chain help

[Jim]

so my RK 525 gold chain broke on me tonight when I hit the throttle. Do you guys fix them, or replace?
I currently have:

• Sunstar steel (OEM) 15T (-1)
• Vortex 525 aluminum 47T (+2) with abou 2,000 miles

was planning on a doing a 520 conversion with Sunstar steel -1/+2 and RK or DID gold 520 chain in the winter, but it looks like I need to do something now.

would you repair the chain, replace with 525 chain, or do the whole 520 setup now?

[imkindafkedup]

replace, also be sure to check the sprockets often times if theres a broken chain its due to not lubing enough and will cause broken teeth.

[Jim]

the chain was wicked loose, and I was just trying to deal with it until I winterize it end of November. I had the rear sprocket done at SS Motorsports, so I assume they lubed the chain. Kinda pissed me off that they didnt adjust the chain though.

[Currently]

Did you have clip on master link?

Did you replace everything you have at the same time?
Meaning it is only 2k miles old?

If you did, what you have is still good.
If you did not, I would say the lot of it except for the rear sprocket is garbage.

Chain wear is measured by chain stretch.


If your chain was a DID, I would have several rivet links and a rivet tool.

Keep that in mind if you want to replace ... I do know that the DID and RK links are different.

This is a good example of Peter Kates sig file ... If you couldn't afford to do it right the first time, how will you afford to do it right the second time?

All chain components should be replaced at the same time, counter sprocket, chain and rear sprocket.

[Jim]

Did you have clip on master link?

Did you replace everything you have at the same time?
Meaning it is only 2k miles old?

If you did, what you have is still good.
If you did not, I would say the lot of it except for the rear sprocket is garbage.

Chain wear is measured by chain stretch.


If your chain was a DID, I would have several rivet links and a rivet tool.

Keep that in mind if you want to replace ... I do know that the DID and RK links are different.

about 2k miles ago, I just replaced the rear sprocket. the teeth where pretty round. the dealership said the front sprocket was fine. Sounds like veryone here prefers DID. Is it just the cost or is there a quality difference?

[Currently]

Chain is chain when you start spending that kind of money.
Both are very good companies.

Just that I have the special DID rivet tool and spare rivets.

I don't lend tools out but have no problem lending me out to go rivet it for you.

Cost you pizza and soda. ... I am a cheap date :

[brendanp]

I would never just "deal with" riding with a wicked loose chain. Not good at all. (not trying to be an ass here) Sounds like you need to get a rear stand and do it yourself. Cleaning and lubing your chain is essential! You dont have to be that mechanically inclined to do. Not sure why you brought it to the dealer, but I like to do as much myself as possible. This way it gets done right. and yes, I like DID chains...

[Jim]

I was planning on dropping the bike off at a shop tomorrow and just telling them to fix it, since I've never done chain work. If someone's willing to hook me up with a good place to order from and help me replace the chain in the driveway this week, I'm ok with ordering pizza, soda, beer, etc. Shit I'd probably order a stripper

[Wishbone]

Go see Duey at riverside. He is the parts guy there

got a dremel tool and c-clamp?

If so you can do it yo self

Its a bit of a PITA with out the correct tool but it can be done

There are also a bunch of guys that have said tool and most will offer their help

[reiobard]

I had the rear sprocket done at SS Motorsports, so I assume they lubed the chain.

So they replaced the rear sprocket 2000 miles ago and you assume they lubed the chain???????? you are supposed to lube your chain every 300 or so miles.

[Wishbone]

you are supposed to lube your chain every 300 or so miles.

Whhaaaaaa? so like every 2 months right?

[Jim]

yea definately never lubed it. I work on my trucks all the time, but this is my 1st bike, so I'm learning as I'm going.
Just ran outside and took these, incase anyone was wondering about the rear sprocket and chain.
Attachment 9314

Attachment 9315

Attachment 9316

Attachment 9317

[Jim]

you are supposed to lube your chain every 300 or so miles.

dude, that's every week for me. you really lube your chain every 300 miles?

[Currently]

I lube my chain every saturday morning which is 300 to 500 miles.

140 bucks for a chain
50 for a rear sprocket
20 for counter sprocket.

My last chain lasted 21 thousand miles ... so yes, I say that it was worth lubing every weekend. (I probably missed like 3 or 4 weekends due to either not riding or family emergencies.

Lubing your chain once a week gives you the opportunity to look for and find loose bolts, misaligned tires, broken hoses and all sorts of crap.

Your life depends on it.

Can you imagine what would of happened to you if that chain would of locked up that rear tire of yours while you were doing 80 mph on I-495?

Your life depends on it.

[brendanp]

If you were a bit closer to me, I'd be there in a second to help you out. That chain looks a bit yucky...

[brendanp]

I lube my chain every saturday morning which is 300 to 500 miles.

140 bucks for a chain
50 for a rear sprocket
20 for counter sprocket.

My last chain lasted 21 thousand miles ... so yes, I say that it was worth lubing every weekend. (I probably missed like 3 or 4 weekends due to either not riding or family emergencies.

Lubing your chain once a week gives you the opportunity to look for and find loose bolts, misaligned tires, broken hoses and all sorts of crap.

Your life depends on it.

Can you imagine what would of happened to you if that chain would of locked up that rear tire of yours while you were doing 80 mph on I-495?

Your life depends on it.

+10000
You can eat off my chain.

[Wishbone]

dude, that's every week for me. you really lube your chain every 300 miles?

YES! ask Bergs how his stock chain is doing with30k on it



You should also check your air pressure about the same time


There is a video around here some where on a fantastic way to do it

this is the best I could find quickly on u tube

YouTube - How to Lube the Chain on a Bicycle
It's not a mo cycle but you get the idea

[Jim]

the chain looks a bit dry too, when I looked at it. So a sponser quoted me a DID 525 gold chain for $98 the other day. Is that the reasonable price? I'm checking DennisKirk right now, and dont see anything cheaper.

[Currently]

Attachment 9317

The infamous clip on master link .... you were very fucking lucky!

I refuse to use a clip on just for this reason.

Insist on RIVET links!

Depending on which DID chain, 98 bucks is a great price for an Oring
Xring are about 120 to 130 ...

Oring is good enough until you appreciate taking care of what you got, then spending extra on an xring chain might be worth it to you. Not taking care of it .. no amount of money will help you.

[reiobard]

dude, that's every week for me. you really lube your chain every 300 miles?

I Lube my chain at at least once a week and my first chain lasted about 17k miles and my 2nd has 15k on it so far and it is still working great. i was told that if the rollers get "shiny" then they are dry on the outside of the roller.... if they are dry outside the roller then they are getting dry inside and it is time to lube again.

[brendanp]

the chain looks a bit dry too, when I looked at it. So a sponser quoted me a DID 525 gold chain for $98 the other day. Is that the reasonable price? I'm checking DennisKirk right now, and dont see anything cheaper.

That is a decent price for sure...

[Jim]

sorry if these are stupid questions, but will a rivet work on my sprocket, or will that need to be changed also?

[Wishbone]

the chain looks a bit dry too, when I looked at it. So a sponser quoted me a DID 525 gold chain for $98 the other day. Is that the reasonable price? I'm checking DennisKirk right now, and dont see anything cheaper.

Talk to this guy he works close to you and will give you the best deal

[Jim]

thanks
can I refer to him as "this guy"

[Currently]

Only if you want to bitch slapped ... ;D