Snapped my chain this morning...

[ShaunSV SA]

After last nights wheelie session coming home from some pub, and then riding to work this morning my damn chain snapped some 15 Kilometers from work...

Now normally this wouldnt be a problem cause I would just call on a mate and he would help me out... But last saturday night me and some mates where hijacked while enjoying my birthday and they got away with my phone... (*******s)

I eventually got hold of my friend from a payphone but I still had to push my bike about 2 kilometers down the road to a diesel workshop I used to work for, so it could be safe from any more harm...

I need a holiday!!!

[Iansv]

maybe thats a lesson about not doing wheelies :lol:

[ShaunSV SA]

I know :D I did it to myself...

The master link actually broke so the bike shop is gonna go fetch later and fix it for me...

[jonboy]

So, just to clarify things, was the chain not riveted and instead using a spring clip on the master link?


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[ShaunSV SA]

yeah it was a spring clip, I was using a DID 525 chain.

[jonboy]

Thanks for clarifying that Shaun, sorry it snapped and glad you're okay. Perhaps this ends the argument that riveting the link is safer than relying on a spring clip.


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[northwind]

I think that argument got ended for me when i met the guy at a bike show (on a disabled biker's org stand) who'd lost his leg when a spring-link broke...

Funny how just on link stands between sitting on a bike, and sitting on a chainsaw eh? :shock:

[Ceri JC]

On the subject of chains snapping, I've always wondered why chain guards weren't more substantial (should be more metal in them IMO, even if it's coated in plastic).

BTW, Is it okay to use Autosol (metal polish) on a chain? Re-lubing it afterwards, of course.

[Carsick]

You would have to have a very serious chain guard there to actually have any confidence in it whatsoever.

[northwind]

In the stock SV one there's a wee bit of metal that'd last about a heartbeat if it got chained... One of my "things to do" is to get a good-looking steel one built, that'd actually be stronger while giving better fling protection as well...

[RandyO]

why do you guy s consider loosing a master link a "snapped chain" ??makes it sound like your chain actually broke when it only fell apart at the master link

I always carry a couple master links in my kit (clip type)

[Wiltshire7]

what is the chain that comes with the sv? one of these leg losers?

[chazzyb]

I read that the only problem with spring links is people not fitting the spring clip correctly.

[northwind]

what is the chain that comes with the sv? one of these leg losers?

Continuous... It's manufactured as a loop, doesn't even have a rivet link IIRC. but any time you replace it, just make sure you get a rivet link with it. Clip link's useful to have, since you can fit it yourself with the clip and have a dealer rivet it for you if you don't have the tools

ChazzyB, I've read that too, but how could anyone know that?

'sides, why take the chance? That might be correct, or it might not, but it cost me £5 to get my chain rivetted last time I swapped, why risk it?

[BURNER]

Weird as it is it was never common practice to have a chain riveted in SA when I lived there.
I had the split link on my gixer and regularly rode at 200KM/h+
Nowadays I wouldn't dream of riding a bike with such a link in it.
Am I wrong or have you lot made me paranoid?

[northwind]

You're lucky to have survived :)

Nah, I think it's a pretty small margin thing... Personally I'm convinced that it does increase the risk of failure, but I would't want to take a guess of by how much... Considering how uncommon a chain failure is anyway, a small increase on a small incidence isn't enough to be especially worried about.

But at the same time, the £5 for a rivetted link is cheap peace of mind.

[RandyO]

a rivet type improperly installed is no safer than a clip type improperly installed

[wheelnut]

A split link seems sufficient for them BSB lads,

I would probably put more faith in split links then someone trying to rivet their own chain. If the clip comes off then the chain will seperate, make sure the clip is facing the right way and is in the grooves. Make sure it isnt damaged or you dont damage it while fitting it.

Mine is riveted, because it is still original

[northwind]

Yup, I'd agree with you both there, anything done badly is worse than somethig less good done well, generally... Wheelnut, the links on the BSB bikes are usually safety wired though, not so practical for a street bike.

[ShaunSV SA]

I will also add that I had already done 12000km on that chain and to be honest Im not suprised it snapped (or the master link that seperated) because I was seriously abusing the bike the night before...

I know it sounds like I dont care for my bike but let me tell you there is nothing I care more for... (except my girl :) )