I’m over 15,000 miles and apart from slackening the chain off because it was far too tight off the showroom floor I’ve only adjusted it three times so far, the last time was a little premature when the rear tyre was replaced at around 12,000 miles. Haven’t lost any O rings yet.
I’ve pitting on the chain plates caused by riding on salted roads in winter by but I can’t see it needing replacement anytime soon. It’s only been cleaned once which was to get rid of the factory grease.
EP80/90 gear oil is my preferred choice of lube, a light application applied whilst the chain is hot giving it a chance to wick behind the rollers and spread around the O rings and results in minimal fling next time the bike is ridden.

Correct wheel alignment and running slack is the key to chain longevity. The stock alignment marks are best ignored. The sprocket teeth should run between the inner chain plates, not touch them. Easy visual check is to use a paddock stand to get the rear wheel off the ground and spin the rear wheel backwards several times to settle the chain and then check how the chain is running around the sprocket.

 

Just reached 9000 km, still ok! Having this on board for the chain:

MOTUL MC CARE C5 CHAIN PASTE - Motul

MOTUL MC CARE C5 CHAIN PASTE Hochleistungs-Kettenfett für Straßenmotorräder und Karts. Extrem hohes Haftungsvermögen, dadurch kein Abschleudern des Ke

www.motul.com

 

Hondas always seem to come with chains that are far too tight.

 

I have slightly over 23k miles on the chainset on my '82 Honda FT500 Ascot and it is not severely worn. Don't know how long it'll ultimately go as I rarely ride that bike these days (it was, in essence replaced by my SCL500). I installed a quality chain and set of sprockets (JT) back around 2002 and I rode it regularly until last year.

Correct maintenance is the key to long life, as you surely are aware. With an O-ring chain, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the O-rings: that is the big issue. Do not apply lubrication to the chain rungs: that simply accelerates wear, especially to the countershaft sprocket. The best way to maintain the O-rings was the official Honda method written in their owner's manual: take a hand-operated oiler and put a single drop of gear lube on each O-ring once or twice per year. That's all that is needed.

I've attached a short pdf that I wrote for my FT500 Ascot group back in 2006. It gives a bit more detail. Hope this helps.

 

Correct maintenance is the key to long life, as you surely are aware. With an O-ring chain, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the O-rings: that is the big issue. Do not apply lubrication to the chain rungs: that simply accelerates wear, especially to the countershaft sprocket

A well maintained O-Ring chain will last a long, long time. How long depends on how and where you ride, but easily 15K miles. I make sure I clean the chain first, then warm it up with a short ride and apply chain wax. I stay away from oils and sticky lubes.

 

A well known member of The Chain Gang, a forum for the BMW 650 singles racked up over 85,000 miles on his original chain using just ATF fluid as a lubricant

 

Well... he's a BMW rider. Have you met anyone more OCD than a BMW rider?

I use to ride BMWs and was a member of the local BMW riders group. There was a guy with and R90 that claimed he had over 100K miles on his bike. Then, when you get to talking to him, you discover he has replaced the swing arm, forks, transmission, gauges, and the list goes on. But he still has over 100K miles on his bike

 

Probably called his bike “Trigger” 🤣🤣🤣

 

This conversation comes up frequently on the KLR650 forum and there are a lot of theories and opinions about how to care for chains. I find it best to follow the manufacturer recommended maintenance practice. The link below is for RK Excel chains and I am sure it is close to other chain manufacturers as well. I use a very light weight, non-synth oil for initial cleaning, warm the chain with a short ride, apply an o-ring approved chain wax to the inside of the chain. Wait a few minutes then another wipe down of the outer plates with a lightly oiled rag and I am good for another 500 miles.

RK Chain and Excel Rim Maintenance Information 2021 - New FAQ

FAQ for RK Chain and Excel Rim Maintenance information. Technical information for RK Chains and Excel Rims. FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

rkexcelamerica.com

 

I change it with sprockets at 20000km & I will change it again now at 40000km .

 

Update: Currently just a trip around the block shy of 26,500kms, (16,550miles) chain last adjusted 7,700kms (4815miles) ago when the rear tyre was replaced and certainly not in need of any further adjustment at the moment.
Chain has only been cleaned twice with a rag, once to get the factory grease off and again this morning for the photoshoot 🤣 🤣 🤣