Chain gone? Please not sprockets too...

[RantyDave]

So, I've had this bike for about a month now. A VTR250 - I'm not a learner so the rest is clearly a longer story. I've never really been happy with the chain.

I went for a ride earlier this afternoon, just a quickie, and when I came back saw that the chain was dangling like ... bad analogies everywhere ... a dangly thing. So I've adjusted it for 30mm or so of slack and have just come back from taking it for another ride.

It's ... noisy. More to the point you can hear that it's not worn the same way all the way through and makes a kinds "shhhUUnnkksshhhUUnnkkkk" noise as you trundle along. I don't really like the idea of it going bang on SH1 during my morning commute. The adjusters are also nearly at the end of their range so that would seem to indicate the chain is not long of this earth. Holding the bit that's laying across the sprockets, you can lift it up a bit (2-3mm maybe) but not a huge amount.

I vaguely recall Steffi (previous owner) having some over enthusiastic boys tightening the chain way too much for her at (shudder) Manfield, but I must admit that I thought the chain had been changed since then. Although it may have been by the same enthusiastic boys.

The sprockets themselves look OK. They look symmetrical, for instance. But I understand that them in the know reckon changing both at once is the way to go. I'm not entirely keen.

So, what say ye? Does it sound buggered to you? Also, if I were to attempt a chain transplant at home, what do I need to know? How do I go about ordering the correct chain and what tool do I need to do the swap?

Cheers,
Dave

[skidMark]

So, I've had this bike for about a month now. A VTR250 - I'm not a learner so the rest is clearly a longer story. I've never really been happy with the chain.

I went for a ride earlier this afternoon, just a quickie, and when I came back saw that the chain was dangling like ... bad analogies everywhere ... a dangly thing. So I've adjusted it for 30mm or so of slack and have just come back from taking it for another ride.

It's ... noisy. More to the point you can hear that it's not worn the same way all the way through and makes a kinds "shhhUUnnkksshhhUUnnkkkk" noise as you trundle along. I don't really like the idea of it going bang on SH1 during my morning commute. The adjusters are also nearly at the end of their range so that would seem to indicate the chain is not long of this earth. Holding the bit that's laying across the sprockets, you can lift it up a bit (2-3mm maybe) but not a huge amount.

I vaguely recall Steffi (previous owner) having some over enthusiastic boys tightening the chain way too much for her at (shudder) Manfield, but I must admit that I thought the chain had been changed since then. Although it may have been by the same enthusiastic boys.

The sprockets themselves look OK. They look symmetrical, for instance. But I understand that them in the know reckon changing both at once is the way to go. I'm not entirely keen.

So, what say ye? Does it sound buggered to you? Also, if I were to attempt a chain transplant at home, what do I need to know? How do I go about ordering the correct chain and what tool do I need to do the swap?

Cheers,
Dave


A tool that costs $300...

Get bike shop to do it, by the time you fluff about removing rear wheel, sprocket covers etc to get at sprockets, not to mention most likely a rattle gun to get front sprocket off, then again you may get lucky and in would have 2 small 10mm headed bolts, and the little bracket.

You must do chain and sprockets at once mate, or youve just wasted the money on the chain, they have to wear together otherwise the new chain wont match up and it will wear out silly quick...

Get an o-ring chain and sprockets, solid link are rubbish, you seriously need to sped the extra 30-40 buckers... so about 130 for chain...50-60 for rear sprocket...and about 22-28 bucks for a front sprocket.

keep it lubed and it'll last you 20,000 k's easy.

Hope that helps.

Skid.

[erik]

I think if the chain is overtightened it can make that noise. Try pushing down on the rear (full body weight) and seeing how tight the chain is then, it'll give you an idea of what it's like when you're riding.

I've had luck just replacing the chain itself on my bandit. When I first got it, the chain had worn unevenly, turning the wheel checking the chain tightness you could see it was different at different points (so when you adjust it at one point, it'll be too tight/loose at another point). Anyway, the sprockets looked ok, so I got a cheap non-o-ring chain. I've kept it well oiled (probably better oiled than most people bother to do). It's lasted me 35,000km so far.

If the current chain has a clip master link, it shouldn't be difficult to remove the clip and take the chain off. Otherwise you might have to grind the rivets on a link and push the pins through to get it apart. You could replace it with either a o-ring or non-o-ring chain with a clip. You just need a pair of pliers (just the ones with a short flat nose) to remove/install the clip. When you're replacing the chain, if you're not doing the sprockets, you can attach the new chain to the old and feed it through, so you don't even need to remove the sprocket cover, but it wouldn't hurt to anyway and give it a clean... Make sure you put the clip on the new chain in the right direction, so that the open end faces away from the direction the chain is going. The chain size should be stamped on the side of the links.

Why did I spend all that time typing that, I should've just directed you here:

http://www.dansmc.com/rearchain.htm

[Jantar]

Bad news Dave, Your chain is rooted, and even if the sprockets appear ok they will quickly wear out the next chain if you don't replace both together.

I had a new chain and front sprocket fitted to my bike at 18,000 kms but at the time couldn't get the correct rear sprocket, but it looked OK. Now only 10,000 kms later the new chain is just about due to be changed. This time it will be everything at once.

[xwhatsit]

Put a cheap non-O-ring chain on it. It'll wear out faster than normal, but it only cost $40. After that goes, put a good chain and sprockets on.

[RantyDave]

Thanks guys. So the story is basically that I can put a cheap chain on at home and buy myself 10,000k for $40 or so ... or do it properly in the first place, get a shop to do it, and be up for about $250.

It's a *bit* of a quandry because I'm only really planning on keeping the bike for the next six months and also I find my reliance on bike shops kinda lame really. OTOH I don't fancy selling it in six months time with "really needs new chain and sprockets" ... and a bike shitting itself on the morning ride in would probably cost me more than the $250 in the first place.

I'd also like someone to stick a gas analyser up it's butt because I think it's running rich - perhaps I should just get them both done at once.

Sigh. Oh well.

Dave

[toebug]

Better to spend the money on the maintanence than to have it shit itself when you dont want it too!!

[CookMySock]

don't ride it like this ay, coz it will throw the chain and smash the gearbox housing or pinch a bearing.

DB

[homer]

[QUOTE=RantyDave;1538583]Thanks guys. So the story is basically that I can put a cheap chain on at home and buy myself 10,000k for $40 or so ... or do it properly in the first place, get a shop to do it, and be up for about $250.

It's a *bit* of a quandry because I'm only really planning on keeping the bike for the next six months and also I find my reliance on bike shops kinda lame really. OTOH I don't fancy selling it in six months time with "really needs new chain and sprockets" ... and a bike shitting itself on the morning ride in would probably cost me more than the $250 in the first place.

I'd also like someone to stick a gas analyser up it's butt because I think it's running rich - perhaps I should just get them both done at once.

Sigh. Oh well.

I think its a worth while cost doing all the chain and sprockets at the same time .
get good stuff.

Reasoning for this :
as you say will only keep bike maybe 6 months . if you keep it longer itll be good as .
Also when you sell it youll have the expense then any ways , so you may as well get the chain and sprockets done now .
At least that way you get nice new smooth use of it up till sale day .
Then the buyer also thinks hes geting it good cause he dosnt have to fork out for it straight away .

[avgas]

Better to spend the money on the maintanence than to have it shit itself when you dont want it too!!
seconded.
Change the chain, if sprockets look good as you can put a good chain on as chances are they will not wear out before a good chain anywho.

[xwhatsit]

Better to spend the money on the maintanence than to have it shit itself when you dont want it too!!
A cheap standard chain isn't going to `shit itself', maybe it'll chuck a joiner link if you don't know how to put one on, but everybody carries spare split links anyway, don't they? Unless you buy the most horrible melted-Soviet-tank Chinese chain and fit it to a Firestorm, you're not going to go around snapping chains. Cheap non-O-ring chain will just stretch fast. Learn how to adjust your chain, then :rolleyes:

[CookMySock]

A cheap standard chain isn't going to `shit itself', maybe it'll chuck a joiner link if you don't know how to put one onif a chain is making binding and pinching noises, and its been adjusted and adjusted and adjusted, then I would say you are asking for trouble running it. It will freak out eventually.

Just my opinion..

DB

[xwhatsit]

if a chain is making binding and pinching noises, and its been adjusted and adjusted and adjusted, then I would say you are asking for trouble running it. It will freak out eventually.

Just my opinion..

DB
This would be a new chain that he's buying, not the shagged out old one I'm talking about.

[CookMySock]

This would be a new chain that he's buying, not the shagged out old one I'm talking about.Oh scuse.

DB

[Taz]

Just ensure the sprockets are in good condition as a new chain on worn sprockets is as bad as a worn chain on new sprockets. If sprockets are no good you won;t get 10000k out of your cheap chain and you would run the risk of the chain coming off which can then cost you far in excess of what you saved by making do.

[Squiggles]

Last "cheap" chain i bought was $45, and for a GN i ride to uni, and probably will ride till its death.

Skimping doing the chain and sprockets together suggests to me, that a person is the type of owner who will skimp on the extra maintenance, valve clearances and the likes, or not change some fluid because its that wee bit harder to get at, or run the pads down till they make the grinding noise of metal on disk rather than replacing them when they reach the wear markers.

Thats what i'd think if i was to see your VTR in a few months, with a cheapy chain and clip link with worn sprockets.
And yes, that is what i think when i go see bikes people want to buy. Its always easy to spot the quick fixes, and the lack of love.

Xring all the way, the one on Hanne's zzr250 cost $230 including sprockets and fitting from cycletreads, and its not going to fail or wear out anytime soon. Everyone loves a nice clean gold xring, makes it easy to sell.

Why not just do it once and do it properly?

[Skunk]

Do it once, do it right. If ya need a hand come round here and I'll help.

[quallman1234]

Do it your self, all you need is a grinder and a punch and hamer, and a something to clip the joining link on. None of this 300$ tool shit.

[RantyDave]

Fantastic! Some new bits and a visit to the legendary skunkworks bucket factory and we are good to go!

Dave

[Nade]

um yer..I went an bought a new o-ring chain..cost $80.
Gota grinder out...cut it to length...fitted the joiner that came with the chain....and wotdoyaknow.....it fitted..tensioned up...and has been on the bike for about 12 000kms....and its fine...so are the sprockets. haven't changed them since I bought the bike. All the guys I have ridden with have said...keep the chain and sprockets lubed all the time and you won't have any problems.....change the sprockets once in a while....maybe every second chain change. Has worked for me for 15 years with no problems.:headbang:

[Skunk]

Same advice I gave RantyDave.