525 Or Not 525!! (chain Topic)

Where did you buy it from chap?

 

looks like an xlink. is 525h and 525 the same pin diameter?

 

when you say pitch, what does that mean?

 

525 HV2 is a DID chain I believe.

It was the chain I recently removed from my 1098R anyway when changing the swing arm.

Swing Arm Change.

 

You will not get a chain link to fit a chain from a different manufacturer.

It MUST be the exactly the same make/model/pitch as the chain. Every chain manufacturer differs slightly in its manufacture of chain links.

DID have many different grades of 525 sealed chain, V, VS, VM, VX, VXG, VA, ZVMX, ZVM that I know off the top of my head. None will fit each other.

 

This might have some relevance.....

When DID upgraded the 520ZVM and 520ZVM 2 (essentially the same chain) to the 520 ZVM-X chain; DID retained the same part / reference numbers for them which unfortunately included the ZJ link.
I gather this did for a while cause an awful lot of confusion with various dealers; and apparently it applied to other DID chain sizes as well.

 

ZVM or ZVM2 links do not fit ZVMX chains. The pins did change.

I could tell you when ZVM/2 chains were discontinued ordinarily, but I dont have access to my company server at the mo. (my company were the UK DID importer) I would guess it was likely around 2010 though, so if the chain IS a Z series, it is most likely a ZVM-X - although there have been sub model variants even within the ZVM-X.
Alas the earliest chain spec sheet I have on my own PC is 2015 and not old enough. I have access to DID specs going back to the 80's at work.

It is not worth the risk on a big horsepower motorcycle to take chances with a chain breaking. You need the 100% correct link, or a new chain unless you are a gambler - I ask is it worth the risk ?

 

guess i just got lucky. i'm only after orderening and receiving 2x 525h split links of ebay for my DR. they fitted perfectly.

 

Pin diameters vary not only between manufacturers but also differing grades provided by the same manufacturer. Some of the OEM chains are quite unique in themselves with no alternative from the aftermarket supply chain. Even a single letter change or addition on the side plate can make all the difference. You can get a link from Ducati, but I wouldn’t risk the likes of eBay for instance.
I use B&C for supply of my chains and rarely have we got a link for OEM.

 

I thought ‘gauge’ or width is what’s meant. Pitch is pin to pin I think.

 

yip, i was out my depth there, (its always the simple things, or so you would think.) Sev gave a good brake down of the numbers.

 

You are on the nose Nelly.
I work for what was the DID UK importer (we bring in RK instead now) and we supplied B&C with all their DID chain. We carry (carried in the case of DID) thousands of pieces of chain and links. No link I was ever aware of ever interchanged with a different grade. We did try on occasion to help peeps out and try links in older chains that had been maybe sitting in shops somewhere, but it was never achieved.

The OEM stuff though was always a nightmare - even we could not get hold of some of it and had even less chance of getting the joining links. DID would not even release the specs for that stuff. It was OE part number only.

Generally speaking anything OEM fit consumable-wise is not the best available. Its all made to a spec and a price.
Aftermarket consumables, you decide the spec and the price is what it is, hence it is often better spec'd

 

£10 for both inc delivery.
whats the chances of that.

 

Good decision as said, despite basic dimensions, many parameters aren't controlled and so variations in link plate gauge and "O" and "X" ring dimensions can create many pin lengths.

 

hmm. I think that Z should be an X btw. not sure its gonna fit.