So I was doing 40 on the A13 this morning...

[neil.]

...after I had noticed a strange clunking sound emanating from under my feet. Carried on carefully until I got to my breakfast pit-stop (Tesco), and discovered this:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/image_005.jpg



I'm guessing I was extremely lucky as it could have potentially been nasty.

Left the bike there in a more 'inconspicuous' location and got the shuttle bus into work. So now, I need to get the bike taken home (30 miles away). I'm with AutoAid, which should hopefully cover it, unless they can send someone out with a new master link and get it put in (not that I trust that chain any more)!

The funny thing is that the chain is an IRIS X-Ring jobbie and it wasn't cheap either (£60). But I have heard bad things about those chains... going for DID next time. Meh.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[MarJay]

Use a rivet link next time...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[neil.]

[Mark65]

Well spotted neil, is there no where near to you that will sort the rivet out for you?, ive never been a fan of split links even on my pedal bikes i used a chain tool.

Mark
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[neil.]

Saying that, the old chain had a soft link and lasted over 15k miles. Easier to get the bike home and sort it there, gonna get recovered after work, or you never know, maybe the recovery folks can actually fix it.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Polarbear]

I'm not a fan of soft links either, but that shouldn't have happened like that. I would keep the link and start making noises to your supplier or / and iris.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Tim..]

Dam that was close, well spotted.

Were there any other tight spots on the chain?
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Project builds: My VFR400 nc30 build thread + Honda Britain Rep VFR + What? Another VFR +Project 'cos I want one' + V8 coffee table
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[P.addy]

im not a fan of x-ring, probably makes no difference in this case, but damn lucky you spotted that!

[neil.]

I actually heard it go. For the last few weeks there's been this on and off knocking around the front sprocket that would get faster as I went faster. I investigated it a few times and both sprockets aren't worn at all and are perfectly secure with everything in place. After slacking off the chain a bit it was fine. So I'm guessing that link gradually distorted on one side until it finally snapped. The rest of the chain was fine. I clean it once a week with paraffin and lube with 10w40 now through an automatic oiler thingy (Loobman, although I previously used the Wurth dry stuff). Also, the point at where it snapped doesn't look like a part of the link that would be worn down by normal use, so I'm looking at weak metal perhaps? I fitted the chain last April so it isn't old either.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[chip]

stupid question here but what would actualy happen if the chanin snapped? other than a nice gash on the back of your leg. anything damaging??

[truslack]

Often snaps the chainguard, can smash the engine casing or do bad things to the output shaft.

Supposed to be able to do a bit more than make a gash in your leg aswell, but I've never seen any proof.
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[neil.]

Sometimes it will just fly off, leaving everything unscathed.

Sometimes it will coil around the front sprocket and mangle the engine.

Sometimes it will coil around the back sprocket and lock the rear wheel.

Sometimes it will lash out and cause nasty injuries to the rider.

I guess I was very lucky as I rode the bike around like that on a major dual carriageway at 40mph...
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Mudskipper]

[chip]

got away prety lucky there then lol

[neil.]

UPDATE (for those who care!): Got recovered and taken home, gonna claim it back off AutoAid. The guy also fitted my 'real' link that I managed to dig out of the garage, which saves me waiting for the tool and having to take the train to work tomorrow.

He also mentioned that those split links are weak because of the way that they are pre-riveted on one side (the side that failed in this case) which was interesting. Well, I know not to be lazy next time and do it properly. I went over the whole chain with a fine tooth comb and couldn't find anything else wrong. Result!
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Tim..]

[truslack]

[Jamie S]

[neil.]

[mad4it028]

i run a split link on my xr600r and my zx6r never had a problem
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Anyone seen Mondo Enduro? They had lots of chain breakages on their RTW escapades. No talk of ripped legs or locked wheels etc
I wonder just how often a chain would/could foul up?
Anybody else had it happen to them here?

neil. well spotted that man, and glad all's well.


Pat
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[T0MMY]

The chain on my TZR125 jammed my back wheel when I was flat out on a dual carriageway, I just left two skidmarks, one considerably longer than the other.

Didn't fall off though and luckily there was no-one behind me at the time.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[stinkwheel]

I have always maintained that split links are dangerous. People try to tell me it's because I haven't fitted them properly.

I've found them broken in exactly the same way as above but minus the keeper plate (and lying on the road half a mile back following an abrupt loss of power). What's interesting is the order it happened. I always thought the keeper plate had somehow pinged off leading to excessive force on the back plate which eventually cracks and splits.

Could be it happens the other way round which would be harder to detect on a casual inspection, I usually just looked to see the clip was still in place when I checked my chain. Could very easily have missed a cracked back plate.

Anyway. Solution is the same as I came up with a number of years ago. Don't use split links.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Mord]

Ouch. Lucky..

I'm going to check mine now

[Jrod]

I've had 2 snap in the same way as above, both times the chain just got launched out the back with no damage.