Review of DID 428D VIX 9-ly chain for Pega S electric motorcycle after a period of use
This post is a bit off-topic, but since this is the admin's favorite electric bike, often going with the admin wandering around the roads of Can Gio, Tay Ninh, Long An, Tien Giang, Vung Tau... and reviewing spots in the city, so occasionally reviewing experiences with her, hoping to connect with fans who mod electric bikes and love traveling!
Experience with the legendary gold chain DID 428D VIX for Pega S (modded sprocket, chain, and rear disc) after 3 months of use:
My comments on the DID 428D VIX chain (9 ly) when newly purchased and self-installed:
- I bought the 124L version thinking initially to buy a bit extra and cut the links later. In reality, if you buy, look for the about 100L version (100 links only, because Pega S modded is only about 96-98 links, 124 links pushes the cost up high, so I bought nearly 500k worth (next time I'll learn the lesson), ka ka, made too much excess
- Remember to buy a link cutter too, it's hard to hammer
- If possible, buy a bottle of chain lube too to spray periodically to reduce noise (will talk later)
- Pega S uses 9 ly chain, initial quality is premium and beautiful, heavy, has rubber seals with a thin layer of oil, feels quite sticky to the hand
- This line is for heavy loads so it feels very high quality in hand
Comments when newly installed:
- Makes a squeaking sound that's annoying, because the chain is too tight, I cut it to about 98 links and it fits right against the edge of the rear disc, so in the first 500-1000km it's a bit noisy and uncomfortable, like squeak squeak squeak quite sad (Many others shared that maybe trying RK Elo 428 line won't make noise, next time will try)
- Good load capacity, the bike is very powerful, because this DID 428 VIX line is heavy-duty, so installed on the bike it runs much more powerfully, one kick and it shoots up immediately, power is clearly felt
- The most annoying drawback is in the first 500km, the chain hasn't stretched evenly yet so it squeaks squeak very irritating, after 100-200km I gradually loosened the chain adjuster nut a bit and it got better right away. After 2000km it's quiet a bit
How to properly adjust the chain for electric bikes when modding sprocket, chain, disc
Many people used to riding manual bikes just squeeze the brake to fix the rear disc and chain then tighten the nut. On electric bikes, because the mid-drive motor is quite strong, if done that way it will misalign when running causing a very loud whistling noise due to being off-center. And when squeezing the brake the electric motor cuts off so it will be even more off-center because the brake holds it back
Therefore the correct way is to have someone lightly throttle (on stand) or you lightly throttle to make the chain rotate under load. Then while the chain is rotating, watch and adjust so the chain is even with the front sprocket. Test again by throttling, if no more or small noise then WITHOUT SQUEEZING THE BRAKE tighten the nut.
When the wheel stops completely, check the chain adjuster nuts again, adjust to fit but keep the current tension as is.
In summary:
If modding this DID chain, choose the about 100 link version (~100L) to cut less and save money on excess links, probably around 150k.
It will squeak squeak quite loudly in the first about 500km.
Durability is quite good, I've gone over 5000km but it's still tight and no signs of softening like regular ones (Si's 9 ly)
