Author Topic: Chain fail. (Read 4574 times)

TravisB · « **on:** December 12, 2012, 12:53:13 PM »

So my chain came apart on me today, luckily I was only doing ~15mph and was two blocks from my house. It appears that the only damage was a nice dent in my chain guard and a hosed chain. I'm definitely ordering a new chain tonight (530/100 solid roller), the PO apparently had an o-ringer on there, ugh.

Do I also need to go ahead and replace my sprockets?

70CB750 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:04:02 PM »

I would replace it as a set, unless you have records how many miles is on sprockets.

Any idea why the chain fail? O-ring or not it should not happen.

TravisB · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:07:12 PM »

Not sure why it failed, but it came apart at the linkage.

chickenman_26 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:07:40 PM »

Quote from: TravisB on December 12, 2012, 12:53:13 PM

So my chain came apart on me today, luckily I was only doing ~15mph and was two blocks from my house. It appears that the only damage was a nice dent in my chain guard and a hosed chain. I'm definitely ordering a new chain tonight (530/100 solid roller), the PO apparently had an o-ringer on there, ugh.

Do I also need to go ahead and replace my sprockets?

Though they do show a little wear, your sprockets appear serviceable. But putting a new chain on used sprockets tends to accelerate wear on the new chain. Your choice...
BTW, my hunch is the master link came apart. Make sure the clip on the new one has the closed end facing the direction of chain travel - bike rolling forward.
Blowing up that chain pic as large as possible, it doesn't appear to be an O ring type. If it is, check for damage on the crankcase at the front sprocket area. O ring 530 chains don't fit a CB500/550 without interference.

TravisB · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:12:58 PM »

What do you mean by serviceable aside from needing a good
Clean?

chickenman_26 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:27:48 PM »

Quote from: TravisB on December 12, 2012, 01:12:58 PM

What do you mean by serviceable aside from needing a good
Clean?

I mean they're obviously used, but the teeth don't appear hooked. Badly worn sprocket teeth appear to point forward or back, depending on whether they're a front or rear sprocket, due to material having been worn away from the side of the tooth under load.

Stu

gto_ron · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:39:14 PM »

Remember, my question is from a newby CB750 owner. Can you simply clean up, turn the sprockets over and re-use them? It seems reasonable but I don't have the experience to know if it is.

regards

ekpent · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:41:44 PM »

Is that a 550 Travis ?. Do not own one but from what I have read the o-ring chains seem to rub and tear up a rubber seal under the cover by the countershaft sprocket. What kind of new chain are you buying ?

ekpent · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:43:21 PM »

Quote from: gto_ron on December 12, 2012, 01:39:14 PM

Remember, my question is from a newby CB750 owner. Can you simply clean up, turn the sprockets over and re-use them? It seems reasonable but I don't have the experience to know if it is.

regards

I would not do that.

TravisB · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:44:40 PM »

I'm going to go with this chain

http://montecdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=530SR100

...tentatively speaking. And yes it is a 1975 CB550F SS.

ekpent · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:46:46 PM »

Wow at $13.60 that sure is low cost. Interesting to hear others comments.

TravisB · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:59:15 PM »

I'm open to other options, it was something that I found referenced here .

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:17:16 PM »

$13.60!!?? You gotta be #$%*ting me! I know it's very tempting but...that'll be worse that the one that came apart which looks pretty flimsy to me. A good chain is an investment. May never need to be replaced. Won't stretch constantly. Won't need to be adjusted constantly. Won't break your engine. Won't take you down because it likely won't break. ETC. My bike is obviously different than yours with a high performance expensive 750 engine approaching 100hp and which I wish to protect. I managed to pick up a 530 for mine with ~12,000lb tensile strength for $90 on EBay. That's upper strength limits and a serious chain. That may seem expensive compared to $13.60 but that strength chain will retail $150 - $175. INVESTMENT. Anyway, I have been at the point in my life where I had to go inexpensive. That, or not ride.

Shane72 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:21:21 PM »

Chains and sprockets are not an area I would try to save money very aggressively.

Seeing that yours broke at only 15 mph near home, count yourself lucky.

Mine broke at 55 mph, about 10 miles from home at 7:30 am after working all night back in 1988. Engine case was broken by the loose end flipping around the front sprocket, at least it didn't get bound up in the rear wheel.

Once the final drive components show visible wear, they are on the way out for me.

YMMV,

Shane

CrankyOldGuy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:45:51 PM »

My chain broke while I was leaving a parking spot and punched a hole in the crankcase. Speed apparently is not issue to cause catastrophic damage. The chain and sprockets in my opinion is a case where the least expensive option should be avoided. Looking at a hole in the crankcase makes your heart sink a bit

Harry O.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:53:26 PM »

Quote from: TravisB on December 12, 2012, 01:44:40 PM

I'm going to go with this chain

http://montecdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=530SR100

...tentatively speaking. And yes it is a 1975 CB550F SS.

I would NEVER buy a cheap chain regardless of what anyone tells you, and there is nothing wrong with good O ring chains, i have owned 140+ HP bikes with 530 O ring chains and never had a failure. Proper maintenance and regular checking will help you never having to experience a broken chain. Do some research online.....

lucky · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:57:36 PM »

Just replace both sprockets and the chain.
Use a #530 REGULAR non o-ring chain with master link clip.

lrutt · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:44:27 PM »

and learn how to PROPERLY put on a master link. Clip in the right direction, fully engaged and secured. And if you're really paranoid, safety wire it.

Killer Canary · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2012, 04:05:05 PM »

I found a hidden danger in a couple of o-ring chains I've used; the side plates had to be squeezed together so hard to get the safety clip on that there was no longer any side pressure and it duly flew off.When I did a chain inspection, the safety clip was just gone and the chain was still holding together. This happened on two different bikes. I check often and keep spare clips around.

TravisB · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2012, 05:01:36 PM »

What about either of these chains?

http://www.amazon.com/RK-Racing-Chain-530KS-100-Connecting/dp/B007A8L05E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1355359998&sr=8-3&keywords=530+motorcycle+chain+100+link

http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-530-Standard-100-Natural/dp/B000OO0W00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355359998&sr=8-1&keywords=530+motorcycle+chain+100+link

With amazon prime I'll have the bike back on the road by Friday...........

BobbyR · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2012, 05:31:23 PM »

Quote from: TravisB on December 12, 2012, 01:44:40 PM

I'm going to go with this chain

http://montecdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=530SR100

...tentatively speaking. And yes it is a 1975 CB550F SS.

I would be very careful with these "cheap" chains. There are roller chains made to run industrial machinery at low speeds like conveyer belts. Like I said low speed and minimal torque.

These Industrial chains are made by all the big makers for these industrial purposes in all the standard sizes. They are a different alloy, they are made for a purpose. They are not made for running at high speeds, and they are not made for the snap a bike exerts shifting gears and during take off.

In other words the cheap chain can cost you big time.

TravisB · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:12:09 PM »

Thanks for steering me away from buying a cheap chain, I don't want another to come apart on me...

Any input on either of those chains on amazon.com?

wvshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:44:47 PM »

Quote

Thanks for steering me away from buying a cheap chain,

Good move! There's a reason good bike chains cost what they do.

Also, I'm doing a restore on a '74 750. The sprockets had barely discernible wear, but it's getting a new chain so it's also getting new sprockets.

Shane72 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:56:43 PM »

Quote from: TravisB on December 12, 2012, 06:12:09 PM

Thanks for steering me away from buying a cheap chain, I don't want another to come apart on me...

Any input on either of those chains on amazon.com?

Given the choice, I'd opt for the RK brand over the Bikemaster brand, having encountered both over the years.

Not sure if they still do it, but RK once replaced a chain for me under warranty that didn't safely last the 20,000 guaranteed miles. My poor cleaning and adjustment practice back in the day was mostly to blame, but it didn't matter--free chain!

All else being equal, I like to use O-ring type chains wherever they fit. Also, riveted (peened) master links make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

All the best,

Shane

PeWe · « **Reply #24 on:** December 13, 2012, 03:33:36 AM »

Why not a good chain?
O-ring or X-ring chain AND both sprockets of good quality.

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Author Topic: Chain fail. (Read 4574 times)