Regina's "maintenance-free" "forever" chain tested

Revzilla has published an article where they inspected a BMW Regina "maintenance-free" "forever" chain that was introduced last year on the S1000RR and then sold by Regina over the counter for $360. Apparently the chain didn't live up to its original claims when used on a Yamaha 700 without lubricating or adjusting it. It only lasted for 12,000 miles before it stretched to the point of becoming dangerous. Here is a link to the article: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/bm...put-to-the-test.

So if you want a drive train that is pretty much maintenance-free stick with a shaft drive.

Or use a Pro-Oiler. Chains last an insane amount of time if continuously lubricated. I easily tripled the mileage I got from sprocket and chain once I installed one on my XX. No matter how well they make the chain, heat eventually dries out the seals and lets the grease in the bearings seep out. That’s what kills the chain. Constant lube vastly slows that process.

I used the Loobman chain oiler (great value/low cost) on both my ZRX1100/1200 Kawasaki and at 12,000 miles when checking px at a non bmw franchise they called me a liar when I stated 'this is the original chain'
Best remark was " it would be impossible to get 12k and still have a new look chain"
Oh well = lost sale and I went over to the dark side/shaft drive bmw for next 16 years!
Anyone interested check out http://www.loobman.co.uk/index.asp

Nothing is maintenance-free or will last forever, including BMW final drives, like the original ones that were "lubed for life" and didn't come with drain or filler plugs so that the drive lubricant could be replaced easily.

Got to agree (Richard230) as my R1200ST from 2005 was one of those "maintenance free" versions on service sheet.
Despite requests for 180cc of oil change it was deemed as not needed, even the 'big service'
Guess what happened at 35,000 miles ?
Advisal of excessive bearing play/noise when a safety check completed after brake fluid replaced
Despite 'self removal and refit' and Ocean bmw doing a great job - it was £400 for missing the 6 x 6,000 mile changes we now get advised to follow!
One thing I will say, after my first test ride was the 70mph 'wallow feeling' on a local downhill curved road I must have just got used to had disappeared.
Cannot believe such a small amount of play could cause a loose/worn suspension feel I never noticed until it was repaired.
At least following Ocean advice I was able to get it overhauled with all new bearings at my timing rather than major failure out on the road.

I've had regular (DID?) chains last over 20k miles with no obvious signs of wearing out then. Just have to clean and lube periodically.

Zitat von Dave H im Beitrag #6

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Got to agree (Richard230) as my R1200ST from 2005 was one of those "maintenance free" versions on service sheet.
Despite requests for 180cc of oil change it was deemed as not needed, even the 'big service'
Guess what happened at 35,000 miles ?
Advisal of excessive bearing play/noise when a safety check completed after brake fluid replaced
Despite 'self removal and refit' and Ocean bmw doing a great job - it was £400 for missing the 6 x 6,000 mile changes we now get advised to follow!
One thing I will say, after my first test ride was the 70mph 'wallow feeling' on a local downhill curved road I must have just got used to had disappeared.
Cannot believe such a small amount of play could cause a loose/worn suspension feel I never noticed until it was repaired.
At least following Ocean advice I was able to get it overhauled with all new bearings at my timing rather than major failure out on the road.

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von Dave H im Beitrag #6

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Got to agree (Richard230) as my R1200ST from 2005 was one of those "maintenance free" versions on service sheet.
Despite requests for 180cc of oil change it was deemed as not needed, even the 'big service'
Guess what happened at 35,000 miles ?
Advisal of excessive bearing play/noise when a safety check completed after brake fluid replaced
Despite 'self removal and refit' and Ocean bmw doing a great job - it was £400 for missing the 6 x 6,000 mile changes we now get advised to follow!
One thing I will say, after my first test ride was the 70mph 'wallow feeling' on a local downhill curved road I must have just got used to had disappeared.
Cannot believe such a small amount of play could cause a loose/worn suspension feel I never noticed until it was repaired.
At least following Ocean advice I was able to get it overhauled with all new bearings at my timing rather than major failure out on the road.

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OK, bring me up to speed. When were these original BMW shaft drives?

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Just checked youtub and the R1150 bevel drives still had a drain plug and filler for easy maintnenace.
My neighbours R100RS was also 'easy to service' with drain and fill holes with just a new crush washer required.
I think it was a 'brave new world' option to remove the drain plug/lifetime maintenance free with the new 1200 engines.
Was it correct? Do the maths (USA do the math!)
Assuming the 600mile/plus 6 more 6k to 36k, mileage of my failure the costs are probably comparable
£400 for my bevel drive overhaul, plus £120? if dealership removed and refitted OR if serviced, oil changed.
7 x 180 cc oil, min 30/60 mins to remove wheel, slide exhaust out, remove abs wires /top mount to torque arm, drain/refill,
New crush washer,new torque arm nut as specified, possible new abs seal, refill new oil
Not sure this would add less than the £60 to each service cost, even if part of a service so 'maybe' maintenance free is the less costly way.
Now that the RS again has a drain/refill option without dis-assembly obviously the balance of "oil is cheaper than metal" has swung in favour of 6k servcing.

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #9

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von Dave H im Beitrag #6

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Got to agree (Richard230) as my R1200ST from 2005 was one of those "maintenance free" versions on service sheet.
Despite requests for 180cc of oil change it was deemed as not needed, even the 'big service'
Guess what happened at 35,000 miles ?
Advisal of excessive bearing play/noise when a safety check completed after brake fluid replaced
Despite 'self removal and refit' and Ocean bmw doing a great job - it was £400 for missing the 6 x 6,000 mile changes we now get advised to follow!
One thing I will say, after my first test ride was the 70mph 'wallow feeling' on a local downhill curved road I must have just got used to had disappeared.
Cannot believe such a small amount of play could cause a loose/worn suspension feel I never noticed until it was repaired.
At least following Ocean advice I was able to get it overhauled with all new bearings at my timing rather than major failure out on the road.

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OK, bring me up to speed. When were these original BMW shaft drives?

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The ones that were originally claimed to be lubed for life were the first versions of the final drives that are on still on our RS (and all other boxer models) bikes. I think the big hole in the final drive and the required fancy synthetic lubricant was supposed to keep everything cool and together for the life of the bike - or maybe it was up until the end of the BMW warranty. You be the judge. It now seems to be a pretty reliable design, but it does require periodic maintenance and reasonable care, just like most every mechanical device - even chains.

I was BMW I would stop looking for new designs and products that are maintenance-free and will last for life (whatever that is). Besides, their dealers really don't appreciate "maintenance-free" designs.

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Zitat von azqkr im Beitrag #11

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So my 2016 RS final drive has the sealed maintenance free final drive? Interesting as I am planning on the 36K service shortly and was going to request they break it open and inspect/relube the splines anyway.

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[quote=Lee|

You have the same final drive as the one BMW claimed had lifetime oil in it, but a drain plug was added. We were lucky and missed the model years without a drain plug.
[/quote]

Those were released in '04/'05 and maybe into '06. The first of the style we have now with the hole through the center. My '05 R1200ST came that way, and my favorite tech told me at the time- "When the rear end blows up. it's lifetime is over!" He obviously did not believe that no maintenance was required. If only BMW had listened to experienced tech's at the time. There was no drain plug in those first units.

I haven't checked with him, but I'd bet he'd say the same about the "forever" chain!

Frank

Chain oiler keeps rust off your back, too.