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Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 1:35 pm
by Coully
Hi folks , just wanted to canvas for methods on freeing up said tightspots in chain. just got bike back from service and MOT (had put in new sprockets (shop would supply chain) to be fitted if required as had to get new rear shock and figured 2 birds 1 stone and all that), on receipt of bike mechanic said he hadn't fitted new sprockets and chain as they looked relatively new (very little use of bike in last year and a half) and just give it a good oil and work out the tightspots, which leads me to my query- how do I

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 2:00 pm
by RK6
There may be a better way out there but I'd just soak it in a basin of oil for a couple days taking it out every now & again to gradually work out the tight spots.

Simples. :2up

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 2:11 pm
by Coully
cheers

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:28 pm
by kennybhoy
further...I have been known to put the chain in an old pot with old oil and put it on an outdoor gas burner...not too hot though :log

beware, it stinks!!

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:48 am
by Coully
i was looking to avoid the hassle of chain removal.

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:52 am
by Newbus
Being honest i would change the chain if it has tight spots at all. I have seen the mess that can be made with a chain snapping. Not least if it snaps when driving can lock up wheel and cause accident. For the cost of a new chain compared to anything else .

Thinks of why the chain has tight spots . Rust on pins and bearings. Will that go away if oiled no it will just cover up the damage already done to the chain.

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:09 am
by g.cowen
Aye, its knackered - buy a new one, it will never be any good - maybe need sprockets aswell ? :2up

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:20 am
by Coully
Fair do's lads, cheers.

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:21 am
by Dave
I would change the chain

Last year I had a sticky link on the chain, ordered new chain and cogs but before they arrived the chain broke while I was riding.
Luckily I was almost home and was doing a low speed manoeuvre and the chain just slipped away from the bike.

This year I had another chain failure.
The chain had high miles but it did not have any sticky links and did not feel too worn, I know because the weekend before the break I gave it a good look at and lube (I can't believe it's not butter!), with running the chain thru my fingers.

Now I will change any of my chains that have any sticky links or has done more than 10k miles

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:29 am
by Coully
chain hasn't done many miles, be lucky if its done 5k, new sprockets fitted at same time, so should prob do sprockets as well eh! have sprockets ready to fit, just require chain. time to go shopping, ha ha

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:35 am
by Ratz
tight spots usually equals corrosion and lack of lube (I can't believe it's not butter!)

new chain as has been said above is the way to go

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 6:58 pm
by Crashgoggz
I had steely @ craigston tyres do my chain and sprockets a couple of weeks ago, £130 fitted on the SV. Give him a call 07758779989.

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 7:39 pm
by kennybhoy
I agree with the other guys. In my younger days when trying out different ways to save money I used to go to the hassle of trying to work the links loose. My maintenance ensures I don't get them anymore but if I did a replacement chain would be the way to go for me :2up

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 11:35 am
by Coully
no worries lads, i did ask if the sprockets i provided during service could be fitted and that a chain could be provided, got bike back and mechanic saying that oiling chain etc should loosen it up, and that the sprockets looked quite new so no real need to change them. needless to say new chain is in post and hopefully will get everything done this weekend

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:56 pm
by missile
Coully wrote:no worries lads, i did ask if the sprockets i provided during service could be fitted and that a chain could be provided, got bike back and mechanic saying that oiling chain etc should loosen it up, and that the sprockets looked quite new so no real need to change them. needless to say new chain is in post and hopefully will get everything done this weekend
I would take it somewhere else next time.

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 1:56 pm
by Gazza
kennybhoy wrote:further...I have been known to put the chain in an old pot with old oil and put it on an outdoor gas burner...not too hot though :log
Especially if it's an o-ring type!

Re: Freeing up tightspots in chain

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 1:44 pm
by Coully
didn't want to name names, new chain fitted on sunday morning, and all is well with the world, now all we need is for the weather to sort itself oot! Quite glad i wear textile gear given the general unpredictability of the seasons