Topic: A broken chain on a 1972 500/4!!

[jeff15116]

Hi y'all,

Today on the way home, my chain broke and spun off the bike. As far as damage, the chain guard did it's job and got all bent to hell. It also sounds like there might be some damage going on with the front sprocket. The replacement of the chain and the sprockets was on the to-do list for this weekend strangely enough. What are some recommendations for a replacement chain and some sprockets? Also, what should I look for as far as damage done at the front sprocket?

The sound of that chain breaking at 5k RPM wasn't the oddest thing. The oddest thing about the whole experience was a Harley rider stopped by to help me! Now I need to go back and re-examine stereotypes......or something.....

Thanks for any help,

Jeff

[bryanj]

You may well have broken the clutch pushrod(suposed to be in one piece!) and damaged the steel guard bolted to the sprocket cover. 500/550 rarely, if ever, damage crankcases when chain breaks

DO NOT fit an "O" ring chain

[jeff15116]

Ok. The O ring is out. Is the other option X ring? I obviously know nothing about the chains, unfortunately.  It's 98 links right?

[bistromath]

100 links. Don't use X-ring, either. You need "standard" chain without any sealing rings at all. The rings mean greater chain width, which eats through the cases on 500s and 550s because they don't have enough room to run them. Tsubaki makes good chains. Do a search here for chain maintenance info.

[jeff15116]

Ok, we're looking good. I took a look and it seems like there was no damage done to the pushrod. The clutch is still working smoothly.
Of course, I can't find my chain breaker. And most places are closed. And the NFL starts in a few minutes! So I guess I'll finish the job tomorrow!
Thanks for the help, Bryan and Bistro!