Chain fell off

[Motoracer]

Yup thats definetly true (about the o-ring chain sucking power). I spent 2 and a half hours working on my chain for the TZR last night. I scrubbed off all the crap from it with kerosean and a tooth brush (twice), then adjusted the chain to its perfect tention, then checked the wheel alignment, then I lubed it with some fancy chain oil with a paint brush (just to make sure the lube was well spread). It was 11:00 PM when I finished working on it

Can't wait till I take it out on a ride on Sunday

[marty]

well i reckon i've just figured out why the chain came off the front sprocket so cleanly. the tool kit, usually housed in the rear cowl with a retainer strap, well the rubber broke. the tool kit vibrated open, and one of the allen keys (i know this cause 1 is missing...) has rattled forward inside the cowling, and must have dropped onto the chain. i found another allen key hovering around the battery ready to make some fireworks fun. a tinnie rattle which i thought was the kick stand, turned out tot be the reversible srewdriver shaft sitting end on against the back of the engine, ready to cause me all sorts of grief.
i got scared, and pulled the bike to bits looking for other tools, but couldn't find any.

lesson 5. (read 1st post for 1-4) don't take ANYTHING for granted

[Andrew]

It was embarrasing for me when my chain came off on the Coromandel ride.

My solution was to spend at bit of cash and replace chain and sprockets. Simple but sweet, I'm a happy chappy for doing it.

[wkid_one]

What you have to remember is when you check the chain tension - 30-50mm - also check the looseness by seeing if you can pull the chain off the rear sprocket.  This is what will cause the chain to spit off.  Just pull on the chain where it runs over the sprocket  - if you can start to see the teeth of the rear spocket - change it, regardless of how much adjustment you have left

[Dave]

I've never heard of lockwiring a chain link, I was looking at it after reading your post and i don't think its possible.
if the retaining clip is on theres nothing left to wrap the lock wire around, and the pins are hardened so that rules out drilling through it for the wire.
Heres what i do.
1.New retaining clip

2.fitted in the right direction (has anyone shown you this?)

3.use orange silicone sealant and cover the clip in it,this stops the clip from being able to move at all and also you can check it at a glance before you go out.(this will become habit)

[Hoon]

Greg Sharpe told me to lockwire and silicon the master link after I told him what happened (I didn't have any silicon at the time).

I'm consider myself pretty careful when putting the chain back on.  I make sure the clip is facing the right way, I also make sure to use the minimum amount of force to get the clip off and on so it doesn't get bent uneccessarily and finally I also check that the clip is properly seated in the pin groves.  I always thought this was good enough so it was quite a shock to my confidence when my master link was missing the next day (I last checked it midday after putting my slick back on and then did another 3 sessions before going home).

After thinking about it a bit more I'm beginning to think the clip didn't come loose from normal road wear but must've got nudged loose by something at the perfect angle, could've been the paddock stand or maybe a toolbox banging into it while in the van that morning.  Whatever it was it is something that could easily happen again regardless of how careful I might be or whatever precautions I may take.

So yeah lockwire is just a bit more added insurance.  It might be a bit overkill but it helps me sleep better at night and is one less thing I have to worry about when I'm out on the track.  I'll invest in some orange silicon too!  Making the link easier to sight and quicker to check will mean I can do it more often like you say!

 

 

[Hoon]

Originally posted by Dave
I've never heard of lockwiring a chain link, I was looking at it after reading your post and i don't think its possible.

Yeah I just poked the wire up the middle (where the sprocket tooth goes) and twisted away.  I honestly didn't think about how it would hold up but its still there so I guess there must be room for it.  I'll keep a close eye on it (and my sprocket teeth too)!!