are more noticeable if you go back to a heavy o-ring chain after running the light set-up for a while.


I am no lightweight either. Without gear I tip the scales at 245 lbs. so the chain definitely gets a workout.

[DCMoney]

Originally Posted by soonerbillz

After much discussion my choice was a DID 520...
I have heard and seen of too many chain failures in the 428-415 camps...
I need all the help I can get in keeping my large mass moving... Besides..
I really want to hear from those using the 428-415 set ups.. do you really notice an appreciable increase in performance with them?

If your racing on the cheap stick with 520 non-oring and get a rear aluminum sprocket, think I paid $30 for mine and the weight savings was noticeable between the OEM and the AL one.

With the guys I'm racing against I need every single weight savings, I can get. I don't think any of the other guys running 415 chains have had the chain fail when using the DID.

I ran the cheap chain to evaluate it to see if it was a viable option against the $80 DID chain. Which its not.

[soonerbillz]

Yepper.. thanks for the points !
I am running the DID o ring and a steel 45 tooth with the stock 14 up front... I'm not worried about speed at this point as I have skills learning as my goals right now.. When I get more comfortable with the bike and confident with my tracks skills I move toward more refinement of the bike for performance.. that's why didn't go crazy on the motor build.
The chain/sprocket set I bought was a sale thing, got it cheap and figured it was good enough to get on the track with for now...
Did buy another 15 front and a alloy 44 for the rear... think I should have went with a 46 instead...

[DCMoney]

Originally Posted by rc racer

I have been running a 415 Tsubaki HD chain for 2 race days and 3 track days at this point. I chose the Tsubaki since it is supposedly stronger than the DID equivalent but weighs a little more and does not look as good since its black instead of gold.

So far I have no issues to report and have not even needed to adjust it yet. Still have the 1.5" of slack that I originally started with. But I keep a keen eye on it and keep it clean and well lubed. Also have a spare with me at all times.

I did not notice a huge difference with it since I was already using a non 0-ring 520 chain when I first set the bike up for track duty. Even the heavy 520 chain spun really free since it was a non-oring so I think that is where most of the improvement it. That and theoretically since it moves with your swing arm the suspension should work better as well. Its probably one of those things that are more noticeable if you go back to a heavy o-ring chain after running the light set-up for a while.


I am no lightweight either. Without gear I tip the scales at 245 lbs. so the chain definitely gets a workout.

Thanks for the info, will have to find one of the Tsubaki chains and give it a try!

[rc racer]

Originally Posted by DCMoney

Thanks for the info, will have to find one of the Tsubaki chains and give it a try!

I got my first one as a 415 set with sprockets from www.speedmotoco.com

They conveniently provide a long enough section of Tsubaki chain with 2 master links to make it work on the ninja 250. I don't think the chain is listed on their website that way but a quick email or phone call and they'll line you up.

The 415 chain normally only comes in 120 link lengths

[Xtina]

I'd rather not have my chain snap and destroy my engine or my leg. Don't cheap out on chains.

[Knolly]

Found a photo of you:



More seriously, I had never even heard about the Tsubaki chain, thanks for the info! My chain is about at the end of its life so I'm thinking I'll upgrade to a 415 setup while I'm replacing it.

[bruce71198]

I run the 415 kit from Speedmotoco or After Market Cycles, I don't remember what one, any how I was curious to see how long the chain would last so I ran it till it broke, three race seasons is what I got out of a good chain. For maintenance I would take the chain off, clean it and store it in a gallon anti freeze jug half full of oil when I wasn't using it. A lot of oil would fling off the chain, kind of messy but not enough to make it dangerous.

[DCMoney]

Originally Posted by bruce71198

I run the 415 kit from Speedmotoco or After Market Cycles, I don't remember what one, any how I was curious to see how long the chain would last so I ran it till it broke, three race seasons is what I got out of a good chain. For maintenance I would take the chain off, clean it and store it in a gallon anti freeze jug half full of oil when I wasn't using it. A lot of oil would fling off the chain, kind of messy but not enough to make it dangerous.

Good info, thanks!

[salcuta88]

Originally Posted by DCMoney

I purchased a 415 kit from Aftermarketcycles last month and decided to also buy a cheap eBay 415 chain to test and see how long it will last, carrying the DID chain that came with the kit with me.

This is the chain I'm taking about. http://www.ebay.com/itm/415H-MOPED-C...2dcd49&vxp=mtr

Installed for 2 days of track days in June with 2 races. Then also this past Saturday plus a race, finally Sundays first afternoon session the chain broke.

Had roughly 375 miles on the chain. Not buying another, sticking with DID for now.

Why would you put a bycicle chain on a motorcycle? It clearly shows a bycicle with a small engine on it.

[skeelo221]

Originally Posted by rc racer

I got my first one as a 415 set with sprockets from www.speedmotoco.com

They conveniently provide a long enough section of Tsubaki chain with 2 master links to make it work on the ninja 250. I don't think the chain is listed on their website that way but a quick email or phone call and they'll line you up.

The 415 chain normally only comes in 120 link lengths

I'm running the same from speedmotoco. Great service from that shop.

I don't like the Tsubaki master link, though. The end plate does not simply insert over the pins, you have the press the end plate on. Not a big deal except for when you go to remove the master link I needed to press the pins out (which makes it a pain).

[green_bread]

Originally Posted by salcuta88

Why would you put a bycicle chain on a motorcycle? It clearly shows a bycicle with a small engine on it.

Because 520 chains are overkill for a 250 and the weight savings is pretty substantial when talking about rotating mass. When racing, you go for every bit of weight savings you can.

[red26]

And to think the 600 & 1000cc also use 520 chain despite their power and weight

[salcuta88]

Originally Posted by green_bread

Because 520 chains are overkill for a 250 and the weight savings is pretty substantial when talking about rotating mass. When racing, you go for every bit of weight savings you can.

Well, it broke!

[green_bread]

Originally Posted by salcuta88

Well, it broke!

Because it was a cheap chain. A good quality/well maintained 415 chain should hold up to anything these little bikes can throw at them.

[fred smoot]

usually, you get what you pay for!