Snap!

KingKong · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Sep 2011 Karma :

Hi

Bike chain snapped, not sure why. Previously (2.5 weeks ago) took to mechanic to tighten chain. He did it within a minute by using a power device and the nuts/bolts around my rear wheel. Chain felt tight. Could it have snapped because he overtightened it; or is it because it might be quite a few years old, despite having only served 4500 miles?

Also, since the chain guard has snapped from the swing-arm (see photo), is this easily repairable or would it be classed as a write-off?

Yes, I'm an air-head when it comes to mechanical aspects Embarassed

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Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

ripzay · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Karma :

Looks to me like you've come off lucky - chain snapping can end bad - from holes in engines to wheel lockups and you being chucked down the road.

Chain snapping can be caused by any number of things, from over-worn sprockets, stretched chain, tight chain, loose chain, insufficient lubrication etc. etc.

Would be hard to really say what's actually caused it to snap, especially now that it has snapped - it's already destroyed any evidence you have.

As far as the chain guard mount goes..

not a brilliant photo but it looks like it's aluminium?

I'd say you could grind off the old weld flat (will be very soft and very easy to grind if it's aluminium) and have the tab welded back on.. a tenner to a local welder will probably do it if you can take the swingarm off and take it down.

As an aside - I'd recommend that you replace the sprockets along with the chain this time around, the chain snapping could have bent / warped the sprockets and I personally wouldn't risk keeping the same sprockets.
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Current: 2005 KTM SuperDuke 990
Previous: 1996 Suzuki Bandit 600
Previous: 1994 Suzuki GSX-R 400

KingKong · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Sep 2011 Karma :

Ripzay - when you put it like that then I am very fortunate this happened without any injury/material damage to the bike.

I definitely will replace the set with new sprockets for certain. Thumbs Up

Bunny Lingus · Traffic Copper Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Tighten your own chain. It is sooo easy. Save you some money & guarantees peace of mind...
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Bunny Lingus & The Flipside Faggots

KingKong · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Sep 2011 Karma :