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It's time to change my chain and sprockets, iv'e been talking about it enough. I appreciate there must be hundreds of threads about chains and sprockets and believe me iv'e been trawling through the search function but please bear with me.
I have decided to go -1 on the front rather than +3 on the back
So i plan a 15t 525 Renthal front
a 41 supersprox rear
but the chain is what i'm wondering about i want a decent chain and have found you can get a D.I.D 525 VXGB - 106 Gold which is being sold as an upgrade but you can also get a D.I.D 525 ZVMX -106 Gold which from the same company which claim it to be an extreme upgrade.
The VXGB =£73.90
The ZVMX =£106.90
The difference of £33 would pay for the chain tool to replace the chain myself, Has anyone had experiance with either of this two chains and is the extra upgrade one worth the extra. I don't rack up huge milage and i don't tend to ride like i'm riding the TT but i do like a good "wind" on now and again
I wonder about other chain brands, like EK who claim to be better than most but is that just sale patter or is there a particular brand that are better than others.
Sorry, starting to waffle on a bit now.

D.I.D are good chains as are EK. I personally wouldn't get the upgrade as £33 is a large percentage of the cost of the cheaper chain and I doubt you'll get the same back in extra mileage from the upgrade.

If you are buying Renthal sprockets it's worth talking to them about their chain recommendations. They will only supply decent stuff.

Not sure how much a renthal from sprocket would be, and when hidden behind a cover it obviously wont be seen.
I bought my front 15 tooth steel sprocket off MCM for £15.00, he has assured me he will only charge £1.00 delivery... Its a thought. I am not sure what deal he could do on a full set up, he does sell renthal. also i have the 15-41 and i am pleased with the falco.

01777871700 if you want to ring

A rear sprocket from Renthal should cost around £30, the front would be around half of that. A decent chain of the right length about £75. So £120 for the lot.

A C&S set off ebay can be had for as little as £80 but, obviously, you'd be taking your chances on the quality. Having said that if it's branded stuff then you're pretty much on to a winner. Some will even let you change the sprocket sizes for a small fee.

Just a thought - what material is the Renthal front sprocket made of? If it's steel, then no problem. If it's aluminium (even fancy anodised aluminium), I really wouldn't bother. The weight saving will be insignificant, but it will wear out MUCH quicker.

Rear aluminium sprockets are a different box of frogs, but personally for road use I'd go for steel sprockets Front and Rear. The only real alternatives at the rear are SuperSprox, which are a hybrid; aluminium carrier, with steel teeth. Bit like front discs, if you follow my reasoning.

My Renthal front sprocket (like the Talon one I had previously) is a steel item.

I have a steel rear sprocket on my OZ rims but an ally one on my BST wheels as I couldn't even find a steel one that fitted their carrier and the supersprox one was on something like 3 months delivery at the time I wanted one.
I'd always go for a steel front sprocket but as Mango said, the rear is not such a concern.

Thanks for the replys guy's. That confirms what i was thinking about the VXGB chain, thats the one i'll go for.
So far
Prices include postage, i'm just getting it all from ebay as that seems the easiest way to get prices etc
D.I.D VXGB -106 gold and black £73.90
Renthal 15t front £16.42
Supersprox 41 rear £51.49
= £148.82 + chain tool £32.95 so all in £181.77
Looking at demon tweeks web site the same chain tool (DID)comes in at
£180 ouch the one on ebay is obviously a rep but for a tool that will only get used now and again it'll do me

Yes as D-rider said renthal front is a steel item. Thats all parts now ordered just a waiting game now. Hopefully arrive before christmas then i'll be able to fit them in my holidays. I'm so impatient when it comes to waiting on the post. good feeling though knowing you have some goodies on the way

Shetland Woody,

If you haven't already ordered, drop Tash on here a PM. He has his own parts shop and is a huge aprilia fan. Is shop is Extreme Performance www.x-p-s.co.uk . His deals are very good and he'll advise of the best stuff. I got a Renthal chain and sprockets for my Mille - been adjusted once after settling in and never been touched since in 4.5k miles, 18 months and 5 trackdays. Looks like new too.

Hope it helps

Paul.

Myself, and a few others here, also use a scottoiler....

Yes it is around 60 quid But they do extend the life of a chain and sprockets - and reduce time spent adjusting the chain


Just something to consider

Thanks for the link Paul, unfortunatly i have allready ordered. Pity as it's nice to keep things connected to this site through recomendations and the like if you know what i mean Definatly keep him in mind for other stuff though

Aladinsaneuk thats a good point i'll look into that. I have a AFAM blue chain on my Hornet and i was using Wurth dry lube because it keeps it nice and clean but give's good lube properties. Does the scott oiler keep mess to a minimum?
also the company i ordered the chain from emailed me today about the qauntity of links i require as there add stated 106 for the falco but they have since asked if i require a 108 link chain as other adds state thats what the falco require's. Is it 106 links i need and if so will it still be 106 links with the 15t sprocket, i think it is but could someone confirm that for me.
Thanks

106 links is standard, and with a 15T front sprocket you're actually reducing the overall chain length slightly, so 106 links will be fine. It's only a small difference from standard, but the overall chain run length is reduced, not increased. 106 will be fine.

Another vote for the scottoiler - they pay for themselves very quickly .... and for the name alone, shouldn't everyone "north of the border" own one of these devices?

My previous chain, was a DID ZVM, cost me a fortune with new sprockets via the Aprillia dealer that was.
It lasted 15K without a chain oiler, and rusted very quickly in winter even though it had been well treated before winter use, showing serious rust after the first run out on damp salty roads at about 7 months old.
I use Talon Gold sprockets, 15T front and standard 41T rear which is perfect gearing for my type of riding.
Front is steel and rear is aluminium, but looks great and is wearing very well after 6k miles. (still no chain oiler, I will eventually fit one !!)

the scottoiler, when set correctly, does not spray too much crud around

I would say that setting it correctly is the key - mine is set at a touch under 2 on the dial, and works fine

having said that, I have now mounted mine on the front sprocket - i prefer the aesthetics :)

some people do not like them - others swear by them - I guess it is about personal choice