Chain Question? S1000XR

[Zar_S1000XR]

Ok, so chain question since I don't see any post on here about it.

2020 S1000XR 14k miles

So these chains are suppose to be "maintenance free" Correct?
How do I go about surface rust on it if it's maint free?
and these pins suppose to be all straight? (Picture 2) Is this chain about done?

[bobdave]

despite them being apparently maintenance free I noticed mine was starting to show signs of rust on the outer sides so I gave it a damn good clean and now regularly clean and lube it to avoid it getting rusty. I guess it would be maintenance free if you never ride it in adverse conditions but I didn't buy a bike to have it sat in the garage !

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Zar_S1000XR

Ok, so chain question since I don't see any post on here about it.

2020 S1000XR 14k miles

So these chains are suppose to be "maintenance free" Correct?

Maintenace free they ain't.

Smithy.

[Quent]

That doesn't look like the endurance chain, which is low maintenance, that looks like a standard chain!! Which most definitely requires looking after.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Quent

That doesn't look like the endurance chain, which is low maintenance, that looks like a standard chain!! Which most definitely requires looking after.

That's what I thought too, sideplate rust okay, but the rollers shouldn't be able to rust, not like that in the picture. Besides chain looks like it's got a kink in it too. The pins not being straight is fine, probably just how they were riveted.

[Mareng1]

Originally Posted by Antares

That's what I thought too, sideplate rust okay, but the rollers shouldn't be able to rust, not like that in the picture. Besides chain looks like it's got a kink in it too. The pins not being straight is fine, probably just how they were riveted.

The chain links are rivetted en-mass so the anvil marks should be aligned.  That pin looks to have relaxed.  Also (unless it is an optical wotsit) at least one of the link outer plates doesn't look to be parallel.  A check with a micrometer/vernier would confirm.   

[Zar_S1000XR]

Originally Posted by Quent

That doesn't look like the endurance chain, which is low maintenance, that looks like a standard chain!! Which most definitely requires looking after.

You're right it might not be endurance chain. It did sit in garage for a week and this happened, lots of moisture in the air. I hate putting lots of chain wax on it, cause them it attracts dirt. I guess I'll have to clean it well and lightly lube it very often.

[Zar_S1000XR]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

The chain links are rivetted en-mass so the anvil marks should be aligned.  That pin looks to have relaxed.  Also (unless it is an optical wotsit) at least one of the link outer plates doesn't look to be parallel.  A check with a micrometer/vernier would confirm.   

Chain I can clean it and than relube it, I wasn't sure if that was endurance chain either, I thought they all were, but I guess not. The rivets are my concern, I read that the 'anvil' marks have to be all the same, so if mine are not, than possible my chain is getting looser and it's time to replace.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Zar_S1000XR

Chain I can clean it and than relube it, I wasn't sure if that was endurance chain either, I thought they all were, but I guess not. The rivets are my concern, I read that the 'anvil' marks have to be all the same, so if mine are not, than possible my chain is getting looser and it's time to replace.

Not convinced about the rivets, is it original chain or has it been replaced since? Either way if not for them, I'd look at a replacement just because of the kinks.

Recommendations:

Tsubaki Sigma XRG
DID ZVMX

ZVMX is a fair bit cheaper and more cheerful, the Tsubaki last absolute ages.

[bazzer]

To be fair at 14K miles I would be happy with its life and bang a new one on :-)