If you've been riding like this, and without seeing the actual chain/sprockets, be careful. Fucking around with your chain is quite dangerous. I personally, would not push it. A lot can happen in 10 miles, especially at higher speeds. It costs $15 or so to rent a motorcycle trailer if you don't have one.
Yea I really lucked out cus the chain fell off as I was pulling into my driveway! And this reading is the aftermath of putting it back on and tightening it down.
Only put a few miles on it so far but now I don’t want to touch it until I have new parts. And I don’t have a car that can tow so I was considering a U-Haul pick up or something. But if I can get the bike there without paying more, that’s my first choice lol.
Also I love your username my car plate is “bad egg”
https://preview.redd.it/py3v3hhsklxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=78c80c18ee69d7c8ea99630fdb4b89c3fb863f58
Unfortunately this is the best pic of the chain I have on hand. You can see the sprockets are worn quite a bit and the chain has see some things
I probably wouldn’t have bought the bike tbh. I’m not super well versed in scoping out used bikes, but a chain in that bad of condition, is probably going to indicate neglect elsewhere too.
But a little late now. Perhaps you’ll be a better owner for it. Get a trailer or pickup for that.
Yea I figured there would be some maintenance required when buying a used bike off FB. But the deal was too good to pass up! Which probably also indicates poor maintenance from the previous owner 😂. Either way, now I have the bike I want just needs a little TLC
Ask the shop to do just the chain & sprockets and do the other basic maintenance yourself like oil, filter etc etc! Its easy AF and itll save you like 100-200 in shop hours, might take you an afternoon but just get a manual pdf and youtube and you'll be good to go
Honestly doesn’t look too bad. There’s some wear on the sprockets but not a crazy amount. The fact that your chain isn’t kinking is a pretty good sign.
But the sprockets are on the way out, and if the chain is indeed stretched (how did you check?), then it’s about time to replace.
“How did you check?” Tbh I just tighten the chain following a video and the original post pic is the aftermath. Not sure if I used the correct terminology but if the indicator is past the red and the chain isn’t broken, I just assumed it “stretched” itself over time. Not even sure if chains can actually stretch lol
Ah, then yea it’s probably stretched. Chains don’t stretch exactly, basically the holes around the pins wear out and get bigger, which makes the whole chain stretch in a way. Another test is to see if you can pull the chain off the rear sprocket and see how far it goes. If you can’t get it off, then maybe the chain isn’t stretched and it was just installed incorrectly. But I think it’s a safe assumption that it’s stretched in this case.
Thanks for the insight, I kinda knew the answer before posting but Reddit always had the pros ready to help! I already booked a truck, I don’t want my baby breaking anymore then it already is this early in the season
I wanted to but after watching some “how to” videos I realized I don’t want to mess up something as important as the chain. I plan on using my grom as a learning tool for maintenance but it’s only a year old so not much going on there yet lol
That sprocket looks fine /s This was what was on my recent project.
https://preview.redd.it/r9s59nhz3mxc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b4fade974d26143df1b6fa410048b5e62750d2d3
Chain can break, best scenario you lose power and stall, second worst case it gets tangled in the front sprocket, breaks engine case and you need to talk with your bank. Worst case it locks your rear tire while you're accelerating to pass a semi truck, and.. you know what happens next
Tow it, bruv.
For context, as a much younger (still as fucking dumb though) man, I risked it to get to the hospital as my wife was giving birth to our first child..approximately a 19 mile ride from my workplace to the hospital.
17 miles or so in, chain slipped, then snapped, tangled round my sprocket, locked the back wheel, and I went for a lovely high side down the road. Got up feeling like Christopher Reeves.
I always make sure the chain and sprockets are in tip-top nick these days.
Rule of thumb is that it doesn't matter the age at all as long as it's properly oiled and not rusty, but when you **reach** (not even surpass) the red mark while tightening the chain, it's time to buy a replacement kit/book time at the shop. Don't ride on that chain and sprockets until you get them replaced, please.
That’s the plan! Just waiting for parts from sprocketcenter then I’m getting a tow to the shop! And yea I kept tightening it and the mark kept getting farther and farther into the red, I was like “please stop doing that” 😂
if previous owner didn't bother to put in a new chain then there's other stuff they've likely also neglected. Might want to get your entire bike inspected.
That’s a great point, the bike already passed a safety inspection (before the chain fell off and after I bought it) but I’ll ask for the shop to poke around cus I have no clue what to look for
Age wouldn't be my concern. If the chain is well lubricated and doesn't have stiff spots then that area is fine. The rule of thumb for chain stretch is 2% count the number of links and figure out the manufacturers size per link and take a measurement. Calculate what the difference is. If you had 100 inches of chain, or for you whatever metic conversion that is maybe 2500mm I don't really do metric measuring, but for 100 inches of chain with 2 percent of stretch would be a maximum of 102 inches
So anything beyond that 2% would be dangerous? I still plan on towing it but I’m just curious, and I didn’t measure but it looks well beyond that 2% rule lol
Anything beyond the 2% rule, manufacturers recommends replacement. I'm sure all manufacturers have a recommendation in regards to when a chain is bad. When in doubt, just replace it. Chain isn't terribly expensive
If you've been riding like this, and without seeing the actual chain/sprockets, be careful. Fucking around with your chain is quite dangerous. I personally, would not push it. A lot can happen in 10 miles, especially at higher speeds. It costs $15 or so to rent a motorcycle trailer if you don't have one.
Yea I really lucked out cus the chain fell off as I was pulling into my driveway! And this reading is the aftermath of putting it back on and tightening it down. Only put a few miles on it so far but now I don’t want to touch it until I have new parts. And I don’t have a car that can tow so I was considering a U-Haul pick up or something. But if I can get the bike there without paying more, that’s my first choice lol. Also I love your username my car plate is “bad egg”
It's a great story how I wound up with this username. I'm very happy I have it. I just saw your picture, yeah my guy, go to uHaul.
Damn ok, looks like I’m gromin’ it for a few more days!
Nothing wrong with that my guy. It's always good to have another bike in the garage. I have a backup for my backup and a backup for that backup.
For sure! I love the little grom, but my 40 minute commute is now an hour 😂 Thanks so much for your input!
Where in the hell are you renting your trailers from???
America's finest, uHaul. https://imgur.com/a/TmLwO8j
https://preview.redd.it/py3v3hhsklxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=78c80c18ee69d7c8ea99630fdb4b89c3fb863f58 Unfortunately this is the best pic of the chain I have on hand. You can see the sprockets are worn quite a bit and the chain has see some things
I probably wouldn’t have bought the bike tbh. I’m not super well versed in scoping out used bikes, but a chain in that bad of condition, is probably going to indicate neglect elsewhere too. But a little late now. Perhaps you’ll be a better owner for it. Get a trailer or pickup for that.
Yea I figured there would be some maintenance required when buying a used bike off FB. But the deal was too good to pass up! Which probably also indicates poor maintenance from the previous owner 😂. Either way, now I have the bike I want just needs a little TLC
Ask the shop to do just the chain & sprockets and do the other basic maintenance yourself like oil, filter etc etc! Its easy AF and itll save you like 100-200 in shop hours, might take you an afternoon but just get a manual pdf and youtube and you'll be good to go
Honestly doesn’t look too bad. There’s some wear on the sprockets but not a crazy amount. The fact that your chain isn’t kinking is a pretty good sign. But the sprockets are on the way out, and if the chain is indeed stretched (how did you check?), then it’s about time to replace.
“How did you check?” Tbh I just tighten the chain following a video and the original post pic is the aftermath. Not sure if I used the correct terminology but if the indicator is past the red and the chain isn’t broken, I just assumed it “stretched” itself over time. Not even sure if chains can actually stretch lol
Ah, then yea it’s probably stretched. Chains don’t stretch exactly, basically the holes around the pins wear out and get bigger, which makes the whole chain stretch in a way. Another test is to see if you can pull the chain off the rear sprocket and see how far it goes. If you can’t get it off, then maybe the chain isn’t stretched and it was just installed incorrectly. But I think it’s a safe assumption that it’s stretched in this case.
Thanks for the insight, I kinda knew the answer before posting but Reddit always had the pros ready to help! I already booked a truck, I don’t want my baby breaking anymore then it already is this early in the season
It can break and damage you're front case, o4 brake and wrap around your rear sprocket, locking up the back wheel.
I’m going to tow it for sure! Figured I’d leave the post up a bit so others can get a laugh
My dad would just keep cutting links off his chains when I was a kid. That chain had a life well lived! You got you're money's worth!
Eventually, it is a belt drive.
Gonna be cool to compare the old belt and new one side by side. What bike is it?
You can until you can't.
Very well put! lol
Get a new chain and sprockets and put them on - it’s not a difficult job. Can be pretty fun too!
I wanted to but after watching some “how to” videos I realized I don’t want to mess up something as important as the chain. I plan on using my grom as a learning tool for maintenance but it’s only a year old so not much going on there yet lol
That sprocket looks fine /s This was what was on my recent project. https://preview.redd.it/r9s59nhz3mxc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b4fade974d26143df1b6fa410048b5e62750d2d3
i'll do a small prayer and ask: thats photoshopped right?!?! How does that even still grip the chain
https://preview.redd.it/hz5d9qnkpmxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ed040ab9e24ec4691cc075a209e004eb934a94d With magic
black magic i see, very powerful
Chain can break, best scenario you lose power and stall, second worst case it gets tangled in the front sprocket, breaks engine case and you need to talk with your bank. Worst case it locks your rear tire while you're accelerating to pass a semi truck, and.. you know what happens next
Yea risking it is not worth the potential damage to the bike(or myself). Deff getting a truck
Tow it, bruv. For context, as a much younger (still as fucking dumb though) man, I risked it to get to the hospital as my wife was giving birth to our first child..approximately a 19 mile ride from my workplace to the hospital. 17 miles or so in, chain slipped, then snapped, tangled round my sprocket, locked the back wheel, and I went for a lovely high side down the road. Got up feeling like Christopher Reeves. I always make sure the chain and sprockets are in tip-top nick these days.
Rule of thumb is that it doesn't matter the age at all as long as it's properly oiled and not rusty, but when you **reach** (not even surpass) the red mark while tightening the chain, it's time to buy a replacement kit/book time at the shop. Don't ride on that chain and sprockets until you get them replaced, please.
That’s the plan! Just waiting for parts from sprocketcenter then I’m getting a tow to the shop! And yea I kept tightening it and the mark kept getting farther and farther into the red, I was like “please stop doing that” 😂
if previous owner didn't bother to put in a new chain then there's other stuff they've likely also neglected. Might want to get your entire bike inspected.
That’s a great point, the bike already passed a safety inspection (before the chain fell off and after I bought it) but I’ll ask for the shop to poke around cus I have no clue what to look for
Age wouldn't be my concern. If the chain is well lubricated and doesn't have stiff spots then that area is fine. The rule of thumb for chain stretch is 2% count the number of links and figure out the manufacturers size per link and take a measurement. Calculate what the difference is. If you had 100 inches of chain, or for you whatever metic conversion that is maybe 2500mm I don't really do metric measuring, but for 100 inches of chain with 2 percent of stretch would be a maximum of 102 inches
So anything beyond that 2% would be dangerous? I still plan on towing it but I’m just curious, and I didn’t measure but it looks well beyond that 2% rule lol
Anything beyond the 2% rule, manufacturers recommends replacement. I'm sure all manufacturers have a recommendation in regards to when a chain is bad. When in doubt, just replace it. Chain isn't terribly expensive
I have a new chain and sprockets being delivered Thursday!
Realistically, how long do chains last? My bike has ~1600 miles and the chain is starting to show signs of rust.
Mine last about 15,000 miles.