By Harry Dusseau (Dirtyharry) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I need to know the #/size for the chain that connects the tranny to the jackshaft on my '96 Max II. Is it #50 or #60 or a different size?? I have access to farm/industrial supply shops locally that should sell this stuff.

My right side chain broke, in of all places, the middle of a HUGE watery swamp area. Yuck! It was just one of many things that went wrong with my day.

Hope someone can help. Thank you.

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DirtyHARRY

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Harry, It should be RC 50 chain, 46 pitches

By Harry Dusseau (Dirtyharry) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks Fred.
I was able to get my MAX out of there the next day (it was near dark when it happened of course!). Thank GOD I had my Rokon Trailbreaker!!! I was able to hook enough lengths of chain & cable together to reach the MAX and pull it to the shore. Kept the best piece of tow cable, threw the rest in the back of the MAX and towed it home. Sure love my 2x2 bike! I had a good 200 pounds of gear in the MAX plus my cousin in it to steer and me on the Rokon. It was pulling a good half ton - no problem!

Now to fix my MAX.... *grumble* I discovered that the main drive chains have been adjusted as far as they'll go, so I guess it's time to do a total chain swap. It's been four years, so they've held up pretty well.

Do you know the total number of links for the front and rear chains??? I know they also use #50 roller chain and the jackshaft itself uses #60. (I dug out one of the old pamphlets Recreatives sent me way back before I bought my machine.) Also... do you recommend installing new nylon adjuster 'shoes' while doing the chain switch, or will they last a while longer?

Thanks again Fred.

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HARRY

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Harry, you are right on sizes - main chains are 102 pitches, Jackshaft to middle axle is 60 Rc and 34 pitches. I think the nylon part last almost forever. The springs in the adjusters can break (need to have the adjuster out of the machine and make sure the spring is in right if one plans on just changing a spring). It depends on how clean you keep your chain trough and how much gunk is on the adjusters. If you haven't had any problem keeping them where you put them, I'd just change chains. If they have been popping out of position, they could be gunked up and the ridges don't fit right, or the edges could be worn off and the adjuster will need to be replaced. If you have not been having problems, just make sure they are clean between the two metal plates.

Yup, hardly ever seem to have trouble when it is easy to get too.

By Harry Dusseau (Dirtyharry) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Does R.I. have a recommended timeline for chain replacement??? Does chain differ in quality (enough to warrant paying a lot more for a "brand name" chain vs. import cheapo)???

How much longer (in theory) does the new o-ring chain last over the old style?

Harry

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Harry, I think chain life is very variable based on driving conditions, how clean it is kept, and how well it is kept at the proper tension (a big ball park figure is 200 hours to 500 hours.) I would say quality is very important - top quality (don't think brand is all that important) will probably last twice as long, maybe longer. The o-ring chain is expected to have about five times the life of regular roller chain, but pre-October 1998 max IIs will not accept the o-ring (chain is too wide to fit) while all Max IVs will accept o-ring chains.

By Harry Dusseau (Dirtyharry) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks for the info, Fred. Wow! Five times the life of the old roller stuff, eh? Pretty cool. I'm guessing it costs just about that many times more than the old style, too. Oh well. At least you only have to swap them out 1/5th as often, which is kinda nice.

Figures the o-ring chains can't be retrofitted to the older Maxes. Dang.