Gold chains - Naff or bling?

[SteveG]

Need a new chain for my bike build. Thinking of getting a gold chain - what do you think - are they naff or bling?

 

[HerrDeacon]

First had to look up the meaning of naff I'm thinking of getting one to go on my MB5 when the current chain goes. It'll fit in with look of the bike. I could care less if anyone else thinks they are stupid.

 

[Kanticoy]

I put one on my 400f back when. Give it a few hundred miles and it will be nasty and grimy and you won't be able to tell anyway.

 

[t71ford]

I love colored chains. I'd say do it, and to he'll with anybody thinks!

 

[Tim]

I have a nickle plated (chrome?) MKV 520 X-ring chain on my XS650 and like it. If gold matches the accents of your bike then go for it - life's too short.

 

[Hoofhearted]

Whats the quality of a gold chain vs the a non gold chain? Or is quality a non issue anymore?

 

[Mr.E]

I've got a red x-ring chain on my cb750. Kinda fits with the color scheme of the bike and it was the same price as non colored. Win win to me. My next bike will be black and silver, so I see a silver chain in the future for it.

 

[Big R]

Since there are different manufacturers making different colored chains, do a search for reviews from people that have used what you had in mind. I remember reading about one particular manufacturer on another forum whose chains were only lasting 2000 miles or so. If it was 1 or 2 people abusing their chains I could understand, but this was probably a dozen or so with the same problem.

 

[Kanticoy]

I run a machinery chain from tractor supply on Gretta. It was $20.

 

[Hoofhearted]

On my sidecar I run an RK premium 1/2" (not sure what that is in new terms) primary chain. Its the best I can buy. $66 for a strand that isn't quite long enough for two lengths. But it lasts and lasts. Its survived the dirt of El Mirage and the salt of Bonneville for two years. I run a NAPA 5/8" (530? Same as a Triumph rear chain). Its cheap. $20 for a strand that will make two lengths. But its industrial chain and not designed to handle 60 hp. More like 2 hp. at a constant 1700 rpm. Its a good chain but It will last about 6 runs at El Mirage and 4 runs at Bonneville and its done. Stretched and the side plates tend to loosen. But at $10 a chain I can afford to use it, abuse it and throw it away before it breaks.

P.S. RK chain is gold colored.

 

[VonYinzer]

Whats the quality of a gold chain vs the a non gold chain? Or is quality a non issue anymore?

This ^^^^^^^^^^"

 

[clem]

I used to run gold chains on my motocross bikes. I think they were DID with renthal sprockets. Didn't Run them for the color, they were supposed to be better quality. I guess it' the same on street bikes, change all sprockets when changing your chain. Mixing new with old adds for premature wear.

 

[Mr.E]

EK is the chain brand I've been using for the last 8 or so years. I get them from sprocketcenter.com if fact, that's the only place I've gotten chains from in a long ass time. I did use a DID before then, and it was great. In fact, it outlasted my bike.... but that was my fault.

 

[SteveG]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've ordered a gold DID x-ring chain. I felt that having spent so much time, effort and money on the bike, a gold chain wouldn't look out of place like gilding a turd.