Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I need a chain for a 73-74- CR250. When looking at the choices for DID non-o-ring chains they have the regular which is listed as having tensile strength of 7250lbs or the gold which has tensile strength 8500 or so. Has anyone had or seen a standard chain break? Is the gold/extra strength worth the money?

I always pay extra for a medium-grade chain (about $50-$60 or so) rather than a lower line chain ($24-$35 or so). But, having said that, if you sprockets are in good shape, I don't think there is any way you are going to break the cheaper chain. Because of the difficulty and expense of finding engine cases for older bikes, however, I opt for a little extra safety.

By gold if you are talking about the DID ERT, that is the same chain most of the factory teams run
on their 60+ hp 450s.

You can do better than the standard DID chain. That's the original equipment chain on Honda's
current production bikes. I take it off as soon as I get the bike home and throw it away. It will
easily hold up to the abuse a vintage motocross bike can dish out but will stretch a mile in the
process. I recommend the DID NZ. It is nearly as strong as an ERT 8050 vs 8470 will not stretch
like a rubber band, and is not gold (if you want to maintain the vintage look).

Unless you use the chain to pull up stumps with a tractor, you will not break it.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R