ORing vs non-oring chains

[Vintagewannabe]

So I just got my 520 conversion kit in for my 73 RD350, and was surprised that it came with a non ORing chain. I called and was told that it was for the sake of weight savings. This does make sense to me, but I would think that for a street bike you would want the oring/xring for weather and longevity.
What is the consensus on this?

[m in sc]

i usually run non o-ring chains on the older bikes. my reasoning is clearance. they usually get super close to the engine. ive seen an o-ring chain actually saw into an rd case before, it was an extreme situation and a 530.. but ive seen it. (remember the clearance from the inside of the sprocket to the motor doesn't change on a 530 to 520 conversion).

Unless you plan on commuting on it or seeing a lot of rain riding i wouldn't sweat it. 

[Vintagewannabe]

i usually run non o-ring chains on the older bikes. my reasoning is clearance. they usually get super close to the engine. ive seen an o-ring chain actually saw into an rd case before, it was an extreme situation and a 530.. but ive seen it. (remember the clearance from the inside of the sprocket to the motor doesn't change on a 530 to 520 conversion).

Unless you plan on commuting on it or seeing a lot of rain riding i wouldn't sweat it. 

The bike doesn't get commuted, but its not out of the question for it to see a small amount of rain or something like that.
I have other bikes and do good with keeping chains cleaned/lubed, and I am also a bit worried about clearance if I went to an Oring chain. John at economy said it could be done,  ut I didn't ask if I needed a specific one.

[m in sc]

The weight thing is kind of ridiculous especially since you are already changing down to a 520. the drag thing is as well, unless you are recording lap times or drag racing.

Ive gotten 35-40 k out of an o-ring chain on a modern bike. (sv). On rds, i usually get.. 10k+ depending how modified the bike is. always due to stretch, never due to rust or contamination per say.  My modern CT125 (low hp) has a factory non o-ring chain and i have 6k on it, its a 428 and still in great shape. and its seen plenty of wet roads. I mean.. its a preference. I have an o-ring chain on the KZ650 because i could fit one and will likely see way more highway conditions on that. IMHO, if you can get an 0-ring chain to fit in ok w no issues, the only (real) downside is cost, but i certainly don't consider it a necessity, unless maybe you are storing outside, then it might help a bit more. Just get a good quality chain, rk, did , etc. .   

[1976RD400C]

I went with the gold 520 O ring chain from Economy just because it looks nice on my green bike. I'm very impressed with the way it never needs adjustment.

[pdxjim]

I use these DID narrow x-ring chains on all vintage bikes. Cheap enough, a few mm slimmer than the rest, and last forever (especially on low torque 2Ts)

https://www.didchain.com/products/520ervt?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1NK4BhAwEiwAVUHPUFY90ikWYq9VmJiO7Oiu5fsjGox9JMtP8mFGWJ8Vi_5Kf9LhKGFMxxoC_P4QAvD_BwE

[Vintagewannabe]

I use these DID narrow x-ring chains on all vintage bikes. Cheap enough, a few mm slimmer than the rest, and last forever (especially on low torque 2Ts)

https://www.didchain.com/products/520ervt?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1NK4BhAwEiwAVUHPUFY90ikWYq9VmJiO7Oiu5fsjGox9JMtP8mFGWJ8Vi_5Kf9LhKGFMxxoC_P4QAvD_BwE

I honestly forgot those existed. I do like the oring chain, but the rear sprocket is aluminum, so would it really matter if the chain lasts 20,000mi if the sprockets only last half that?

[m in sc]

i mean a lot depends on environment. I'm not going to lie, mine ride/live in a relatively clean road  and dry storage environment and i typically avoid rain because, well, i just don't like riding in it. I run aluminum sprockets on a few bikes, never had wear issues. And its true, the o-ring chains will typically last longer if they are good quality ones as mentioned. I've had crappy versions of them get out of spec really quickly as well.

the point being, quality good chains are worth it, will last longer, o-ring or not. will the o ring chains outlast an = quality non o ring, probably. Id run nothing other than a top quality o-ring chain on my CB1100, but it can and does see inclement weather and a lot more miles than the rds do. But.. how many miles, on dusty roads, rain riding, etc, do you realistically plan on putting on one of these? even o-ring chains will get crusty from sitting and then wear from use. Hence why i think (on these) its a preference. 

[1976RD400C]

Question of the day is do O ring chains rob a little of the power you are trying to put down?

[RDnuTZ]

Question of the day is do O ring chains rob a little of the power you are trying to put down?

Great question! Another related question I have is does the 520 conversion rob power vs. 428?

[m in sc]

again, not enough to notice. on the lightweight.. I looked into going 428 but no bueno,  wouldn't hold up.

[Hawaii-Mike]

Most adult Americans have a bit of extra weight. Save money, cut down on the Big Macs instead of buying lighter parts.

[Brad-Man]

Most adult Americans have a bit of extra weight. Save money, cut down on the Big Macs instead of buying lighter parts.

Personally, I'm looking forward to putting on an olive drab outfit and looking like an olive riding  a pimento on my '75 RD350...

[Vintagewannabe]

On the note of cutting weight off myself, there isn't really any fat to cut, so thats fruitless.

I ended up just doing a nice DID ERT3 non oring chain.

The bike isn't going to be ridden in the rain if I can avoid it. I have crusty ones for that. And I'm not commuting on it.

[busa1300]

Question of the day is do O ring chains rob a little of the power you are trying to put down?

If you're looking to pick up HP, non o-ring is free HP. There is a notable difference when spinning a tire when a bike is on the stand from o-ring to non o-ring. To some degree it's the same as drum brake compared to discs...
Discs obviously work better, but do absorb power unlike a drum. Some of the modern trans oils, may say 80 weight but flows like water...parasitic drag does add up. And with small displacement two strokes, every little bit help.