Chain snapped, probably my fault.

[covent.gardens]

Yeah.

https://i45.tinypic.com/imlyx3.jpg

https://i47.tinypic.com/rh96iq.jpg

https://i46.tinypic.com/ilwyog.jpg

I noticed yesterday the chain was slack as hell but there was a spot where it'd get tighter (correct amount of freeplay). The freeplay has always varied at different points along this chain but I noticed yesterday it had got significantly worse. I always set the freeplay at the tightest spot so it's never too tight but will be loose at points (but again, never as loose as it was yesterday).

It was so slack in places that it looked very close to rubbing on the centerstand.

I thought that it's due a change soon (I've done about 10k on this bike and it was fitted to the bike when I bought it), the sprockets do look like they've seen better days, so thought I'd order a kit, then have plenty of time to research how to fit it etc.

In the meantime I thought I'd go get some paraffin and give it a clean, as I figured it might be a stuck link or something, and as I use the bike daily, couldn't really leave it how it was, so I tightened it up a bit, as a temp measure, not too tight I didn't think, and set off to B&Q

But it snapped on the way home from B&Q, luckily just as I was pulling away from lights.

Funny thing is that after the chain broke it's easier for me to inspect each link, and I can't really see any seized links, and I do oil the chain regularly (gear oil). Would a seized link be really obvious? There are a few that aren't quite as easy to move as others but they do still move easily.

If there is no seized link, what else could cause it to be slack along most of the length and tight at one spot? Skipped a tooth? Wheel alignment?

Need to learn about this before I fit my new chain!

[stuartt]

the tension or free play should be the same all the time .

i tend to over do it with chain oil but i drive all year in all weather .

i use half a can of chain oil when i'm doing my chain ( a lot i know )

i'll usually do my chain every 2 or 3 weeks or every 3 or 4 hundred miles .

i like the wurth dry chain lube but at the mo i'm using the car lube chain oil as it's about £2.50 as i've not been working much

if you buy the best did chain & sprockets it will last you for many thousands of miles as long as you use plenty of oil .

once my chain looks really bad i'll spray dry chain oil on to a duster & clean the chain , once it looks clean i'll spray it again

[covent.gardens]

I oil & tighten my chain roughly as often as you, I don't use that much oil though! I use gear oil.

Chain maintenance is about the only thing I do to maintain my bike, funny that it should be the only thing to break

Well it's a lie really as I do some other stuff, brake pads, oil changes etc. But probably not half as much as I should.

Couple more questions

1) https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/cb_500_v/97-98/picture/did_chain_and_jt_sprocket_kit/ - the DID kit I am going to buy - does anyone know if it's a Split Link or a Rivet Link? As if it is Rivet I'll need to buy the tool. It doesn't say and was hoping to buy it tonight so it's dispatched in the morning

2) Is it practical to buy a spare link from Wemoto and "repair" my broken chain, so that I can use it again in an emergency? At the mo this bike is my only way to get around other than public transport or a pushbike. If I could replace the broken link I'd have a spare chain incase this ever happened to me in the future.

[Dave-the-rave]

I'd hazard a guess your chain broke because it had reached the end of it's life and needed replaced, but you already knew that.

Also..Look at the top pic which shows a very dry and corroded inner link. From that I'd hazard a guess you could be a bit more focussed with regard to chain lubrication, which will prolong the chains life.

Keeping knackered chains as spares isn't a good idea really. It broke because it's knackered. Use it again and it will probably break again, possibly at a very unwelcome moment.

Safety first over cost cutting.

[YBR Ric]

You do tighten your chain only when it's in a fully lubed condition don't you?

[stuartt]

i'd def buy a new chain & sprockets .

it's the 1 thing i'd pay to get done as i'd hate to make an arse of it & have my chain snap at 150 & wreck me & my bike

i've had the did chain for a year & a half & i've never adjusted it .

it would of got adjusted when i got a back tyre though .

i bought the best did chain & it seems to be money well spent .

i'm sure if i drove my busa like a looney i'd of had to adjust it more .

i'd def say your chain is fck'd .

maybe you'll be better with chain oil rather than gear oil

[issey9090]

scary stuff - i suppose if in doubt, replace when it comes to chains

i found a few stiff links in my chain, enough that almost cant move them by hand - im guessing this isnt a good sign either...

[Copycat73]

new chain & sprockets time me think

when the op gets his old sprockets off take a look at them and maybe post up pictures ?
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[Walloper]

Tight slack tight slack means there are 'tight links' in the chain. These are links where the lubricant has leaked out so the pin siezes in the bush.

It is caused by poor chain maintenance. Using old engine oil or alternative non-specific lubricants.

Or no lube.

Or shit quality chain.

New Sprockets MUST be fitted with a New Chain as they will wear each other until they fit each other. So if sprockets are worn they will wear the new chain.

Sprockets are not much more than the chain. But a far better and safer option than just replacing new on top of shite.

You could join the chain you have but it will most likely burst on another 'weak-link' fly off and wrap it's self around your neck and ass-fix-ee-eight you.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[stuartt]

i think this is what i got although i think i payed a bit less when it was on sale .

https://www.bitzforbikes.co.uk/DID_ZVM2_X-Ring_Gold_Chain_and_Sprocket_Kit_Upgrade-ref-17209-9731-345-513.html

[Alpha-9]

[chris-red]

[bezzabsa]

Chains do have a finite life span, and this shitty weather shortens it drastically..also when jet washin your bike do NOT jet wash the chain or wheel centres, as it can force debris into bearings and grease out too..
invest in a scottoiler or even trawl through google for the loobman system, gravty fed so its fit and forget , extends chain life 2 or 3 times..

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=weasy+loob&oq=weasy+loob&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=diy+chain+oiler&oq=diy+chain+oiler&gs_l=serp.3..0l2j0i30l2.14527.16617.2.17046.9.7.0.2.2.1.262.841.4j2j1.7.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.c_W7J6FDBAo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41642243,d.d2k&fp=84c29e71f988f4da&biw=1366&bih=643

[covent.gardens]

Thanks

Just waiting on the delivery now, nothing I can really do until then.

I've got the front sprocket off, that was the only thing I was really worried about, I think I can handle the rest of it.

I've gone for the DID kit and I bought a spare link as well, in case I ever need to repair a chain as a temp measure in the future, also bought a riveting/chain breaking tool.

Fingers crossed it comes by Saturday

[Marmaduke]

Front sprocket is very hooked! I should check mine >.<
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Current: '03 Tuono RSV1000, '05 Van Van, '91 Zephyr 550
Previous: Multistrada 620,Bandit 600,Kawsaki ER-5, BMW K-75

[Copycat73]

[Moo.]

Usually the chains now come with rivet links, and its worth getting the tool to do the job as they usually last quite a bit!

But make sure you read the instruction on how to use the tool, theres a bit of fiddling and swapping bits around on it i bought the one off wemoto and it works pretty well!

I have had it before where the split link clip has dissappeared so now use the rivet type for peace of mind
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