Motorbike snow chains

[ADVGD]

Hi there buggsubique

Mind you, you need something like that with those Vee Rubbers you're running!

Dunlop D605's front and rear my friend

Whats your max speed with chains on? Do they flare out with speed? I image they could eat a rear swingarm for breakfast if too loose.

Front max is 70km/h while rear max is only 40km/h. The chains are tight, but as you mentioned, the swingarm comes into play with high centrifugal force. They can be further adjusted to limit this and comfortably achieve more speed (I've had them up to 60km/h) but this requires a more complex attachment system that takes a lot longer to get them on and off. Quick fitting was an important factor so using them is not a huge ordeal, as they are I can quickly fit the front and rear in under 10 mins and its nice and easy. Most of the trip above (fully laden) I was just chugging along at max of 30km aiming to stay upright... they served me well.

[ADVGD]

I love fly fishing & love riding in snow

You sir have good taste

[buggsubique]

Hi there buggsubique


Dunlop D605's front and rear my friend

Ahhh, fair enough. obviously Vee Rubber plagiarised the tread pattern.

[pete376403]

That's great innovation.
I want some for next Brass Monkey.

Could really have used some of those on the last B/Monkey. ADVGD - How much would you sell a set for? - 17" rear & 21" front

[XF650]

Could really have used some of those on the last B/Monkey. ADVGD - How much would you sell a set for? - 17" rear & 21" front

Yes, especially ironical because I actually supply chain, links etc (amoungst other things).

[ADVGD]

Could really have used some of those on the last B/Monkey. ADVGD - How much would you sell a set for? - 17" rear & 21" front

Get ready to be shocked...

Parts list
-----------
$300 2 X top end car chain sets @$150
$40 centre lining chain
$120 12 X heavy duty springs
$36 24 spring clips
$32 4 X heavy duty stainless carabinas
$100 fabricators fee to wield over 70 joiners

Total for the materials ... $628

With trial and error this first set took the best part of 25 hours to make this included angle grinding the snow chains to extract the required sections, preping the centre lining chains, making 70+ joiners out of close link chain, testing and altering for a snug fit, road testing, assembling ready for wielding, droping into fabricators to wield up, plus running around and getting all the parts...

Now that these final prototypes can be used as a template, I estimate this could be reduced to approximately 8 to 10 hours labour, but with the materials price so high I simply couldn't supply them at a realistic price. I am however more than happy to supply any info to help you if you decide to make some yourself.

There is also this website that sells chains for US$149 ea (NZ$220 ish) - Wunderlich
The site seems to be experiencing problems but will not doubt be up again shortly

[Eddieb]

Wunderlich products are available more locally through http://www.motohansa.com.au/

[Transalper]

Some interesting stuff here... http://dr650.zenseeker.net/Tires.htm
Includes ice studs and some snow chain stuff.

[Underground]

Bit of a rainy day in paradise today so I was mucking around in the shed and I rediscovered these chains we used to use on a V8 falcon ...and thought hmmmm ??
So half an hour and a handful of zip ties later I was out digging in the mud
The only modification I did was to zip tie the chains a couple of links closer on to the bands .
I rode up and down the hill with it and it didnt chew anything off the bike ,but I would be reluctant to get out of first gear incase it did tho.
It tractored up the wet grassy bits real fine and when I stopped on a slope it did what I thought it would and dug a trench , that has been my experience with chains on heavy trucks in the mud too ,they make a huge mess and when forward motion stops the truck ends up buried up to its nuts real quick.
Right , now where's the snow ?

[ADVGD]

It tractored up the wet grassy bits real fine and when I stopped on a slope it did what I thought it would and dug a trench

That's a mighty fine trench Underground, you could easily seal the deal for local council pipe laying contracts with those trench digging capabilities

[NordieBoy]

Anything to get out of getting a new tyre

[Underground]

This might be stretching the topic a bit . but it takes that idea of snow chains just that little bit further

[ADVGD]

This might be stretching the topic a bit . but it takes that idea of snow chains just that little bit further

That's just pure awesomeness

[NordieBoy]

Great for hill climbing but turning may be an issue...