When do you replace your chain?

B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

So I bought a bike, and the chain isnt great. On my nice bike, I'd never have let it get this bad, but for a winter hack, is it actually dangerous?

It's just gone through its MOT which suggests not.

I'm not adverse to changing it, but would like to get some time on it to decide if I like the gearing first and also it makes more sense to fit a new one coming out of winter than going in. I do of course plan to clean and lube it regardless!

So, on a scale of 1-10 where 1 is new and 10 is OMG thats going to snap and break your legs, where does this fall?

jaffa90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Apr 2016 Karma :

Isn`t great, bad and dangerous ???????????????
More info really.
Did the tester check the chain ?

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

When I buy a bike with a chain, I usually change the chain and sprockets, unless they are obviously in good nick Your sprocket is on the verge of being dead, have you had a closer look at the chain. Do the links move freely etc? Measured the distance between links as specified in the manual?

recman · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Mar 2012 Karma :

I'd give it all a good scrub and lube first, sprockets too.
Might be OK.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

What bike is it and how much adjustment is there left in the chain?

ADSrox0r · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :

Teeth are hooked to hell, time to replace.
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hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

my month old chain looks worse than that!

a dirty chain isnt a bad chain.

check if there are any stiff links,
lube it up and keep riding.
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B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

It's the Sprocket wear that concerns me most.

If that's not enough to instantly write it off, then Ill clean, measure and lube the chain.

It's a GPZ500S

I'm aware that it is, in effect, gubbed, so with my limited knowledge, would normally just replace it. What I dont have any experience in is how long one can 'get away with it' and what constitutes it becoming a real issue in terms of breakage.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

You can get away with it until you run out of adjustment assuming all the links move freely and that the link measurements are within the limits.

The sprockets are nearing the end of their life but they're not dead yet.

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

there is still a bit of life left in the sprocket,
not much though,
order a new one sooner rather than later
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

There's hundreds of miles left in that sprocket, maybe thousands. I wouldn't throw money at a GPZ500S until absolutely necessary - something else could render it uneconomically viable before those teeth give up.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

Perfect, thanks gents. Will clean, lube and adjust it and see how it goes. Certainly it will be enough to see whether I like the gearing and hopefully enough to see the winter out.

pompousporcup... · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Apr 2015 Karma :

rather than replace the chain.. just replace front and back sprockets..the chain may well last <insert miles here> miles

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Now you've done it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

Azoth · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Karma :

You should be looking at the front sprocket, not the rear. If it was installed at the same time as the rear one, it will look much, much worse. Worn front sprocket but new chain and good rear sprocket? Change front sprocket. Worn front sprocket but old chain and mediocre rear sprocket? Change chain and sprockets as a set.

Test the chain like this:
1) Eyeball it from the side to look for missing plates between links. If there are any, replace chain and sprockets as a set, because missing plates will cause the chain to snap.
2) Eyeball it from the rear and turn the back wheel, to check if it's straight. If it's crooked, replace chain and sprockets as a set.
3) Grab it from the 3 o'clock position on the rear sprocket, and pull it backward and push it side to side. Any lateral movement? Can you see daylight through it by pulling the chain clear from the sprocket in that position AND do you have sideways play? If so, change chain and sprockets as a set.
4) Check for the correct specs for tightness for the chain. See if there's a marked difference between the loosest and tightest parts of the chain. If there is, change chain and sprockets as a set, because tight spots will cause the chain to snap.

Chains and sprockets are normal consumables on a bike, along with oil, oil filters, seals, bearings, fuel and tyres. They are all part and parcel of what it costs to run a bike. You have to change them when needed, and not try to cut corners, otherwise you could be in some trouble. A snapped chain, particularly, poses a serious health risk to you and your bike. Chains and sprockets wear out together. Put a new chain on old sprockets, and it will wear out very fast. So, most of the time, you change them as a set.

It makes no difference that the bike is an old GPZ500S. The price of the bike on the used bikes market only reflects what the market is willing to pay for it, not whether it ought to be properly maintained to be kept roadworthy, or even whether it's any good. Even a Chinese scooter needs to be maintained properly. Besides, if you put a new chain and sprockets on it, you will notice it's a lot nicer and smoother to ride.
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V2 · Nearly there... Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Karma :

I'm surprised that no one has said this but....

Looks slack Laughing

recman · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Mar 2012 Karma :

B5234FT · Brolly Dolly Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Tdibs · Traffic Copper Joined: 16 Jan 2015 Karma :

Ye check for stuck links and hardspots, all getting to the end of its life but its not dead yet. As others said, have a look at the front too if its from that set its going to be pretty worn.
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pompousporcup... · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Apr 2015 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Kawasaki Jimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Oct 2015 Karma :

To me a winter hack would be a cheap, tatty but mechanically sound bike. If you're not going to sort that out now you're not really going to bother at the end of winter, and pondering gear ratios is just a further excuse. You might be lucky though, just like the previous owner(s).