Chain broke :-(

My chain broke riding home about 21.30 on Wednesday night.

Chain wrapped itslef round the front sprocket, the engine stalled and I glided to a nice smooth halt. Not that I knew that was the cause at the time, as I was in a pitch dark country lane and couldn't see a thing. The clutch lever went floppy so there was no starting the thing. As I was only about a mile from home I decided to push the bike back instead of calling out a recovery vehicle and waiting for hours. I worked up a slight sweat!

My chain had a couple of seized links and I'd just got quotes for new chain/sprockets and was going to order the very next day

Timing couldn't have been worse, what with the dry and sunny long weekend, the Southend ride and not having a bike. But I have to consider myself lucky as I wasn't thrown off and didn't get my foot amputated by a chain (I was, OF COURSE, wearing proper motorcycle boots).

The damage is mostly cosmetic (swingarm bashed up, hugger broken), but the clutch needs some work. Here's a few pics:

God you were lucky there Rob, it could have been so much worse. Glad you didn't come off and that the hugger stopped the chain from attacking your leg. Hope you get the bike remedied soon .


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glad your ok rob...... let me know if you need any help

You were lucky. Hope you get it all sorted and back on the road soon.

Ouch! Glad it didn't take ur leg off.

On the upside... it looks quite pretty the way it's wrapped round like that...

*coughs*

On the upside... it looks quite pretty the way it's wrapped round like that...

Agreed, always best to think positive

Anyway, the bike is nearly back to full health. New chain and sprockets are on, clutch is mended, new tyres are on (unrelated to chain incident, just happened to have ordered them just before it happened). Just waiting for some bolts to come in (extra-special Suzuki bolts, not just any old bolts).

It's not me doing the work, in case you're wondering... it's Focus Motorcycle Training (http://www.focusmotorcycletraining.co.uk) who have now branched out into servicing, tyres, general biking bits and bobs, etc. I trust them far more than I'd trust any local Suzuki dealers. Good price for the tyres as well.

Rob

My bike is due it's second years service (no danger of reaching the mileage limit first!! ), I have heard stories about not using an official Suzuki dealer invalidating your warranty. How true is that?
Obviously I'm after saving a few bob but don't want to prejudice myself further down the line...


*Poons sits down and checks temperature after serious post shocker*

Originally Posted by Conrad Poons

My bike is due it's second years service (no danger of reaching the mileage limit first!! ), I have heard stories about not using an official Suzuki dealer invalidating your warranty. How true is that?
Obviously I'm after saving a few bob but don't want to prejudice myself further down the line...


*Poons sits down and checks temperature after serious post shocker*

yup, you need to use an approved suzuki dealer. otherwise it will invallidate your warranty.

Lucky man...

Hope you get sorted soon

Originally Posted by Conrad Poons

My bike is due it's second years service (no danger of reaching the mileage limit first!! ), I have heard stories about not using an official Suzuki dealer invalidating your warranty. How true is that?

It isn't. This is a common misconception. Under new EU laws you are entitled to have a motor vehicle serviced by a non-fanchised and independent dealer. You can also do it yourself. However, keep a detailed log of what you do and keep all receipts for oil, filters, plugs etc.

Obviously I'm after saving a few bob but don't want to prejudice myself further down the line

I only ever put my bike in for the 500 and 4k miles service and have since always changed my oil and filter etc very regularly.

Saved a lot of money doing this.

At the end of the day it depends if you're the kind of person that's prepared to take on a fight should you have a warranty claim and a sh*te toe-rag of a dealer (some dealers are very good - Mrs Jordan please take note ) that wants to get out of their responsibility. You should note that your contract is with the dealer anyway and not the manufacturer and if something goes wrong your dealer is by law entitled to put it right. The two year warranty is an "extra" that basically safe-guards the dealer but is neither here nor there.


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