Off to a bad start today

[Trailbikeryder]

Hello,

I'm off to a bad start today. I was riding to work this morning when at a intersection I accellerated and as I was doing a left turn, I hear some noises from back wheel and the engine revs up as if there is no gear in although I was in 2nd gear. The wheel blocks and the bike stops. I get off and I see the chain came off and was tangled in the wheel. The chain was also off the front sprocket. I was lucky this didn't happen at higher speeds. What freaks me out is that, just last night I had the bike up on my stand with the rear wheel up and checked the chain and sprayed it in chain spray. It didn't seem loose. I did notice though that it had a hard spot as I was turning the wheel. The chain was tightened only 400 Kms ago. I have a new chain but not the sprockes I need though. I'm going to put the chain back on when I get off work tonight, ride it home and not ride it anymore until I have the new sprockets so I can put the new chain on. I called my wife - she is going to bring me some tools. I usually ride another route to work which has about 2 mile autobahn ride. This morning though I took the another route (slower and longer, but I had lots of time before work starts) that goes by a bakery, so I could get something to eat for my lunch. I don't want to imagine if this would have happened going 80-100 Kph...

[tecnolli]

Man, you had lots of luck. I'm glad to hear that you're not harmed. I will check my chain before i ride home from work.
Maybe this story leads me to changing my chain earlier than i thought. The new DID is already lying here.

[matasar]

are the sprockets in line ?
my chain went off also ones when turning, backwheel was not aligned with front sprocket.

[Trailbikeryder]

Originally Posted by matasar

are the sprockets in line ?
my chain went off also ones when turning, backwheel was not aligned with front sprocket.

Thanks for the tip. I will check on that.

[FastDoc]

Glad you are OK.

I have never had a chain failure in hundreds of thousands of miles but it is always something I think about in the back of my mind.

You can be stranded, or put on your face at higyway speed in traffic, or your engine case can be broken.

No good outcomes.

A mal-aligned rear wheel can be a factor. Don't just trust the index marks, measure it with a string or something.

[Trailbikeryder]

I always use a digital caliper. The last time the guy from the shop did it though. I should have measured it before I put the chain back on. Didn't think about that... Anyway the ride home was ok (18 km). Still going to wait for new sprockets to come before I ride again. I just don't feel safe with that no O-ring chain... In 24 years of riding with no breaks I've never have this happen before.

[FastDoc]

I never had it happen either.

I don't mind non O-ring chains on low powered bikes though. They are strong enough just wear out faster.

[tecnolli]

I agree with FastDoc, non-O-ring is not the point. The point is poor chinese quality on any chain, whether O-ring or not.
Did you hear anything from Polo about your sprockets?

[Trailbikeryder]

Originally Posted by tecnolli

I agree with FastDoc, non-O-ring is not the point. The point is poor chinese quality on any chain, whether O-ring or not.
Did you hear anything from Polo about your sprockets?

Yes, they called me. They don't have any that fit. The inner circle has to be 64 mm and the screw circle 84mm and the screw holes 10mm.

[SpudRider]

I'm glad you didn't harm the bike, or injure yourself when the chain broke!

[tecnolli]

@Eric, is it a 530 chain?
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kettenrad-KER...ht_2589wt_1161
I found it interesting to see for what Suzuki models it should fit.

[Trailbikeryder]

Thanks for the comments.

@Spud
it didn't break. I came off both sprockets and wraped around the rear axel.

@Oliver
The original chain is a 520 13/34. The equivalent for sprocket sizes in 428 is 16/43. I bought a 428 chain with xw-rings on it. Even though the new chain is ligher its good for bikes up to 400cc. So I need 428 sprockets with those messurements - such as the VanVan 2003-2009 models. I was looking for a 17 teeth for the front an a 42 tooth for the back. The smallest 428 sprocket with those mesurements I saw has 43 teeth though..hmm

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Trailbikeryder

...@Spud
it didn't break. I came off both sprockets and wraped around the rear axel...

That is very unusual. The chain must be very loose, and very worn for that to occur.

I think you are wise to install a quality, O-ring drive chain on your bike. The O-ring chains don't stretch, and don't require any adjustments, until the O-rings begin to fail. Then the chain starts to stretch rapidly. At that point, it's time to install another, O-ring drive chain.

O-ring drive chains not only require less maintenance, they are also less expensive, since you also need to replace both sprockets whenever you replace the drive chain.

[Trailbikeryder]

I think it is worn just out. There is lots rust dust on the frame next to chain.
When I take it off I will do a video showing the difference between the new and old chain. For example how much they bend to the side and how they stretch....

[SpudRider]

That's a great idea!