pglaves
#13338
I am not sure BMW thought so. Or maybe they have commissioned something custom to make it suitable.
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BMW Develops a Zero Maintenance Chain
- Thread starter Anyname
- Start date
I am not sure BMW thought so. Or maybe they have commissioned something custom to make it suitable.
exgman
Active member
BMW Press Release description of the new chain:
"Munich. For more than 90 years, the maintenance-free, environmentally friendly and comfortable shaft drive has been one of BMW Motorrad's immovable technical cornerstones. With the M Endurance chain, BMW Motorrad now offers a maintenance-free chain with comparable characteristics for the first time.
Like previous X-ring chains, the M Endurance chain has a resident permanent lubricant filling between the rollers and pins, enclosed by X-rings. What is completely new, however, is that the previously necessary additional lubricant addition for the rollers and thus the familiar "chain lubrication" is no longer necessary, nor is any re-tensioning required from time to time due to the usual wear.
This enormous gain in comfort was made possible by using a new coating material for the rollers: tetrahedrally amorphous carbon (ta-C), also known as industrial diamond. This coating is characterized by extreme hardness and resistance and in this respect it is placed between the well-known DLC coating (Diamond Like Carbon) and pure diamond. In contrast to the metal surfaces used so far, the coating with the ta-C industrial diamond does not wear off. At the same time, this type of coating also offers a drastically reduced friction coefficient.
Thanks to excellent dry lubrication properties and the elimination of wear, the tetrahedral amorphous carbon coated rollers of the M Endurance chain offer maintenance comfort equivalent to that of a shaft drive motorcycle. This includes all the cleaning work that is unavoidable with a conventional chain due to splashed lubricant. Accordingly, the M Endurance chain also offers maximum environmental friendliness."
Regina drawing of chain shown in the press release:
"Munich. For more than 90 years, the maintenance-free, environmentally friendly and comfortable shaft drive has been one of BMW Motorrad's immovable technical cornerstones. With the M Endurance chain, BMW Motorrad now offers a maintenance-free chain with comparable characteristics for the first time.
Like previous X-ring chains, the M Endurance chain has a resident permanent lubricant filling between the rollers and pins, enclosed by X-rings. What is completely new, however, is that the previously necessary additional lubricant addition for the rollers and thus the familiar "chain lubrication" is no longer necessary, nor is any re-tensioning required from time to time due to the usual wear.
This enormous gain in comfort was made possible by using a new coating material for the rollers: tetrahedrally amorphous carbon (ta-C), also known as industrial diamond. This coating is characterized by extreme hardness and resistance and in this respect it is placed between the well-known DLC coating (Diamond Like Carbon) and pure diamond. In contrast to the metal surfaces used so far, the coating with the ta-C industrial diamond does not wear off. At the same time, this type of coating also offers a drastically reduced friction coefficient.
Thanks to excellent dry lubrication properties and the elimination of wear, the tetrahedral amorphous carbon coated rollers of the M Endurance chain offer maintenance comfort equivalent to that of a shaft drive motorcycle. This includes all the cleaning work that is unavoidable with a conventional chain due to splashed lubricant. Accordingly, the M Endurance chain also offers maximum environmental friendliness."
Regina drawing of chain shown in the press release:
Too many failing final drives, failed gas tank fuel strips, leaking fuel flanges, etc., to believe all of the BMW sales hype you read in new product press release brochures. You can't always believe what you read when the writer is trying to lighten your wallet.
But then, I actually hope that the new chain works well. I hope that the posters who own a chain driven bike will buy the new chain in order to give it a test. Hopefully, those who do will post a review and tell us the cost, how long it lasted, the maintenance it required, if any, and whether the package indicates the chain need not be maintained.
E.
Last edited:
weschmann
Kawa Afterthought
I did 62000 miles on my F700. Went through 2 and was just starting in third when I got tired of the bike and wanted something new. Didn't mind maintaining the chain with the exception when in a long tour, my buddies were in haveing a beer while I was still out oiling the chain. So yes a maintenance free chain is just the thing, and I would certainly go with chain drive over final drive any day of the week, as long as I could get a Horizontally opposed engine too. Love the ergos and ease of picking up my urban R NineT so wouldn't want to go back to a v twin
drive shaft instead or belt drive
I have had bikes with belt drive and shaft drive not counting the present BMW. The BMW drive shaft needs service lots more than the unit on my goldwings did. They required a fluid change every 100,000 miles and I never had one of those fail or need anything else. Drive belts were good for a 100,000 miles as well. I would like for BMW to improve their drive shaft so service intervals were more like the Honda. Other than much shorter servicing intervals there does not see to be lots of things they can improve on.
I have had bikes with belt drive and shaft drive not counting the present BMW. The BMW drive shaft needs service lots more than the unit on my goldwings did. They required a fluid change every 100,000 miles and I never had one of those fail or need anything else. Drive belts were good for a 100,000 miles as well. I would like for BMW to improve their drive shaft so service intervals were more like the Honda. Other than much shorter servicing intervals there does not see to be lots of things they can improve on.
I don't mind servicing the final drive. 10 mins or less depending on how long you let it drain. Good piece of mind. As to the the chain. I am about due for a new chain on the XR. It is more of a local bike. I tour on the RT. So chain maintenance doesn't interrupt anything. Now if they could come up with a chain that wouldn't stretch I will go all in.
RadioFlyer
Right2Repair
https://www.mromagazine.com/features/the-myth-of-chain-stretch/
Chains do not stretch, they wear.
Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk
Chains do not stretch, they wear.
Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk
gregfeeler
Dances With Sheep
The article says they "elongate". I submit that is a synonym for "stretch". Both mean the chain gets longer.
lkchris
Active member
No, it's just a formulation. Available several places, including BMW dealers.
Kind of like specifying JASO xx for wet clutch motor oil.
RadioFlyer
Right2Repair
The article says they "elongate". I submit that is a synonym for "stretch". Both mean the chain gets longer.
The difference is the mechanism at work.
Stretch refers to getting longer under tension and the material in question undergoes distortion. This is not the mechanism by which chains get longer.
Elongate simply means getting longer which is what happens to chains but it happens due to wear.
Modern x-ring, o-rings chains etc keep their length until the seals fail and then the chain starts wearing faster and requires regular adjustment. Once such a chain starts requiring adjustment it is a sign that it should be replaced soon.
Those of us from the pre-o-ring era tend to over lubricate our chains. The primary benefit of lubricating an o-ring chain is that it extends the life of the o-rings and not so much that the chain lube lube is preventing wear.
Oh great, now the discussion turns to semantics...
RadioFlyer
Right2Repair
pglaves
#13338
Here is the dictionary definition of the word "stretch" as it applies to the elongation of an object:
"(of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking."
There is an additional definition related to the body and physical exercise, and another additional definition related to an expanse of land. Neither seem applicable to a motorcycle chain.
See: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=define+"stretch"
"(of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking."
There is an additional definition related to the body and physical exercise, and another additional definition related to an expanse of land. Neither seem applicable to a motorcycle chain.
See: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=define+"stretch"
pglaves
#13338
Sounds amazingly goofy to ask if a person is concerned with “chain elongation” on their motorcycle.
OM
I prefer the term chain wear. And of course sprocket wear.
r0ckrat
Active member
Just resting.
