Chain off, how much damage? - SV650.org

09-07-05, 09:21 PM

Nightmare, managed to get a pass to take the bike out for a decent ride, 10 minutes later accelerating reasonably hard I hear a very nasty noise, clutch in and coast to a stop. Chain off the rear sproket, nice gouging of the swing arm and a few bolts, rear wheel tensioner sheered off and the chain all bunched up on the front sproket.

Think I was a bit lucky not to lock the rear.

So the splendid chaps at th RAC pick me up and take me home.

I must say that within about 10 minutes 2 guys on bikes both stopped to make sure that I was OK, how cool is that! One guy was on a Norton 888!

I can only assume that the chain was a little loose, although I did check recently, initial inspection of front and rear sprockets looks like they are OK. The chain is well stuck up at the front though and I think that I am going to have to turn the front sproket with some force to get it free. The chain is doubled over at the main frame/engine mounting point and stuck. I am then planning a decent sproket and chain inspection before refitting!

The front sprocket cover is broken and the top bolt seriously bent from where the doubled up chain has puched upwards. I am hoping I will be able to get the bolt out. It looks like I will have to remove the clutch assembly to get a socket on the front sproket nut need a bloody great socket though.

So all in all what promised to be a rare treat for me turned out to be a bit of a nightmare.

Anyone have any suggestions or advice? I am a little worried about internal damage? The engine fires up fine but I guess the gearbox may have suffered a little? Will be looking for a rear tensioner and front sprocket cover if anyone has. 2002 SK1

Cheers may you have a better ride than me this weekend.
Slip

09-07-05, 11:27 PM

yeah - gearbox could be damaged.,

thank your lucky stars that you are ok tho.

10-07-05, 08:21 AM

is the whole tensioner wrecked or is it just the V shaped bit of metal that has the markings for chain aligment on it.

if it is just that bit replace it with a washer of the same width, i have had my bike like this for a year after the aligment thingy and the rear axel bolt bound together and scratched the swingarm when i took the bolt off.

i heard that the chain tentioners wernt too expensive. not sure how you fit then though

BillyC · 10-07-05, 09:47 AM

You are extremely lucky that this was all that happened. I'm afraid I have no advice that I can give on what you should do next. I'm very glad that you're alright, and am sorry to hear about the damage caused.

However, please let this be an indicator to everyone on the importance of checking your chain regularly - once a week at least. If there's one thing that you should be paying attention to regularly on the bike, as reguarly as you fill her up with fuel if need be, it's the chain and sprockets.

10-07-05, 12:56 PM

*non sv owner alert*

Had the same mate, just this week. Rode the hornet all the way to work, 38 miles or so, plenty of twisties, good handful of revs as usual, you know.....typical hornet riders style.

Just turn into my works entrance (about 40m still to go) and I hear a BANG and a grind. Clutch in, like you, and coast to a stop. Turn around and see both ends of the chain over the swingarm and trailing along on the ground. THANKFULLY, it cleared the front sprocket and just came off round the swingarm.

I was only doing maybe 10mph at the time, was JUST about to accelerate hard, so it's JUST as well I didn't. Had to get the bike picked up and got new chain and sprockets put on.

My speedo sensor (located by the front cog) took a fair bash and now wiggles as the wheel turns round. Some scratches/scuffs on the top of the swingarm too but nothing to worry about. Was very thankful for that!

If the sv reads the speed from the front cog, then there's a good chance it'll be duffed, since your chain got wrapped around the front.

This did indeed prompt me to put on my loobman that I've had for the last 3 months, doing nothing!

BillyC · 10-07-05, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by instigator

If the sv reads the speed from the front cog, then there's a good chance it'll be duffed

This is relevant for the SV1000... but not the 650, unless yours has been modified as described.

09-07-05, 09:21 PM	#1
slippery Guest Posts: n/a	Chain off, how much damage? Nightmare, managed to get a pass to take the bike out for a decent ride, 10 minutes later accelerating reasonably hard I hear a very nasty noise, clutch in and coast to a stop. Chain off the rear sproket, nice gouging of the swing arm and a few bolts, rear wheel tensioner sheered off and the chain all bunched up on the front sproket. Think I was a bit lucky not to lock the rear. So the splendid chaps at th RAC pick me up and take me home. I must say that within about 10 minutes 2 guys on bikes both stopped to make sure that I was OK, how cool is that! One guy was on a Norton 888! I can only assume that the chain was a little loose, although I did check recently, initial inspection of front and rear sprockets looks like they are OK. The chain is well stuck up at the front though and I think that I am going to have to turn the front sproket with some force to get it free. The chain is doubled over at the main frame/engine mounting point and stuck. I am then planning a decent sproket and chain inspection before refitting! The front sprocket cover is broken and the top bolt seriously bent from where the doubled up chain has puched upwards. I am hoping I will be able to get the bolt out. It looks like I will have to remove the clutch assembly to get a socket on the front sproket nut need a bloody great socket though. So all in all what promised to be a rare treat for me turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. Anyone have any suggestions or advice? I am a little worried about internal damage? The engine fires up fine but I guess the gearbox may have suffered a little? Will be looking for a rear tensioner and front sprocket cover if anyone has. 2002 SK1 Cheers may you have a better ride than me this weekend. Slip

10-07-05, 09:47 AM	#4
BillyC Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The exiles of Kent Posts: 2,184	You are extremely lucky that this was all that happened. I'm afraid I have no advice that I can give on what you should do next. I'm very glad that you're alright, and am sorry to hear about the damage caused. However, please let this be an indicator to everyone on the importance of checking your chain regularly - once a week at least. If there's one thing that you should be paying attention to regularly on the bike, as reguarly as you fill her up with fuel if need be, it's the chain and sprockets. __________________ SV650 K3 - Gone. Now a member of the SV650.org Kawasaki brigade!

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09-07-05, 11:27 PM	#2
Warren Guest Posts: n/a	yeah - gearbox could be damaged., thank your lucky stars that you are ok tho.

10-07-05, 08:21 AM	#3
tomjones2 Guest Posts: n/a	is the whole tensioner wrecked or is it just the V shaped bit of metal that has the markings for chain aligment on it. if it is just that bit replace it with a washer of the same width, i have had my bike like this for a year after the aligment thingy and the rear axel bolt bound together and scratched the swingarm when i took the bolt off. i heard that the chain tentioners wernt too expensive. not sure how you fit then though

10-07-05, 12:56 PM	#5
instigator Guest Posts: n/a	non sv owner alert Had the same mate, just this week. Rode the hornet all the way to work, 38 miles or so, plenty of twisties, good handful of revs as usual, you know.....typical hornet riders style. Just turn into my works entrance (about 40m still to go) and I hear a BANG and a grind. Clutch in, like you, and coast to a stop. Turn around and see both ends of the chain over the swingarm and trailing along on the ground. THANKFULLY, it cleared the front sprocket and just came off round the swingarm. I was only doing maybe 10mph at the time, was JUST about to accelerate hard, so it's JUST as well I didn't. Had to get the bike picked up and got new chain and sprockets put on. My speedo sensor (located by the front cog) took a fair bash and now wiggles as the wheel turns round. Some scratches/scuffs on the top of the swingarm too but nothing to worry about. Was very thankful for that! If the sv reads the speed from the front cog, then there's a good chance it'll be duffed, since your chain got wrapped around the front. This did indeed prompt me to put on my loobman that I've had for the last 3 months, doing nothing!