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[odedmaz]

Zero raised the price on the chain kit, now $325 and apparently does not include the lower chain guide. http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=192 You can get a chain from KTM and a custom rear from Sprocket Specialists for way less than $200 total and easy to order, specs in this thread. Getting the custom front takes some doing. Also be aware that you'll need a dealer to recalibrate your odometer and speedometer if that matters to you.

Exactly my reasons for not purchasing the Zero Kit.

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[acacia1731]

Zero raised the price on the chain kit, now $325 and apparently does not include the lower chain guide. You can get a chain from KTM and a custom rear from Sprocket Specialists for way less than $200 total and easy to order.

That explains it then - I had been thinking the kit was closer to $200 and included everything needed.  Thanks Keith, Oded, and Ray for leading the charge on this...

[rayivers]

Just for general info - the latest price on the 65T Zero rear sprocket (p/n 30-05090) was $154.65, the chain guide aluminum cage (20-05401) was $14.95, the rubber guide inner liner (20-05400) was $16.82, and the swingarm crosstube protector (30-04452) was $3.77, giving a total of $190.19 for a partial chain kit minus front sprocket & chain (all prices subject to change, of course).  The 18-page chain kit installation instructions (88-06525) are free, I believe.

Ray

[odedmaz]

If I recall, someone from Zero explained that the price increase was because of a better chain

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[odedmaz]

By the way, what is a swingarm crosstube protector?

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[rayivers]

Oded - the crosstube protector is a wide loop w/screw flanges, made from the same material as the chain guide liner.  It fits around the LH side of the SA crosstube & keeps the chain from chewing it up.  It's especially critical when using smaller sprockets, either front or rear.

Ray

[Keith]

I believe the better chain is now a DID 520 X-ring. My chain kit from April 2016 had a DID 520 NZ non-o-ring chain. I replaced it immediately because my off road use requires o-ring for sure. Anyway, you can get a DID X-ring for a great price from any KTM parts dealer, stock part for KTM 500EXC. It isn't gold so if you want fancy looks it will cost you $20 more for the DID VT2 aftermarket chain. I don't know if the new Zero chain is gold or not, doesn't look like it in the picture.

[odedmaz]

Oded - the crosstube protector is a wide loop w/screw flanges, made from the same material as the chain guide liner.  It fits around the LH side of the SA crosstube & keeps the chain from chewing it up.  It's especially critical when using smaller sprockets, either front or rear.

Ray

oh no... I paid 120 us$ for the stupid Zero chain guard (official price from my Zero local dealer). I thought I was finished with putting together the chain kit.
how necessary is the crosstube protector?
is there an official p/n# for this part?

Keith, I purchased the standard DID 520 chain because it suppose to be the lightest and narrowest (perhaps even less draggy). hope it will survive my off road riding.

[rayivers]

how necessary is the crosstube protector?  is there an official p/n# for this part?

The swingarm crosstube protector is Zero p/n 30-04452 - Zero calls it an 'MX CHAIN BUFFER' - but there are things you could do yourself that might work even better, like wrapping the crosstube in the chain area with multiple layers of thick rubber / HDPE / nylon tape, or heating a long 30mm wide x 2mm-thick strip of nylon or HDPE & then bending it around the crosstube & running a bolt/washers thru holes in the ends, or installing several wide heavy-duty tie-wraps around the crosstube side-by-side, etc.  My Zero protector fit very poorly, so I had to modify it (I cut off the screw flanges & used double-stick tape to hold it in position, then used HD tie-wraps around it to secure it).

When I first got my 'MX' bike it had the chain kit installed without the protector/buffer, and I was told it had been ridden that way once for about 4-5 hours; the chain had completely scraped through the SA powder coat top & bottom, then it dug into the aluminum maybe .5mm or so.

Ray

[odedmaz]

Thanks Ray. Will do one of your suggested methods. Creative as always.

Waiting for the belt to snap, in order to replace it with the chain. That's a stubborn belt 😀

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[rayivers]

10T sprocket wear, 642 mi. (based on the OEM 12T lasting 3K+ miles, I may get 2K out of this one - we'll see)

[odedmaz]

My mechanic installed the chain kit (11/65). No problems during the installation.

I knew it before so I can't complain, but the bike is so noisy.
ÓI need to let it break in, and perhaps I'll get used to it, but The cool stealthy ride of the bike is partially gone.

I am using a standard 520 (109 links) DID chain. Perhaps I'll try an o-ring chain if it's less noisy.

As far as torque, can't say I notice a big difference (should be about 10% increase from stock belt setup), perhaps a little increase in torque. Will test ride it off road this weekend.



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[StraydogEOMFD]

Mine has got quieter with more riding.  I ride with an FX who has a belt still and it's not that much noisier, if at all.  But I know not everyone who rides a Zero comes from a noisey ass gas bike so maybe I'm more desensitized than most?

[Keith]

Standard and O-ring chains are about equally noisy, I've found. I never rode my FX with a belt so I didn't get spoiled.

[odedmaz]

Already noticed, I am starting to get used to it. Tensioning the chain helped a bit.
As mentioned, Rode the belt equipped FX for a long time, so the change is more pronounce.

For now I'll stay with the standard DID chain.

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