Well you couldn't make this up

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

I left work tonight at the usual time 17:10 (that's 10 past 5 non-military time), I'd just passed junction 18 on the M5 proceeding northbound when I notice a biker on the hard shoulder pushing his R6 up the mile long hill to Filton. I pull over half-way up the hill and walk back to help him. He freely admitted he'd been daft and had driven his bike when the fuel gauge was on red. I'm in a good mood and feeling philosophical so I just help him push. We get back to my bike and he says he'll be fine as a workmate who passed him earlier has rung and is returning with some fuel.

I hop on my bike and ride off up the hill, quite steep with a 4th lane for slow moving trucks etc... I change up to 3rd and the throttle sticks open. Ooh that's dodgy I think to myself and wind the throttle back. All's well I accelerate to 65 mph and go to change up to 4th when I hear a really strange rachety type noise, I click immediately... it's the chain! I pull the clutch in indicate left and pull onto the hard shoulder. The chain has snapped at the split link and for all I can tell wrapped round the front sprocket or worse. I felt lucky it hadn't flown off or whipped my leg, but a little annoyed as at my service last week I was told the chain had a tight spot and would need replacing in 2-3 months time.

I ring Carole Nash and I'm told recovery will take about an hour, an hour in rush hour sat on the M5 does not fill me with relish. So I tell them I'll push it to junction 17, what the hell I've just passed the mile marker and can just about see the 300 yard marker through the gathering gloom. So I'm pushing my bike, and thinking hey this ain't so bad it could be a whole lot worse, when an electrical storm kicks off over Filton. I felt quite exposed but none-the-less pleased as I've never seen forked lightning before and certainly not that close that is roughly 1000m away. Then it tipped it down and I mean buckets, so I put my lid back on a stood the other side of the armco waiting for it to pass.

The other biker, Simon, has now got moving and seeing me pushing thinks I may have run out of fuel as well so he saves half of his mate's can for me... aah bless! He rides down to the slip road then walks back to help me push my bike this time, we muse over whether my chain snapped because I was accelerating uphill after stopping to help him, and might not have broke had I not stopped. Or was it a good thing I did stop because maybe it could have broke if I'd carried on and was blattin' it in the outside lane, we'll never know I suppose. I got home at 19:50 (work it out yourselves if you need to), took the bike out of gear, and pulled the end of the chain to see what would happen... it wasn't jammed and all that's missing is the split link! I'll be on to the mechanic's tomorrow but what a night. Eh?

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nick606 · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Karma :

im going with lucky you did stop

but i think would be illegal to push your bike up the hardshoulder

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Bloody epic!
Have some Karma for helping the other guy out.
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Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

was the split link on the right way round? Razz

Good on you for stopping Thumbs Up

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TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

I keep meaning to put a spare split link on my keyring, thanks for the reminder Smile

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LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

LeeWat · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Karma :

Good on you for stopping to help the other bloke out. But i have to ask this question, what bike do ride that has a split link in the chain ? On my XJ600 i had an endless fully riveted one.

Lee.
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Simson S51 Enduro, Kawasaki AR80, Yamaha RD125LC, Yamaha XV535, Yamaha XJ600N, Suzuki GS1100G, Kawasaki KLR250, Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog (4/4/08 Deceased). Suzuki XF650 Breakwind.

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

LeeWat · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Karma :

Right, now i know what bike you ride, do you do any offroad on it ?
If you do, i'd say stick with a split link and carry a few spares, if you dont, fully rivited is the way forward. And a chain splitter and rivet set (or combo) is a must for anyone that doesnt want to pay mechanics fees for fitting endless chains.

Lee
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Simson S51 Enduro, Kawasaki AR80, Yamaha RD125LC, Yamaha XV535, Yamaha XJ600N, Suzuki GS1100G, Kawasaki KLR250, Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog (4/4/08 Deceased). Suzuki XF650 Breakwind.

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

No I don't do any off-road especially as I've just had BT45s fitted, I'll keep a spare link with me from now on and I'm looking at buying a tool to do the job. But the next set of chain and sprockets will be fitted by the mechanic as I've already got it booked in. Thumbs Up

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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...