D'oh.

[kbroderick]

So I went out for a ride this morning, and about 30-40 miles in I noticed a recurring vibration from the rear of the bike (noticeable only on smooth pavement), with a frequency that was regular but too slow to indicate a wheel issue. Figuring that my chain had needed adjustment every time I'd checked it for at least a few thousand miles, I decided that I'd go ahead and order a chain and sprocket set when I got home.

I guess I should have ordered it last week. I was turning from VT-121 onto VT-11 when the bike made a Bad Noise. Engaged the clutch, pulled to the side of the road, and my chain is hanging in a manner not prescribed by the manual. A closer look revealed that yes, it had failed; debris on the roadway clearly confirmed this:



So after getting a ride 1/4 mile up the road to a high spot with cell service, I manage to call one of the other dorm supervisors at work. She manages to get into my apartment and get my truck keys...and I then walk her through hooking my utility trailer to the Suburban, including installation of the hitch (I don't like leaving the tongue and ball in the receiver when I'm not using it). I then walk back to the bike, detangle the chain from the rear wheel so that we'll be able to roll it onto the trailer, and sit on the side of the road for a while, listening to the thunder and hoping it doesn't start raining. It was fairly interesting to watch the flies and bees going after the flowers, though.

After what seemed like a long wait, she arrives and I trailered the bike back without incident. Then I tried to get the front sprocket cover off so I could roll the bike into the garage without dragging what was left of the chain all over the place. The chain had wedged itself in Real Good up front, resulting in a sprocket cover that refused to budge until after I had managed to break it (c'est la vie, I've got another one that's just a bit cracked that I can use).

So now I need to find a chain and sprocket set for the 250 before I can ride again...annoying, but at least there was no injury involved. FWIW, that was an OEM chain with under 14K on it, which I thought would have lasted a bit longer.

[nilez]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzCpBoxF2gc

[Jim]

YouTube - Patrick & Eugene - The Birds and the Bees

Embed YouTube/Google Videos!

[nilez]

Embed YouTube/Google Videos!

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...le-videos.html

hahahaha, fail!

[OreoGaborio]

huh.... ninja 250 comes w/ a clip master link from the factory? Sure it hasn't been replaced?

[Jim]

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...le-videos.html

hahahaha, fail!

man i suck. i fixed the link though.



back on topic, if you're replacing the chain, get something with a rivet master link as opposed to the o-ring you probably have. i had an instance last year where my o-ring master gave and found my chain wrapped around my leg in framingham. pretty sure the DID chains all come with rivets, and the RK chains will come with o-rings, but can be swapped for another $7

[akira700]

Jim, my man
you are confusing o-rings and clip link.

Most good chains are O-Ring technology. This is just the dust seal
inside the chain to keep lube in and dirt out.

Anyway I had a clip link on my old 600 and ran the shit out it
no problems what so ever.

[Jim]

akira's right, i meant to say clip master link.

but for peace of mind, i'll still only use a rivet master now

[kbroderick]

huh.... ninja 250 comes w/ a clip master link from the factory? Sure it hasn't been replaced?

No, I'm not sure...but I'd expect it to still be good if it had been, since the factory chain should be good for 20k plus, and I know it hasn't been replaced since about 5k (when the PO bought the bike).

Is that bent link definitely a clip-type master link that failed?

And yes, I am planning on getting a rivet-type master link and replacing both sprockets as well.

[Jim]

Is that bent link definitely a clip-type master link that failed?

the master is the weakest link of a chain, so yes that would be your clip on that broke. if you're replacing the sprockets too, stick with steel

[kbroderick]

the master is the weakest link of a chain, so yes that would be your clip on that broke. if you're replacing the sprockets too, stick with steel

So a factory chain would not have failed in the same manner?

(I'm just trying to understand a little better what happened, especially as I'd be really surprised to learn that it wasn't a stock chain...just about everything else on the bike, including tires and brake fluid, seems to be stock).

[Jim]

factory most likely would have. i've only heard of chains failing on the master, since that's the weakest part of the chain.

when you put the new one, make sure you clean the chain every 300 miles. i've gone about 4k this season and still havent had to adjust my new DID.

[keeena]

So a factory chain would not have failed in the same manner?

Factory chains use a riveted master; aftermarket chains feature either riveted or clip type.

Most people feel that clip-type masters (the one that you have pictured) is weaker/more susceptible to coming off. Its definitely venerable if the retaining clip is installed backwards. It looks like the retaining clip on yours fell off and then the link itself then worked its way off the chain.

I would think a riveted chain probably would more likely fail due to serious failure of a link..e.g. a pin completely shears off the side plates.