Chain, help!

[Big Dog]

Many shops can sell you chain and sprocket kits for not much more than the price of a chain so no need to worry about the cost of sprockets if you are buying a chain anyway.

You should replace your sprockets with you chain anyway to avoid unneccessary wear.

[Big Dog]

I have had 30,000 out of a link chain before but had to adjust it weekly. I had my current rivet link for over a year before I had to adjust it.

Your chain is only as strong as its weakest link, imagine using a substandard link!

[Posh Tourer :P]

As I understand it that just means it needs adjusting.

To test wether it needs replacing adjust it then grab the bottom run of chain and see how much it will rotate. A new chain won't. as the bushes get more worn it rotates further. Basically if you can rotate it more than a few degrees it's knackered.

Wrong BigDog, what SVS (? - I think) is saying is that when you have the chain on the sprocket, and you try and pull it out from the middle of the "attached to sprocket" area, it shouldnt come off much. If it is able to pull away from the sprocket, you have a worn chain, as it will be all loose and able to stretch out a bit.

[Motoracer]

However if the bike has a small back sprocket can you get away with a chain two links shorter or do you need to go back to stock gearing?

WT you said the bike had a 520 conversion - what is it normally - 530?

If so Motoracer what use are you putting the bike to are you racing it? If not maybe consider going back to stock which I'm guessing is a stronger 530 chain with wider sprocket teeth - more friction I guess but should last longer. Many shops can sell you chain and sprocket kits for not much more than the price of a chain so no need to worry about the cost of sprockets if you are buying a chain anyway.

Ok, luckily from my spares box for the ZXR, I found out that I had bought a brand new 520 - 108 link chain and never used it. Its quite a lot shorter than 112 but with a bit of luck, it just might do the trick.

The bike is mainly for the road, some track day use and a few club races if I am lucky, so 530 wouldn't be a bad call for the long run. For now thoe, I just hope the ZXR chain fits the GSXR. But if it doesn't work or ones I am done with this chain, I'll look into a 530 with a bigger back sprocket. thanx again!

MR

[Big Dog]

Wrong BigDog, what SVS (? - I think) is saying is that when you have the chain on the sprocket, and you try and pull it out from the middle of the "attached to sprocket" area, it shouldnt come off much. If it is able to pull away from the sprocket, you have a worn chain, as it will be all loose and able to stretch out a bit.

Never let it be said that I am never wrong. Cheers for that.

[merv]

Ok, luckily from my spares box for the ZXR, I found out that I had bought a brand new 520 - 108 link chain and never used it. Its quite a lot shorter than 112 but with a bit of luck, it just might do the trick.

The bike is mainly for the road, some track day use and a few club races if I am lucky, so 530 wouldn't be a bad call for the long run. For now thoe, I just hope the ZXR chain fits the GSXR. But if it doesn't work or ones I am done with this chain, I'll look into a 530 with a bigger back sprocket. thanx again!

MR

WT never answered but would it be a 530 chain stock?

As for 4 links less I suspect that will be too short because that is a big difference but no harm checking if it is OK. Depends on how many teeth smaller that back sprocket is and how much adjustment you have.

[merv]

... and have you got the tools to do the joining link?

[Motoracer]

... and have you got the tools to do the joining link?

I am planing to drill out the pins. My new chain has the detachable link with a clip.

[White trash]

WT never answered but would it be a 530 chain stock?

As for 4 links less I suspect that will be too short because that is a big difference but no harm checking if it is OK. Depends on how many teeth smaller that back sprocket is and how much adjustment you have.

Sorry Merv.

Busy having a heated discussion elsewhere, not paying attention

yeah you're right. 530 is stock. 520 for less resistance (especially when the riders over 100kg. Sorry Yo-show!)

[merv]

I am planing to drill out the pins. My new chain has the detachable link with a clip.

OK now don't be silly, no-one would recommend a detachable link with clip on a 100hp+ bike. That's what we've been talking about for the last few days. Best you get down to the shop and buy a rivet type link if you can fit one to that chain or buy a new chain. Your life is not worth the risk of a link that could fail.

See Big Dog's comment about weakest link.

When a chain lets go you can have a locked wheel and go splat - not a pretty thought eh!

[Motoracer]

especially when the riders over 100kg. Sorry Yo-show!

No wonder the suspention set up is all wrong for me! It'll be great to ask you guys on the 23rd and set it up there and then properly.

[Motoracer]

Oh ok, now I get ya properly Merv and Big D, I'll get it done properly by the shop then. Can't really afford to buy the tools right now.

I've never owned anything bigger than a 4 hundy untill now so I never knew this rule about chains. Thanx a mill again!

[White trash]

Hey Sudeep! Ask Yo what happens when a chain comes off a race bike.

The only REAL big crash he had was at Taupo coming onto the front straight when a chain from the bike in front came off (split link strikes again!) and went straight under his front wheel.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Never let it be said that I am never wrong. Cheers for that.

That was a bit blunt wasnt it... sorry

[merv]

Hey Sudeep! Ask Yo what happens when a chain comes off a race bike.

The only REAL big crash he had was at Taupo coming onto the front straight when a chain from the bike in front came off (split link strikes again!) and went straight under his front wheel.

That's another whole element to this story when I was just thinking of the small chance of it wrapping round the back sprocket and locking the wheel as opposed to just falling on the ground which it will probably do most of the time if its not wrapped around your gearbox sprocket maybe cracking the engine case in the process.

Anyway glad Motoracer gets the picture and he will get the chain replaced properly.