Author Topic: How do you know when a chain ought be replaced?  (Read 1417 times)

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bleuquila

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How do you know when a chain ought be replaced?
« on: June 09, 2005, 09:11:02 AM »
Title pretty much sums it up, I've got a 72 CB500 that's been in a barn in new england for 5 years.  Trying to get it road-worthy, tires go on this weekend.  While the rear is off I was investigating the sprocket and chain, and well ....  how do I know if they are still good?  And, if they *aren't* good, what's going to happen if I keep using them anyhow?  Sudden and violent failure, or gradual decrease in performance?  Which is to say:  will I i die, or will the bike just stop going forward, or what?

Offline Paul

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Re: How do you know when a chain ought be replaced?
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2005, 09:20:03 AM »
After five years.......it's gone. but generally,There should be no tight spots or stiff links, approx 15mm of movement up and down in the centre of the lower part of the chain, any more and it needs to be pulled back, If it has to be pulled back a lot, it's stretched and needs replacing. If you lay the chain out, presuming its not all gunked up, you should not be able to move two adjacant links in & out. Replace the sprockets with the chain as they wear in unison with each other, A new chain on old sprockets will wear faster and may even ride the teeth. If the chain breaks it may gouge your engine casing as well as your chin and your ass.
Paul.
It hurts to admit when you've made mistakes, But when the're big enough, the pain only lasts a second

bleuquila

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Re: How do you know when a chain ought be replaced?
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2005, 10:29:51 AM »
alright, better safe than sorry I suppose. 

Now, I'm a complete n00b at this stuff, is there a particular brand I want to look for?  I'm reading through the Buying parts FAQ (brilliant, by the way) and .. there are just so many options! Especially for sprockets... gosh. I just want something that will work, and last and be economical, but I can't seem to find that search setting  :D

Also, do certain chains go with certain sprockets, or is it more important that I just be buying both at the same time?

Barrett99

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Re: How do you know when a chain ought be replaced?
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2005, 10:52:26 AM »
The old sprockets should have a number stamped on them, this indicates the number of teeth.  Stick with the stock sprocket sizes and chain size, which is probably a 530 standard chain.  Chain can be ordered by the number
of links.  Check out Dennis Kirk (denniskirk.com) for their chain and sprocket selections, prices are reasonable and
shipping is cheap.  Stick with steel sprockets and use a heavy duty standard chain.  Avoid using O-ring chains since
these chains are a bit wider than a standard chain and will rub the cases, eventually causing leakage or other bad things to happen.