CHAIN REPLACEMENT - Tips ? Tricks?

B

BradPitt

Active member
replacing chain on my bike... looks pretty straightforward.. any tips or tricks though?

not doing sprockets as they are fine for now, so was going to get a non-o ring chain for the summer, then do full chain and sprockets next time - what do you think?

as for cutting... could buy chain breaker, but what about bolt cutters?

any other tips or tricks appreciated :)
 
I use a Dremel to grind the ends off the link pins, then push them through. Tie the chain together on either side of the link that you intend to break, just to make sure it doesn't wind itself off the sprockets, then break a link between where you've tied it. Use the old chain to drag the new chain around the front sprocket.

Get an O-ring chain. Use a rivet link.
 
You may want to reconsider, a new chain will have a short life on old sprockets. Change sprockets and chain together. But if you do go ahead with your plan to get a non o ring chain, just make sure you get one with enough tensile strength to handle the power - no low speed industrial chain!
 
was going to get a non-o ring chain for the summer
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You've lost me right away...
What about next summer? And the summer after that?
And what's so special about this summer that you don't desire o-rings in your chain?
Why would anyone ever want a non o-ring chain?
A modern, top-quality chain from DID or RK will last at least ~5 years.
These chains cost ~$150 bucks.
But even a cheapo chain ($100 bucks) will have o-rings...
 
I've used princess auto chain and sprockets on a 750 Suzuki, Had 1 chain issue in 5 years. Checked them and changed them often, about every 2 years.
 
alcutter said:
I've used princess auto chain and sprockets on a 750 Suzuki, Had 1 chain issue in 5 years. Checked them and changed them often, about every 2 years.
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So in 5 years you've gone through 2.5 chains and had a problem with one of them. ie. a failure rate of 40%. I'm not sure how much you ride, but I'd personally rather have peace of mind and save on the maintenance effort with a quality O-ring or X-ring chain. New sprockets will help the new chain last longer too. Just my $0.02.

To to OP: I'd be surprised if you could break a chain using a bolt cutter. I also use the dremel trick to grind down the chain rivets then use a chain tool. If you don't have one, borrow one from a friend. You could also go with a clip style master link but most prefer a rivet link
 
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alcutter said:
I've used princess auto chain and sprockets on a 750 Suzuki, Had 1 chain issue in 5 years. Checked them and changed them often, about every 2 years.
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I had the original O-ring chain and sprockets, on my VFR800, for just short of 50,000 Kms. Sounds like false economy, to me.
 
I bought a breaker for about 10$ and a rivet tool for like 20$ at royal. Have yet to try it out, but cheap tools always seem to break. we'll see
 
skapan said:
You may want to reconsider, a new chain will have a short life on old sprockets. Change sprockets and chain together. But if you do go ahead with your plan to get a non o ring chain, just make sure you get one with enough tensile strength to handle the power - no low speed industrial chain!
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That right there is sound advice .. if your replacing your chain, you replace your sprockets as well.
 
Rob MacLennan said:
I had the original O-ring chain and sprockets, on my VFR800, for just short of 50,000 Kms. Sounds like false economy, to me.
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I had 60k on mines before I replaced it.

Another bike, I have used sprockets on a new chain, its doing well so far. I didn't want to wait for new sprockets to arrive, so I just reuse.

No wear/tear/stretching so far. I haven't had to adjust my chain as yet, its almost 10k km
 
jooce said:
I bought a breaker for about 10$ and a rivet tool for like 20$ at royal. Have yet to try it out, but cheap tools always seem to break. we'll see
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This is particularly true with chain tools. In my experience....buy cheap = buy twice.
 
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