WORKSHOP

Unsealed This is your cheapest chain option. There is no lubricant sealed inside the chain rollers so this kind of chain needs frequent lubrication and adjustment – especially in dusty or wet riding conditions. Because road dirt and water can get inside the chain rollers, wear is quite high. A positive of this type of chain, apart from price, is there are no sealing rubbers to sap engine power. Unsealed chains are only recommended for smaller capacity, low power applications.

O-ring O-ring chains have small rubber O-ring seals that sit squashed between the pin link and the roller link plates, forming a barrier that holds the lubricant / grease inside of the rollers. These seals also prevent contaminants( like dirt particles) from entering the inside of the chain linkages and causing wear. The downside to a sealed chain is that the O-rings create friction which absorb horsepower. The link plates( that hold the O-rings) are under compression, so more force is needed to articulate the chain – therefore, the transmitted power is decreased. When the lubricant between the O-ring and the link plate disappears, the O-ring will start to wear. O-ring seals are usually made from a common synthetic rubber called acrylonitrile-butadiene, chosen because of its oil, fuel, chemical heat and abrasion-resistant properties.

X-ring / Z-ring X-ring and Z-ring chains use an O-ring type construction that has an X-shaped( or Z-shaped) cross-section. Its seals are flat-sided, so they have a greater contact patch with the sideplates. The X-ring’ s four contact points create a very tight seal, keeping lubrication in and dirt out. Using this design, Z / X-ring type seals have a lot less friction than O-ring seals because they do not have to be pressed as tight to keep the lube in and dirt out. This means the X-ring seals should last longer and retain lubrication within the chain for longer.

42 KIWI RIDER