Riding with a broken chain?

[Stalk]

Mini-Stalk has broken one of the side plates on his chain (Yam SR 125)
and is considering riding it until replacement arrives. Would you ride with a broken sideplate?
Should add that it is snapped in half, and I would not ride it.

Cheers for opinions
Stalk.

[Itchy]

Nope I wouldn't.... as an extreme measure I might remove the link and then reconnect it again if I had a chain splitter etc, but otherwise nope.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[doggone]

I think a few of us will have been doing maintenance and spotted something like this that's been merrily whizzing round for many miles, but it would be most unwise to carry on riding when you know about it - other than gently get home if possible.

A chain flying off even at 30mph can do expensive damage to the bike and possibly the rider.
Plus you might be stuck in a dangerous place with traffic mercilessly whizzing past your ear.

[Dan79]

Even if he gets away with the chain falling off cleanly without making contact with him or damaging the bike when it splits (which it will) sods law this will happen whilst he's being followed too closely by a HGV - bike will suffer total loss of power, lorry driver won't see any brake lights, splat. I wouldn't risk it, find some other way of getting about in the meantime.
____________________
Previous bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (FII) Interceptor and 1990 Yamaha RXS100
Current bikes - 1984 Honda VF500 (V30) Magna

[weasley]

Get out there with bolt croppers or an angle grinder and remove any doubt.

[G]

Would consider shortening the chain by a link, or possibly even welding the cracked link as an extreme measure.

No chance I'd try riding it as is - if I was being VERY careful, maybe a couple of miles to the local bike shop, then fit it outside there.

[neil.]

NEVER, although this exact same thing has happened to me and I did ride it shortly at up to 40mph before I actually found out what had happened - I heard a big clunk and then knocking that got more frequent with speed. I actually thought it was something in the engine big end/clutch. I was on a busy dual carriageway with nowhere to pull over so I had to ride for a mile or so before I could pull into a car park where I could investigate. Then I discovered the broken chain, called out my breakdown recovery and fixed on a new master link, then I bought a decent DID chain.

I will never buy IRIS ever again, or recommend them to anyone - I had regularly cleaned, lubed and adjusted this chain and it only lasted about 8'000 miles. The DID chain I had before lasted over 15'000 miles and my current DID is still going strong after 12'000 miles or so with plenty of adjustment left.

[stonesie]

I would wait for a replacement chain, but if I was desperate to use the bike (my only transport or something) I would track down a split link and replace the knackered one with that as a temporary measure, wouldn't trust the chain if one link had gone like that......


Oh, and...
https://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss88/SilentWolf8979/Humor/pics_or_it_didnt_happen_retro_poste.jpg

[neil.]

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

[MarJay]

[G]

Replacement split link won't cost much at all.

[stonesie]

In the unlikely event that you wanted a link to do that, that is the one you would pick


Back to the real issue, how shitty is the OP's lads chain if the might of a 125 has made it shit itself

[fiery tupp]

[Mini_Stalk]

[G]

Why not get a puncture repair kit . About £1 in Asda or Tesco.

Personal safety you've got a low (though significantly higher than before) chance of hurting yourself if it goes wrong.

Likely effort of dealing with a broken down bike definitely doesn't seem worth it for the very small hassle of doing it 'properly'.

A different case, but there was someone that posted on here a while ago. Everyone told him that putting a CR500 engine in a 50cc chassis would need a lot of strengthening.
He ignored that. He ended up around a tree, dead.
Given the wrong situation with the current weather; either of the things you mention could end the same if you're not so lucky. Or maybe you'll end up paraplegic being fed by a tube and having someone wipe your arse for you.

I take enough risks, but I try and make sure they're semi-sensible ones considering the possible outcome. Doesn't seem worth it for ones very easily avoided.

[andym]

Just thought I would add a little comment here, more about the whole chain splitter etc, (I wouldn't ride with a split link like that... if I knew about it).... but I removed a link from my chain using nothing more than a straight edge screwdriver and hammer.... anyway I'll bugger orf now and wait for my bike to explode or something.

[baldy]

I wouldn't ride it unless you want it to rip you a new arse hole when it snaps and flings up.

Just fit a new split link for a few quid, and then go and buy some chain oil.
____________________
One day i will rule the world, just not today.

[flat spot]

If anyone is confused about using the term Darwinism. Well folks we could see it in action anytime soon.

[Marmalade]

[Mini_Stalk]

i think there might be some confusion, dad has told you wrong i havent broken the split link i have broken another link, my split link is fine.
____________________
SR 125 Rat

[Mini_Stalk]

i think there might be some confusion, dad has told you wrong i havent broken the split link i have broken another link, my split link is fine.
____________________
SR 125 Rat

[G]

If it's an outer link, you can still use a splitlink to replace it, by the way.

[27cows]

I had to back in the summer for about three miles with a broken link. That was on a very small bike with virtually no power and that link wouldn't have lasted much longer. To knowingly ride a bigger bike with a broken link would be the very height of stupidity.
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would use a new split link to replace a failed link if I could find a matching one, but I would consider why the original link failed and whether the rest of the chain is useable.

As to riding on a broken link. Unless it was at walking pace for a very short distance as a last resort then no way.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[MarJay]