In an article on how to properly change the drive chain of the O-ring or X-ring system on a motorcycle, I described the procedure for replacing the chain (you can read the article), but said practically nothing about the chains themselves, who invented them and how they appeared . If you are interested, then this short article is for you.

Located on the west coast of Japan for almost 80 years, EK CHAINS, at the beginning of its turbulent activity, produced conventional drive chains for various machine tools, including chains for low-power motorcycles of those times. The enterprise was founded back in 1941, and for 33 years (just like in Pushkin's fairy tale: thirty years and three years, but this is a fact from the life of the company) it riveted ordinary chains, approximately the same as our domestic chains, familiar to our domestic motorcyclists.

After 33 years of activity, in 1974, the company made a huge leap forward when it was the first in the world to release chains of the O-ring system. On these chains, the company first began to install on each link axle, tiny rubber rings, which are both oil seals and anthers at the same time, and which reduce the loss of lubrication in the link and at the same time prevent dust and dirt from entering the rubbing elements of the chain links. Naturally, from these bells and whistles, the chains of this company have significantly increased their working life, compared to conventional chains, which caused a sensation among the world's chain manufacturers, and they eventually adopted this experience.

But O-ring chains immediately revealed their minus: when the links of such a chain begin to bend, the rings create a little friction, that's basically the whole minus. But despite such a trifle, the company decided not to stand still and get rid of it. And now the next stage of evolution in the development of chain technologies of this company: the company creates a new generation chain - Quadra-X-ring. The seals (rings) of this chain are X-shaped in cross section, with sharp edges at the ends. Thanks to this exclusive shape, these tiny X-shaped seals are much more effective in protecting chain links from dirt, better retain lubricant inside the link, and on top of that, they create much less friction when bending (working) the chain.

EK CHAINS manufactures chains for almost all classes of motorcycles, and I want to make a special mention - even heavy-duty chains for drag racing devices, in which engine power can reach more than 500 horses, now imagine what loads these chains can withstand. And more recently, the company made another quantum leap in its development: it began to produce chains with Zero Stretch Technology, which added even more durability to the company's chains. So know that a chain that is marked with the ZST brand lasts much longer on your motorcycle, as it wears out much more slowly. Having bought and installed such a chain on your motorcycle, no matter how abruptly you start from a traffic light, you will notice that, unlike other chains, such a chain will not stretch more than a millimeter in the first thousand kilometers. This unique feature is especially appreciated by athletes, as they can now go several races without adjusting the chain tension.

The last feature of this eminent company is chains of different colors. Such chains are no different from each other except for the color, and their properties are the same, but you must admit that a chain of the same color as your motorcycle will look quite original.

Cage-ring "transformer". The shape of the cage is an octagon. The shape of the podium is an octagon. The diameter of the combat zone of the cage for MMA is 9 m, the size of the combat zone of the boxing ring is 6.1 x 6.1 m. high level like in boxing Thai boxing, mixed and other martial arts.

The implementation of our unique design developments makes it possible to transform the MMA cage into a Boxing ring that meets AIBA international standards and vice versa in an hour and a half. No one in the world does this - only SPARTA.

The polymeric covering of a grid of the chain-link provides safe contact of fighters with a wire of a grid. Chain-link mesh thickness: 4.2 mm. + 1.5 mm. polymer coating. On request, it is possible to apply logos on the flooring (bottom) and side and top protective cushions of the cage.

Pillows and sleeves are made of high-quality polyethylene foam filler, covered with expensive, strong, beautiful matte eco-leather.

The design of the cage podium is made using the unique patented "Hook-Up System" technology, which allows you to assemble it using simple tools (we will send you a list) in 25 minutes.
No bolts or nuts.
No constipation.
Everything is very simple.

Also, the assembly process is facilitated by the fact that all elements of the metal frame of the podium are covered with a durable polymer composition, and each type of interchangeable elements is painted in its own color, thanks to this you will never mix up the details.

You can get possible color combinations from our managers.

Cage-ring "transformer". The shape of the cage is an octagon. The shape of the podium is an octagon. The diameter of the combat zone of the cage for MMA is 9 m, the size of the combat zone of the boxing ring is 6.1 x 6.1 m. unique design developments allows for an hour and a half to transform the MMA cage into a Boxing ring that meets AIBA international standards and vice versa. No one in the world does this - only SPARTA. The polymeric covering of a grid of the chain-link provides safe contact of fighters with a wire of a grid. Chain-link mesh thickness: 4.2 mm. + 1.5 mm. polymer coating. On request, it is possible to apply logos on the flooring (bottom) and side and top protective cushions of the cage. Pillows and sleeves are made of high-quality polyethylene foam filler, covered with expensive, strong, beautiful matte eco-leather. , which allows you to assemble it using simple tools (the list of which we will send you) in 25 minutes. There are no bolts and nuts. combinations you can get from our managers.

Seals of the Q-ring type (OX, X-ring, X ring) are an annular sealing element, the cross section of which consists of 4 rounded identical edges, namely, forming symmetrical recess arcs. In fact, the shape of the Q-ring allows it to be used as a double-acting seal. This sealing element is able to function in harsh working conditions, when density is needed in the vast pressure ranges. In the outlet of the organization, in addition to seals of this type, you can find O-rings GOST 9833-73, mechanical seals, imported O-rings and much more.

Q-rings - main characteristics and scope

Seals of this type can be made of oil and petrol resistant rubber, polyurethane, fluoroelastomer, ethylene-propylene rubber.
Q-rings can be used to operate at operating pressures up to 40 Megapascals in static connections or in reciprocating motion (at pressures over 10 Megapascals, reinforce seals support rings), as well as up to 1 Megapascal - with pendulum movement.
Max speed, at which Q-rings can operate normally: up to 0.5 meters per second - in static connections or in reciprocating movement, and up to 2 meters per second - in rotational movement.

The design features of the Q-ring prevent twisting of this sealing element when it is installed in the corresponding equipment.
The scope of rings of this type is very extensive - mainly it is pneumatic and hydraulic equipment used in various fields of activity. For example, rings X widely used in road construction equipment - excavators, bulldozers, in agricultural machinery, as well as in grabs, manipulators, hydraulic presses and so on.
In addition to this type of seal in the company's stores, you can purchase

Many of you are probably interested in motorcycle chains and their varieties. I am sure that almost everyone has come across the products of the Japanese company RK, which has been specializing in motorcycle chains for about 60 years. In 1975, they began developing the first chains with simple O-ring seals. And by 1982, chains of this type were already highly valued and used on many motorcycles, in principle, and now they are very popular, thanks to the quality and small price. In addition to O-ring chains, the Japanese company RK also produces X-ring chains and the newest W-ring chains.

RK O-RING chains:(420SO, 428SO, 520SO, 525SO, 530SOZ1, 630SO). We already know that RK has been making O-ring chains for many years. All RK O-RING chains are made from quality alloy steel for strength and durability. The "O-ring" seal prevents leakage of lubricant from the chain without loss of power.

Chains RK RX-RING (X-Ring): GB520XSO, GB525XSO, GB530XSOZ1 and non-gold XSO. X-ring seals provide better isolation and grease sealing. According to RK, XSO grade chains last up to 7 times longer than O-ring chains.

Chains RK GXW-ring (W-ring): GB428GXW, GB520GXW, GB525GXW, GB530GXW and non gold GXW. Advanced "W-ring" chains are built with high performance in mind. The seal is made from advanced composite material"Nitrite Butadiene" (Butadiene nitrite, perhaps in Russian it sounds different). According to RK, these chains last up to 10 times longer than standard chains.

When choosing a chain, it is also worth remembering its type (420, 428, 520, 525, 530/532), by which you can find out all the important parameters of the chain in the reference book: pitch, roller diameter, etc.