$100 Mistake

1424 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by riverszzr, Mar 30, 2015

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · Mar 29, 2015 (Edited)

Hi everyone,

Long story short:
As the title states, I made a $100 mistake lol. I cut my new chain 1 link too short, and now am running 2 master links (the included dreaded clip on, and the riveted i bought seperate).

The Story:
Well, I was VERY EXCITED and NERVOUS at the same time about replacing my own chain, sprockets, and tires, as this is my first bike and I have never done this before. I purchased Michelin PP3's, a gold D.I.D VX2 chain (520x120), and gold D.I.D VX2 rivet style master link, and Driven front and rear sprockets (front is stock tooth, rear is +2).

I just want to say I have done a crapload of research on how too's and DIY's on this matter, and even printed out the entire service manual (600+ pages) just to have the process, and torque specs on hand.

Well, I proceeded to take everything off the bike, laid out the old chain and new one side by side, and counted/marked off the links. I cut the new chain one link shy of the old one (as my master will add 1 link and make my new chain the same length as the old one) thinking it will go back together exactly how i took it off....WRONG! I completely spaced out my rear sprocket has 2 more teeth then my old one :hmmm:. I think i was so overwhelmed with all the torque specs, and processes of removing/installing and in what order, that i completely forgot. I found out after everything was installed and it was time to mount the chain. :thumbdown:

For the time being, I cut one link off of the excess chain that i wasnt going to use, and placed that in the sprocket teeth and used the clip on style master to attach that to the actual chain. I then connected this one link to the other end of the chain by my riveted style master. ugh, what a pain in the ass that caused such a shitty feeling! Why the hell did i miss this? I couldnt do anything more then just shake my head at myself:coocoo. Such a stupid mistake lol.

I will be ordering a new chain/master link tomorrow, and replacing this frankenstien chain when that arrives. I installed everything and torqued everything to spec. I only re-checked about 3-4 times! Thankfully here in MA, its still super cold out so i wont be doing much riding.

I know for a FACT, I will NEVER make this mistake again :laugh....

Here is a picture of how nice it looks though, to spicen up this thread a bit:

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Scorpi0

· #2 · Mar 29, 2015

Looks like u had plenty of space to slide ur tire forward and make the chain fit. Did u consider that?

jerryg951

· #3 · Mar 29, 2015

Damn brotha that sux big time gotta stay calm working on the bike.

Reactions: 2

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 29, 2015

Scorpi0 said:
Looks like u had plenty of space to slide ur tire forward and make the chain fit. Did u consider that?

thats with the 2 masters installed on it. When the rear axle was slid all the way forward, the chain was 1 link short and left a 1 tooth gap between chain ends. I couldnt get the chain to sit on the sprocket where it needed too.

riverszzr

· #5 · Mar 29, 2015

I always, cut the chain after I wrap it around the new sprocket set up- so I don't make that mistake.

You may want to pull off that clip and safety wire the 2 recesses for it together- the safety wire won't expand accelerating around the c/s sprocket and spread and then eventually break or fly off

Don't turn a $100 mistake into costing you a set of cases, starter and waterpump or worse!

Reactions: 1

Scorpi0

· #6 · Mar 29, 2015

subiedude09 said:
thats with the 2 masters installed on it. When the rear axle was slid all the way forward, the chain was 1 link short and left a 1 tooth gap between chain ends. I couldnt get the chain to sit on the sprocket where it needed too.

Ohh. Well it sure does look good now!

Reactions: 1

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 29, 2015

Haha, thanks Scorpio.

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 29, 2015

riverszzr said:
I always, cut the chain after I wrap it around the new sprocket set up- so I don't make that mistake.

You may want to pull off that clip and safety wire the 2 recesses for it together- the safety wire won't expand accelerating around the c/s sprocket and spread and then eventually break or fly off

Don't turn a $100 mistake into costing you a set of cases, starter and waterpump or worse!

Thanks for the tip Riverszzr, I appreciate it! I do plan on cutting the new chain after i wrap it around the sprockets instead of just laying it flat and counting links.... I should have done that at the get-go but oh well. I plan on keeping the bike on the stands untill the new chain is installed!

RJ2112

· #9 · Mar 29, 2015

subiedude09 said:
Thanks for the tip Riverszzr, I appreciate it! I do plan on cutting the new chain after i wrap it around the sprockets instead of just laying it flat and counting links.... I should have done that at the get-go but oh well. I plan on keeping the bike on the stands untill the new chain is installed!

Personally, I would be okay with running two rivet master links on the same chain. I'd probably install them so they are not side by side; but I can say with a fair degree of certainty I would not replace a brand new chain wholesale, due to having to add a second master link to it.......

Reactions: 1

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 29, 2015

RJ2112 said:
Personally, I would be okay with running two rivet master links on the same chain. I'd probably install them so they are not side by side; but I can say with a fair degree of certainty I would not replace a brand new chain wholesale, due to having to add a second master link to it.......

Knowing its not suppose to be like that will eat away at me every ride. Call it picky, call it being a perfectionist, or call it whatever you'd like lol, I gotta buy a new chain..

RJ2112

· #11 · Mar 29, 2015

The master link is made of exactly the same stuff as the rest of the links on the chain. Tensile strength and everything else.

If you do feel obliged to toss that brand new one in the trash, why not mail it to me?:naughty:

Reactions: 2

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 29, 2015 (Edited)

RJ2112 said:
The master link is made of exactly the same stuff as the rest of the links on the chain. Tensile strength and everything else.

If you do feel obliged to toss that brand new one in the trash, why not mail it to me?:naughty:

cover shipping and consider it a gift from a stranger, and pass the kindness forward.

Reactions: 2

RJ2112

· #13 · Mar 29, 2015

subiedude09 said:
cover shipping and consider it a gift from a stranger, and pass the kindness forward.

PM sent. This will take a week or so to get sorted out.

riverszzr

· #14 · Mar 29, 2015

subiedude09 said:
Knowing its not suppose to be like that will eat away at me every ride. Call it picky, call it being a perfectionist, or call it whatever you'd like lol, I gotta buy a new chain..

This is the same route I would go. New chain, live and learn...

While I have seen some pretty shady stuff come thorugh the shop over the years, one time a guy had about 20 master links, he took all the cut off pieces from when 120 link chains are bought and cut to fit, then seriously had about 20 master links to connect them all.

I asked him how long he had that set up, nearly 14k...
I asked him how much it cost him for those master links, nearly $100

I explained a brand new chain didn't even cost near than.....

Then asked, why do it?.....he exclaimed he was on a tight budget. :coocoo

So he spent more money because of being on a tight budget? how does that work exactly

In reality one of his buddies later told me he got all those master links for free, but would not say how...... I am sure neither of them wanted to try and explain that.........coughthievescough..........

And yes, while the rivet master link is as strong as the chain- did you get them assembled correctly, get all the lube inside, is it "pinched" at all and maybe more drag there?

I have seen numerous rivet links assembled so tightly the o/x-ring actually get squeezed out...... a little or allot, sometimes they are even missing because they broke from the friction of being too tight....

I like the call of replacing the chain!

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Reactions: 2

subiedude09

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 29, 2015

riverszzr said:
This is the same route I would go. New chain, live and learn...

While I have seen some pretty shady stuff come thorugh the shop over the years, one time a guy had about 20 master links, he took all the cut off pieces from when 120 link chains are bought and cut to fit, then seriously had about 20 master links to connect them all.

I asked him how long he had that set up, nearly 14k...
I asked him how much it cost him for those master links, nearly $100

I explained a brand new chain didn't even cost near than.....

Then asked, why do it?.....he exclaimed he was on a tight budget. :coocoo

So he spent more money because of being on a tight budget? how does that work exactly

In reality one of his buddies later told me he got all those master links for free, but would not say how...... I am sure neither of them wanted to try and explain that.........coughthievescough..........

And yes, while the rivet master link is as strong as the chain- did you get them assembled correctly, get all the lube inside, is it "pinched" at all and maybe more drag there?

I have seen numerous rivet links assembled so tightly the o/x-ring actually get squeezed out...... a little or allot, sometimes they are even missing because they broke from the friction of being too tight....

I like the call of replacing the chain!

Thank you riverszzr for justifying my decision.

You may or may not believe me but i look up to you in a sense as you know a TON about bikes and know exactly what your are doing. Before I actualy joined this forum, i was constently doing research about my 07 and your name came up often on some rather difficult situations. You came through and shared your knowledge on a lot of peoples problems and would help them fix w/e it is they did wrong, or are trying to fix from normal wear n tear, or the owner before them. You have no shame in telling people where to go, and how to get there. It is what it is, take it or leave it kind of attitude and I respect that!

Thanks for chiming in on my thread, you have a good one man!

Reactions: 1

riverszzr

· #16 · Mar 30, 2015

subiedude09 said:
Thank you riverszzr for justifying my decision.

You may or may not believe me but i look up to you in a sense as you know a TON about bikes and know exactly what your are doing. Before I actualy joined this forum, i was constently doing research about my 07 and your name came up often on some rather difficult situations. You came through and shared your knowledge on a lot of peoples problems and would help them fix w/e it is they did wrong, or are trying to fix from normal wear n tear, or the owner before them. You have no shame in telling people where to go, and how to get there. It is what it is, take it or leave it kind of attitude and I respect that!

Thanks for chiming in on my thread, you have a good one man!

You know................

A fuck it--- for all the screaming for my head from the idiotic few on this forum........ and yes I have a list of names right next to my computer screen now! That includes a couple super idiotic, fucking moronic douchenozzles!!

It is the bigger list of people like you, that bring me back to offer the help that I do.......... even when I swear and bitch about the stupidity that often comes with said advice.

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