Chain Breaking

[YetiWoodz]

I put my chain on with the recommended half inch of slack. I live in Pennsylvania, so the harsh weather makes the roads really crappy. There's bumps, crack, potholes, and patches everywhere. All I did was run over a crack and my chain flew into pieces. Is it ok to put my chain on tighter? Any other suggestions?

 

[YetiWoodz]

And no, I can't avoid the cracks, sometimes they go across the entire road

 

[mony0_3]

Seem it was too tight to me.

 

[YetiWoodz]

You know what, I think you're right. The only problem is, to make it looser I have to add 2 more links. An inside and a master. Then it's way too loose even with the chain tensioner raised and close to the back sprocket. But I'll try playing around with it a little more once my new chain delivers.

 

[mony0_3]

Slide the tensioner back or forth to make up for the play.

 

[GreasyChris]

The stock chain that comes with the kits isn't very good. You could use 415 or if your having issues with adjustments you can use a half link. I personally use kmc 710hl but you'll have to file down the teeth on your chain sprocket a little bit to fit.

 

[Frogslayer]

You know what, I think you're right. The only problem is, to make it looser I have to add 2 more links. An inside and a master. Then it's way too loose even with the chain tensioner raised and close to the back sprocket. But I'll try playing around with it a little more once my new chain delivers.

Sounds like you could use what's called a half link

Edit Chris beat me to it lol. I use the thinner chain like him also.

 

[aquielisunari]

There's a lot you can do with those two links worth of space. You can lift the engine up the space of 2 links and use the u-clamps to hold onto your bike instead of just the c-clamps and bolts. Sliding the tensioner has already been mentioned. Moving the wheel back in the drop-outs might be an option. Personally I prefer to raise the engine.


Where did the chain break? If it keeps breaking at the master link you installed you might have the clip backwards. If that clip is a U you always want to closed end of the U feeding into the engine. At least that's what I do.

Put a straight edge against the engine to your rear sprocket. If it makes a straight line, that's good. If not then alignment issues are present. I can stand over my chain and look to see if the links are all parallel.

 

[YetiWoodz]

I'm not sure where it broke. But about 1/3 of the chain links came off into separate pieces, pins out, some links bent.

 

[Frogslayer]

Must be rubbing somewhere, post some pictures of your chain stays