Hey guys just wondering if you all go with X or O-ring chains on your shovels or just stick with standard.

BMIKARTS.COM has a Diamond 530 (standard) for $40.
X-ring O-ring etc chains are >$200 more wherever I look online.
$220 at J&P for a Diamond 530 XDL 102-link. I like to buy chains long and the 110 is $240.

Got a dose of sticker shock; it's been quite awhile since I bought a drive chain.

So I need a nudge either way, standard or expensive. I don't mind spending the money but it's a big difference. This would be my first O/X/etc chain are they really super-duper awesome? Is there more to it than the O-ring chains being (basically) maintenance-free?

Thanks for any thoughts you can share ...
-Rich

if your bike still has the original chain oiler hooked up and running, I'd go with a non oring/xring chain. They all seem to last 15 to 30 k miles. Save the coin, just skip wearing a white t-shirt on the bike

The fancy ones still need cleaning and oiling regularly.

I guess it was in the mid 1980's that I started using o-ring chains on my Shovel bikes. I liked them so much as I could run one after the first installation and adjustment, and only need to adjust it at about 2k to 3k miles. And then it only needed a slight bump at the axle adjuster. I could get near 40k, miles out of them before they were a bit loose in the rollers. What I also saw was less sprocket wear as the chain doesn't stretch like a standard chain does.
You don't need a big dollar chain as I assume you're not making big horsepower. So about a $200 chain would do the job.

As far as the chain oiler, I just shut it off or plug it.

If you don't ride the bike all that much, a standard chain would probably be fine for you.

ADDED:
DID has a lower dollar o-ring chain. Makes the idea of switching a little more attractive. DID makes good products.

https://www.partsgiant.com/p349698-d...s-o-ring-chain

Would the o ring or x chain be wider in this dimension than the standard chain aiding in rubbing the inner primary. I have the O ring chain but an wondering what the dimension of the standard chain is. Can someone give me a number?

Thanks you guys -

It's a stock 80" with an H cam, supposedly 7.5:1 I guess it turns 65-70HP tops

Once I get a few things tweaked I'll ride the bike every day ~200 miles/wk.
re: sprocket wear eventually I'll drop to a 49T; I put in a 24T trans sprocket last month; hopefully with a 49T I'll feel and hear some difference on the hwy.

You guys made a strong case for either type. I'll get the standard chain for $32 and keep searching for an X/O chain in the $150-$200 range.

Thanks again I really appreciate the replies. And thanks for the link that looks like a winner to me !

A 24T front and an o-ring chain could cause fitment issues behind the primary

Thought I would try one of these, grabbed a primary chain while I was at it. Both are Diamond made chains. Got the master links there too.

https://www.bmikarts.com/530-Diamond...be_p_5141.html

https://www.bmikarts.com/428-Diamond...in_p_5342.html

Nice Ken thanks I missed that one somehow ... XDL ... not O or X-ring but self-lubing supposedly. Great price 106-link I think I'll grab one too

from the interweb......on a 530 non o-ring chain plate height = 15.1mm......pin length max = 22.5mm and measuring mine its spot on..........i use the rear chain oiler because on my flh with bags and that big chain guard its difficult to get at the chain with a can of chain oil............. i get about 5000 - 6000 miles out of a chain then it needs replacing

i swapped the 51 rear sprocket for a 49 and it makes a big difference , i didnt wait for the rear to wear out .....i also have the 24 up front