Topic: can i run without a chain guard

[cb650 bobber]

I am going for the minimalist look on my bike should I keep the chain guard on and black it our or just remove it....didnt know if this is a really bad idea or not which it may be.

[canyon750]

I've been running without a chain guard for over a year now.  The only issues you need to worry about are the chain lube getting on your back wheel and if the chain breaks it could shred your leg pretty good.  But we are truly all slaves to fashion and good looking bikes aren't we?!   

[SteveD CB500F]

The chain snapped on my 500/4 back in the 70's (bike in avatar). I had an aftermarket chrome chainguard fitted. I went back up the road and picked up the chain.  The metal chain guard had the imprint of the chain along it's length.

I rest my case.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

You also run the risk of an uncontroled broken chain getting caught up in the back wheel.  The affects of that happening at speed would be rather dramatic, me thinks!

[ProTeal55]

Remove it if you want.
Plus, do you really think some chinsey plastic chain guard is gonna stop a broken chain spinning at 5,000rpm's ?

[Irishguy]

You also run the risk of an uncontroled broken chain getting caught up in the back wheel.  The affects of that happening at speed would be rather dramatic, me thinks!

Well...  I was gonna' leave my chain guard off my CB500 cafe build, but now I'm not so sure.  You guys really know how to put the fewr of God in people    I'm now having all of these mental horror movies playing through my head of missing body parts and stuff.  Sheeze...

[OldSchool_IsCool]

You also run the risk of an uncontroled broken chain getting caught up in the back wheel.  The affects of that happening at speed would be rather dramatic, me thinks!

Well...  I was gonna' leave my chain guard off my CB500 cafe build, but now I'm not so sure.  You guys really know how to put the fewr of God in people    I'm now having all of these mental horror movies playing through my head of missing body parts and stuff.  Sheeze...

Good!  When you work on these bikes, and especally when you mod them, you ALWAYS need to be thinking about what might happen under failure conditions.  Thats the best way for a young biker to become an old biker.

[Swede]

This has been a debate in my head for sometime now.  I don't have the chain guard on my 76 550K but I am seriously thinking about putting it back on.  I like the look with it off but safety is important.  If you have any doubts about what a plastic chain guard will do take a look at this thread.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=19812.0

[TwoTired]

If you EVER carry a passenger keep the chain guard.  Unless, of course, you enjoy shredding bits of passenger anatomy.

Plus, do you really think some chinsey plastic chain guard is gonna stop a broken chain spinning at 5,000rpm's ?

I absolutely DO think the plastic chain guard is capable of absorbing or deflecting energy from a broken chain.  In fact ANY energy not absorbed by my body parts is welcome in such a case.

It is quite interesting what some people recommend others do.   

[super pasty white guy]

There's a photo on here somewhere of a bike with a chain guard made from stainless steel.  It was very minimal- practically unnoticable.  If you really want the look, you might consider that route.

Found it-
http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/Daniel+Melander/P8170173liten.JPG.html

[736cc]

Every racebike I've ever seen runs w/o a chainguard except maybe superstock

[MoTo-BunnY]

Every racebike I've ever seen runs w/o a chainguard except maybe superstock

But don't the race guys also wear all the protective leathers, too, though?   Might be a bit of a difference in outcome if the chain breaks and you have on just light pants or something with that chain flailing around.

All I know is I wouldn't get on the back of any bike that didn't have a chain guard on it, fo' sure.. . .because I kinda like the idea of being able to wear a skirt without scar marks all over my legs!    yikes..  .. 


OH, also, regarding peeps comments about the plastic chain guard. I kinda thought with the guard on my CB500 being old and the plastic probably pretty dried out, that it might not be that resistant to the chain either, so I replaced it with a chrome metal one off a CB750 (see avatar). Took a bit of modifying to make it work but its a lot better, me thinks.

[ProTeal55]

It is quite interesting what some people recommend others do.   

I don't have chain guards on ANY of my bikes (never have).
The question was could he run with it off, and the answer is yes (if he wants too).
Obviously it is his choice, and to each their own.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Good point PT,

We're all free to mod our scoots as we wish within the laws of physics and jurisprudence.  As for myself, I try to include Darwin's laws too!

[736cc]

All I know is I wouldn't get on the back of any bike that didn't have a chain guard on it, fo' sure.. . .because I kinda like the idea of being able to wear a skirt without scar marks all over my legs!    yikes..  .. 

scars look good on guys but not on gals

[Gordon]

Actually, the plastic chain guards can and do deflect a chain spinning at high speed very well. 

[mlinder]

My chainguard is metal... but it isn't on my bike....

[Tower]

In our neck of the woods, the chainguard must be on the bike for (re)certification and licensing.

But, I'm with ProTeal55: who needs a guard - plastic or other, when pants, boots and calf muscles can easily stop chain oil splatter and even a spinning chain!   I'll bet blood and flesh splatter would sure draw lots of attention too.  But, each to their own    

[beta1042]

My bike didn't have one when I got it, but then again it was missing alot of parts.  The lack of the guard does make you clean your bike a little more often.  The chain really slings your lube on the wheel and the bottom of the frame.  Looking to fab up one here shortly to see what difference it makes.

[cb650 bobber]

I might just black mine out and maybe modify it after that if i dont like the way it looks....thanks guys alll the negatives you guys mentioned are to much to make up for the small increase in looks.

[xtalon]

I took the chainguard off my current project, but I'm still debating it.  If I was the only one to ride my bike, I would leave it off... period. My risk - my choice.  However, since I will be riding a passenger occasionally, I would hate to risk hurting someone else due to my choice.

On the other hand, if you run a modern high quality chain (ex: DID, RK, etc), that is made to handle the power of modern sportbikes (ex: 185 claimed HP for the 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000), I think you are fairly safe with a vintage bike with about a third of that juice.  Although, I'm sure other factors can play a role, like proper adjustment and maintenance.

You can do it, but the dilema is trying to determine the actual risk and whether that risk is worth taking or not... and for what gain?  Only you can decide.

--xTalon

[gregwaits]

All I know is I wouldn't get on the back of any bike that didn't have a chain guard on it, fo' sure.. . .because I kinda like the idea of being able to wear a skirt without scar marks all over my legs!    yikes..  .. 

scars look good on guys but not on gals

As do skirts!

[GoatBaSS]

Black it out, Black it out, Ohh ohh ohh. Spray paint is cheap now... 

[MoTo-BunnY]

All I know is I wouldn't get on the back of any bike that didn't have a chain guard on it, fo' sure.. . .because I kinda like the idea of being able to wear a skirt without scar marks all over my legs!    yikes..  .. 

scars look good on guys but not on gals

As do skirts!

LOL. .. .yah, i would have to tend to agree except for kilts. Those look hot on the right guy, like a guy maybe with all one length beard and hair (looking like a Braveheart extra) and big enough so no one is going to even think of calling his kilt a skirt. . .        

[petescb]

Toss it.  You won't need it and you won't even miss it.  The bike looks a lot better without it anyway.