wernst

All,

Though it shifts surprisingly well, I am still rockin' the original chain on my 1987 KHS equipped with Suntour's first generation Indexed shifting system, and I'm thinking a replacement chain might not be a bad idea.

Specifically, this is the XC9000 group, with a 6-speed freewheel.

Though I am willing to spend for very high quality chain if it will improve shifting, something tells me that a pretty basic chain will still be an improvement over the original 27 year old SunTour chain. I'm thinking the current-generation of 9- and 10-speed compatible thin chains might actually make shifting worse on fat cogs this widely spaced, but what do I know?

Recommendations (and maybe links) please?

Thanks,
Warr

zukahn1 

For a replacement chain for a 6/7speed accushift I would suggest a KMC 7/8 or similar chain with 7.1mm spacing.

bikeman732

if you can find a NOS sachs/sedis "sedisport" chain, they worked well with the old SunTour systems. Ebay maybe?

Andrew R Stewart 

Not mentioned is the front ring spacing and chain width. Modern narrow chains are more likely to be caught in neutral (riding on top of the inner ring's teeth) the the wider chains of yesterday. Like many questions presented here the actual answer requires trying out the options. Andy.

FastJake

Depending how worn the chain is, the cogs might be too worn to work with a new chain. Do you also have a line on a new freewheel?

I'd put on a 6/7/8 speed KMC or SRAM chain, because they come with nice reusable master links. They've always worked great for me.

gregjones

+1

Basic KMC chains work, and work well. Basic bike, basic chain.

Any problems??

wernst

Bike's been in storage for 20 years, and the freewheel and chainrings are in good shape. Good point though.

-Warr

zukahn1 

In that case I would give a basic cleaning lube and go with the original chain and freewheel. Which are correct work with the accushift.

wernst

Okay, so that everyone is on the same page; late last year I took it out of storage and dip-tanked and relubed all the drivetrain components (either with Chain-L for the chain or TriFlow for basically everything else), and installed new brake pads, wires and housings, tires and tubes, the grips and the seat. I was a professional bike mechanic when I bought it new in 1987 and am aware of how items wear on a bike.

What I am not aware of is what new components are available today that offer the best compatibility possible with the old hardware, like the chain. I used Sedisport chains on all my stuff back in the day, but $60 for an NOS chain seems crazy when there may be other perfectly good new alternatives.

I've been riding the old girl hard on the trails this year, and having installed an NOS smaller oval chainring to lower the gearing slightly, I was going to take out a few links in the chain when it dawned on me that what I don't need is a broken 27 year old chain stranding me somewhere - maybe a new one would be a good idea.

I know I am not the first person in this situation who wants a new chain on an old but otherwise perfectly functioning Accushift drivetrain, and not wanting to re-invent the wheel, and not wanting to buy several different chains and experiment with trial-and-error, asked here.

Thanks for the suggestion of not changing anything out, but respectfully, what I really need are suggestions about what chain to get that'll still index shift the old suntour stuff. I can always re-install the old chain and keep riding if the new chain doesn't shift well, but I'd like to avoid buying chains more-or-less at random.

Thanks,
Warr

SkyDog75

I put a KMC Z51 (7.1 mm) on an Accushift 7-speed MTB. It worked great ...except the skipping on worn cogs. Not the chain's fault, though.

JohnDThompson 

The SRAM 7-speed chain works well for me on vintage hardware.

FastJake

Chains don't go bad with age... except when they're neglected and allowed to get rusty.

Going back to your original post, since I didn't catch the intent of your question, chains today are better than they were 27 years ago. When I've put a new KMC/SRAM 6/7/8 speed chain on an old drivetrain I've noticed better shifting.

sreten

Hi,

All modern chains even the very budget ones for derailleurs are now bushless,
the Sedisport being an early example of the then new fangled bushless chain.

Any modern 3/32" chain will be fine. I'd pay a bit more for nickel plated.

rgds, sreten.

bikeman715

Shimano 's 6,7,8 speeds chain should work for you too .

wernst

So from the "OP Delivers" category of old threads, I just thought I'd mention that I finally got around to installing a new chain this weekend. I used a KMC X8.99 chain, and it index shifts beautifully, which if you are familiar with SunTour Accushift 6-speed setups, is really saying something. It is a big improvement over the old chain. It also shifts well up front with the classic oval chainrings. I am planning on switching to a new crankset with smaller rings next week, and it comes with ramps and pins. Should it not shift well with this chain, I'll post.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

-Warr

Dan Burkhart 

KMC Z51 is the go to chain for everything below 8 speed that's 3/32" for me.

Velocivixen

I just bought a NOS Suntour XC 6-Speed freewheel and the seller, who has a bike shop suggested the Connex Wipperman 808. I ended up with the KMC X8.93 and it's awesome.

Lucillle

Thank you!