1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

I need a chain, any ideas?

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by 7sma, Aug 24, 2015.

  1. 7sma Husqvarna
    C Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1982 cr250
    Time to replace the chain on my '82 CR250. I know enough to stick with an O-ring style and there's tons of good manufactures out there, I'm just having trouble with the fitment. Most sites I've been on (so called cycle "superstores") don't show my year make and model.
    1.) does anyone know the specs, measurements, pitch etc for the links?
    2.) any recommendation of a site someone has worked with successfully
    3.) any suggestions of a brand that offers good value, I want to buy quality but like everyone else, I'm on a budget!

    Thanks!
  2. cruisetopdown Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    VA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1982 and 1983 Husqvarna 250 XC's
    I'm using a 520 118 links Renthal o-ring chain.....
    w
    7sma likes this.
  3. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    tsubaki omega oring, have always done me well. 120 links, cut to fit..the service manual also shows what fits your bike.

    you can also type CHAIN into the search bar and search the swedish section for this same info. we have discussed a few times
    7sma likes this.
  4. ct cr430 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Connecticut , litchfield county
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1981 cr 430
    Other Motorcycles:
    2007 honda crf450
    Did x-ring . Have it on both of my bikes . 75 hrs on my crf450r and on my 81 cr430 . Less drag than o ring and last a long time with a bit of maintenance .
    7sma likes this.
  5. GaryM Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1981 430cr second 430 CR 500cr
    Other Motorcycles:
    1981 490 Maico
    Choose X ring for sure. Second the choice. Still get the protection of a O ring without the drag.
    7sma likes this.
  6. cruisetopdown Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    VA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1982 and 1983 Husqvarna 250 XC's
    As slow as I ride, drag is the least of my worries.... LOL!!
    w
  7. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    modern oring chains have a miniscule amount of drag...ive been told by many its just about a myth
  8. Alfie Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Pembrokeshire
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    76 360 WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    Honda XR600r
    If you need to pressure wash your chain after mud get one without o rings water gets inside and stays there
    7sma likes this.
  9. fran...k. Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    eastern ct
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    420ae 98wr125 2004wr250 others
    Other Motorcycles:
    electric freeride 1993 yam gts
    It is commonly called a 520 chain. the length between pivot point is 5 eithths of an inch and the width where the sprocket teeth go is 2 eighths of an inch.

    Rocky mountain atv/mc or bike bandit are the "on line super stores" I use.

    I generally get a 120 link package and cut as needed. I also, at least for my trail bikes spend the six or so dollars for a rivet on master link, it goes through the chain guide thing better.

    I have been using did vm x ring, (not the quad version) but it seems to be replaced by an inproved version by now. Ebay works out cheaper if you find someone that actually lists low and takes what it ends up at. At least with a little paitence.
    juicypips and 7sma like this.
  10. ajcmbrown Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Metung Victoria Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400WR 250WR 07 WR500 430AE 360AE
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 500CR Ducati Multistrada 1200S
    True Alfie, you should never pressure wash an o'ring chain. Worm soapy water and a stiff brush should be all that's needed.
    7sma likes this.
  11. grouty Auto Lover ...

    Location:
    South West UK
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    78 390WR, 78 390 AMX, 500 Humph
    Other Motorcycles:
    works 73 CCM 520, another 73 CCM520
    I use standard heavy duty DID chains on both my 78 390's as the o-ring is too wide to fit between the chain guide under the swingarm pivot. I pressure wash them happily and then (when dry) boil them the old fashioned way in chain wax. They last very well and do not attract dust as the wax is not sticky.
    I do run a DID o-ring on the old KLX twinshock though. That will last 2-3 years as it doesn't get ridden as much as the Husky's these days.
    7sma likes this.
  12. ajcmbrown Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Metung Victoria Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400WR 250WR 07 WR500 430AE 360AE
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 500CR Ducati Multistrada 1200S
    The last O'ring chain I had to replace was an original on my KTM 620, a DID X Ring with 16000 fairly hard kms and still had a fair bit of life left in it (it then went on my son's Suzuki), the only thing that chain wasn't exposed to was sand but loads of mud, water etc.

    Given the lack of maintenance that chain got other than Maxima chain wax sprayed on when dry, I just can't imagine using anything else, unless as Grouty said, they won't physically fit.
    7sma likes this.
  13. PawPaw Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2013 TC 449
    Other Motorcycles:
    Honda Crf450R + old CB750
    Take a good look at Primary Drive O-ring chains from Rocky Mountain MC. I use them and they had worked better for me than the big name units and they are at a much better price. They are also rated way above the big name chains in strength.

    Paw Paw
    7sma likes this.
  14. Chayzed Pilot Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    So Cal
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2004 TC450,1978 390CR,1983 430 Wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    A gaggle of them
    I've been using CZ chain on some of my Czech bikes. Works great.
  15. 7sma Husqvarna
    C Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1982 cr250
    I think I'm going to go with this option. Seems like a good price for what you're getting. I'll just have to remember not to pressure wash!
    Many thanks!
  16. GaryM Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1981 430cr second 430 CR 500cr
    Other Motorcycles:
    1981 490 Maico
    With a side by side comparison the X ring basically feels much less friction. It really
    feels like a normal chain. This were same make chains just O vs X. x ring master links are earlier to install
    also.

    Plus this chain is narrower - DID VT2 Narrow enduro x ring 520 chain. Bonus is this chain being
    made more narrow it does not hit the bolt head on the 80s frame that the o ring chain can hit.
    ajcmbrown likes this.
  17. juicypips Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    gloucestershire
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    wr 360. 2002
    Other Motorcycles:
    Gas Gas TxT 300, Yamaha wr250f
    Regina is what i use on me 360 have used renthal isis and some unbranded jobbies, get the most life from regina by a few months.
  18. ajcmbrown Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Metung Victoria Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400WR 250WR 07 WR500 430AE 360AE
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 500CR Ducati Multistrada 1200S
    It is always a good idea to avoid pressure washing not only chains, but also wheel bearings, steering head bearings and swing arm linkages, the seals are not designed to prevent high pressure.
    Tony.
    justintendo likes this.
  19. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    the pressure washer stays away from bikes. i find a long handled automotive "wheel brush" gets almost the whole bike clean along with a bucket of soapy water.
    ajcmbrown likes this.