Italian chain and transmission manufacturer Regina has released details of an innovative and revolutionary Z-Ring chain, the High Performance Endurance (HPE) which they claim eliminates the need for lubrication.

In a world, or at least a part of our motorcycling lives which seemingly does not make great technological advances over time, Regina have potentially created an earthquake with the news of their new maintenance-free, final drive chain.

How does it work?

A hydrogen-free Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon (ta-C) coating, currently considered my many experts as the most advanced among DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coatings, is applied on the surface of the bushings and rollers of the HPE chain in production. That ta-C coating reduces energy dissipation and increases efficiency and so combines the very hard coated surface with a low coefficient of friction.

The innovative ta-C coating process was developed through intense R&D activity by Regina engineers which they say was entirely carried out in our Cernusco Lombardone plant in Italy.

“The elimination of the periodic lubrication and the greater efficiency of the transmission raise the HPE chain to an extremely advanced technological level compared to traditional sealed chains, unthinkable until today and unparalleled on the market”, says Paolo Garbagnati, CEO of Regina.

“We would like to thank all the women and the men who made the achievement of this important goal possible, including all the passionate riders, who, confidentially and professionally, contributed to the project with many extensive test rides.”

Enduro21 contacted Regina about the chain and specifically to ask about off-road use but unfortunately, further details are currently closely guarded secret. We’ll let you know more when we know more.

They do however say the HPE chain does not need specially coated front or rear sprockets and that extensive lab and street testing has demonstrated the chain has a useful life that is “at least equivalent, if not greater, than a traditional regularly re-lubricated Z-Ring chain.”

More environmentally friendly?

Regina also claim less chain cleaning and lubricant spatter during operation, as well as the repeated application of chain lube minimizes environmental impact and by implication will mean less need for the can of chain lube in your garage.

The HPE chain from Regina will be available in the market from January 2021.

More information: www.reginachain.net