Chain manufacturers began to include this feature in 1971 after the application was invented by joseph montano while working for whitney chain of hartford connecticut.
What does an o ring chain look like.
The o rings actually somewhat self lubricating rubber inserts that fit in between the outside link plates and inside roller link plates seal in lubrication and seal out.
They look like this.
You can use either the o ring chain or not o ring chain for our bike is around 65 at my local shop you need to change your sprockets as well as the chain they must ware together or the chain will ware out much quicker.
As upon pressing these type of rings come in contact with lesser surface area and hence less drag coefficient is generated with same efficient sealing property as o ring chains provide.
First the o ring chain consists of o shaped rubber fittings o rings placed in between each link of the chain.
The x ring type chains are more modern chains with x shaped rubber ring placed in between the chain plates to seal the grease filled inside the chain components.
Like the standard o ring chains it is also used in high performance motorcycles.
The o ring chain is named for the rubber o rings built into the space between the outside link plate and the inside roller link plates.
These fittings are filled with a manufacturer installed lubricating grease that forms a protective barrier over the entire chain.
The o ring chain operates the same as a roller chain except for in a couple of very significant areas.
Upon first glance if you had to choose one solely based on visual durability the o ring chain fits the bill.
The o ring chain looks beefier and feels quite a bit heavier too.