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Chain splitter - do I need one? Chain splitter - do I need one?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 1 Dec 2006
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Lone Rider -

Yes, it was the master link that broke each of the three times. Supposedly these are the weakest links, so I guess that isn't surprising.

Patick -

Regarding my two critical errors, I certainly agree with you regarding Krause chains, and I wish I had known that before I began my trip. I'm far from a newbie regarding motorcycles but still fell for their advertising - 14,000 lb was way more than any other chains rating that I could find. I'm now using an RK x-ring chain that seems excellent. Btw, regarding chain care, I had a Scott Oiler on the bike but turned it off when I got on the 1000 - 1200 miles of unpaved road in Siberia, turned it back on when I was back on pavement.

As far as changing the chain as soon as it started kinking, circumstances prevented that. I was in the middle of Siberia, spoke essentially no Russian, so finding a new chain was impossible. I would have done so if I could have.

As the saying goes, "Sh** Happens." The more remote the trip will be, the more prepared a rider should be. I'll still opt for a chain breaker.

Mike
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www.rtwrider.net
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Last edited by liketoride2; 1 Dec 2006 at 06:11.
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  #17  
Old 2 Dec 2006
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The master link is the weakest place in a chain. They wear out much faster than the chain itself, so I normally replace them every 5000km or so (this is with some offroad/dirt riding as well).

If you want to avoid those problems, use an endless chain. They are made by lots of reputable companies like RK, DID etc.
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  #18  
Old 2 Dec 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LukasM
The master link is the weakest place in a chain. They wear out much faster than the chain itself, so I normally replace them every 5000km or so (this is with some offroad/dirt riding as well).

If you want to avoid those problems, use an endless chain. They are made by lots of reputable companies like RK, DID etc.
The master links are available in both clips and what's called 'riveted'. Riveted, the pins are hollow and their ends expanded, keeping the plate in place. All master links need to be loaded with grease before their o,x,z, whatever rings and plate are pressed on.

Each of us have our own habits and methods of caring for our drivelines.
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  #19  
Old 2 Dec 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
P.S. to install a true endless chain (if you can even buy one) you would have to remove the swingarm!! Think about it.
My GF has bought 2 'endless' OEM replacement chains for her F650..which I've installed...swingarm down/out..she's never taken care of them....both slight and strong suggestions regarding care/maintenance have gone away like with the wind....

Last straw.. I bought a DID 520 120 link that 'she' will install as soon as Chaparral delivers the missing rivet master link. Foot down...

We have a deal on bike travel. If she wants it, she has to carry it. It's been a year since we actually traveled together via moto, but it's been amazing progress. That's for anther story and topic...
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  #20  
Old 2 Dec 2006
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chain tool
I would have to say they're not bad tools and when you have the correct fitting on the tool all the rest of the bits are not needed. There pretty small and I would take one with a few spare links and a bit of extra chain, most enduro riders have this in their tool box(if on a long race)

You could just take a punch & hammer in a new one, to get the old one out use a file. Tool is easier though.

A chain is obviously a vital part of a bike, you would feel silly if the chain came off got snagged and snapped leaving you stuck.

Also look at a case saver
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  #21  
Old 2 Dec 2006
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Who would have thought...
... an innocent question would lead to such heated debate!

And Mollydog
Quote:
Girls don't do chain cleaning....
?
I don't think your confidence in that is warranted. Plenty of attractive greasemonkeys about
(and doesn't it hurt your brain to know THAT much about chains!?)

Thanks all for all of the suggestions. It seems for every spare there is a different preferance, and for every tool there is an alternate use

I'm not smug enough to grin about shaft drives, so think I will source a small, quality chain splitter and sigh happily, knowing that I probably won't need to get it dirty!

And Lone Rider... if I had a man who replaced my chains for me and did the maintenance... well then, I would push my luck too


Time to google for tools
Ciao
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  #22  
Old 5 Dec 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Endless chain? Lucas, please

Endless chains only come on NEW bikes, installed at the factory. See Lone Rider's explanation of RIVET LINKS above.
Mollydog,

As I said before and Lone Rider confirmed, you can also get replacement endless chains.

We put one on a friends KTM EXC a few weeks ago, and I came to help him reassemble it. It is more work (about 5min) to take the swingarm out, but if the chain lasts long enough (with no master link to break) than you can also get in there to replace or service/regrease the swingarm bushings. Might be overkill, but it is cheap insurance if you like to keep maintenance up.

I am not sure if this was a KTM Power Part or a standard DID chain. If you want I can find it out.

I am currently researching DR 650s and since I saw that you have one as well, this place has the endless chain for it: http://www.hessler-motorsport.de/sho...products_id=96

Lukas
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