Chain snapped!

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bigun · #1 Post by **bigun** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:04 pm

My chain snapped on the way to work this morning. 70mph, outside lane of the A1 in rush hour. Class!

Have been recovered home and brought my car to work but initial check of chain has shown the rivet has sheared off. THing is, I only put it on 3k miles ago and its actually sheared at a factory rivetted part of the chain, well away from the part I joined. Gonna speak to the manufacturers (AFAM) about replacement. It has managed to gouge a nice lump out of the wheel and wrapped itself round the rear foot rest. Dunno what other damage there is until later on. Hopefully the exhaust is ok.

Hey ho. All experience I suppose.

Bigun.

HowardQ · #2 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:20 pm

I'd be well pigged off with only 3000 miles use. Then again a chain break at 70 mph could throw you off and destroy the bike, so have to look on the bright side I suppose.
Hope you get it sorted OK.

Nooj · #3 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:29 pm

Check out the damage and get AFAM to stump up the dosh for repairs if it was down to product failure.

Gio · #4 Post by **Gio** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:32 pm

70MPH

You are lucky.

morph · #5 Post by **morph** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:42 pm

Just thinking what could have happened at that speed makes my butt pucker.
Glad to hear your ok and hope you can get AFAM to pay for any repairs.

GregD-UK · #6 Post by **GregD-UK** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:50 pm

Hey Bigun,

Hope u don't blame me

just cause I turned up at ur place on my bike....Glad u r ok, get all u can out of 'em (AFAM) that is

If u need a hand let me know.

Later,

Warranty yeah rite!

bigun · #7 Post by **bigun** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:51 am

Had a closer look last night. It has been caused by the front sprocket coming off! Bolt must have vibrated loose. Was torqued properly and checked too. The sprocket is now wedged in between frame and swingarm(can't get it out at mo) and fortunately the chain snapped and saved locking the back wheel. Think I've been very very lucky in one way.

However, the sprocket has smashed part of the casing round the gear selector shaft (still selects gear etc and no oil leaking) but it could be terminal for the engine if its bad. Won't really know until i strip it at weekend.

If it is bad I think the oppurtunity for a newer RSVR Factory engine beckons.

Least I'm alive to tell the tale!

ps Thanks for the sentiments ------ its nice to know people care!

DavShill · #8 Post by **DavShill** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:14 am

Bloody hell Bigun - glad you are safe, it could have been much worse. Hope the damage to the bike is not too expensive to put right. Has it mashed your nice powder coated wheel too.

Aladinsaneuk · #9 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:20 am

glad you walked away from that mate - could have been nasty :(

hope you get the bike sorted soon

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:05 am

Hi Paul - dunno whether to think this has been bad luck or good luck.

Certainly a reminder that these Falco lumps shake things loose (like this and also my suspension linkages last year).
You were certainly fortunate it was no worse .... every time I hear of chains snapping I recall THIS post that TC put up in the RiderSite part of the forum (Case Study 3).

Makes you think our chain guards are more cosmetic than functional.

Anyway, glad you're OK and hope the Falco repairs are not too difficult/expensive.

Perhaps the rest of us should have a nut and bolt tightening weekend!

bigun · #11 Post by **bigun** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:46 am

It has taken some of the powder coating off on the edge of the rim but a strategically placed sticker will sort that.

Spoke to my dad last night and his comment was ' bloody hell son, yr lucky. That bloomin bike must shake bolts loose, probably why you've never had a seized bolt. You should buy a kawasaki' Told him to go forth and multiply at the kawasaki comment! Ha ha!

I'll take some photos at weekend and try and post them up, it'll open some eyes! I'm hoping all its gonna cost is a new sprocket/bolt and chain. I was tempted to get a new link and put the chain back on but I think it'll be wrecked.

Cheers

Paulh · #12 Post by **Paulh** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:32 am

bigun wrote:Had a closer look last night. It has been caused by the front sprocket coming off! Bolt must have vibrated loose. Was torqued properly and checked too.

Just a thought but every bike I've owned (as far as I remember anyway) has a lock washer on the front sprocket nut - was yours missing or have Aprilia missed something?

DavShill · #13 Post by **DavShill** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:19 pm

Paul - if the sprocket is knacked I have got a spare 16t original you can have . Just pm me with your address if you need it.

Pierre · #14 Post by **Pierre** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:23 pm

Thats 1 thing i dont have- a complete left side engine casing. Although using it as an excuse to buy a rsvr engine sounds like an excellently sane idea.

Liquid metal fixes all. It held my ducati together after a snapped chain holed the gearbox and is currently sealing a hole in my mates R6 that snapped its chain. Bet you didnt even put the bolt on

Hishy · #15 Post by **Hishy** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:06 pm

holy shit bigun, glad your okay, but that must have been blody scary, i have a spare 15 tooth that's done very little miles about 600 if i remeber rightly just send me a pm with your addy and i'll dig it out and mail it bud.

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Chain snapped!

Chain snapped!

Ouch!