never skimp on a chain *youve been warned*

Chat for Falco Owners.

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shootmyscoot
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never skimp on a chain *youve been warned*

#1 Post by shootmyscoot » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:26 pm

hey all

bit sad news really, i nearly lost my life on monday nite, chain snapped in the fast lane, locked the back wheel and had a very near brush with the reaper,

i never skimped my self until funds were low, i bought a triple s chain, thought it looked good, seemed to preform ok, till it snapped not on the master link, but on one of the other rivited links, chain was in good nick, oil with chain lube before every ride,

damage as follows, chain gaurds on the mille swinger, snapped the stays for the front sprocket cover, nearly did the cases in, soiled undies and 4 cigs later

ive got it on good authority, they they are rubbish, so stay away from the triple s series:-(

sms

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Aladinsaneuk
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#2 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:32 pm

ouch glad you are ok

how old was chain? and i would be in contact with supplier....


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


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HowardQ
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#3 Post by HowardQ » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:45 pm

Glad you came out of it in one piece mate, as you say it could have been very much worse. I've never had one break on me but I seen a few go and they can be absolutely nothing or very serious, it's all down to luck.
Simplest one I saw was when two blokes, one on an R1 and one on a Gixxer came along side me in the outside lane of a D/Carriageway at some lights. They were obviously having a play with each other, the R1 shot off and as the other bloke tried to follow him, the chain on the Gixxer simply snapped and it very cleanly went through the front spocket and just fed out to the road with no damage at all. He just coasted to a hault free wheeling thinking whats going on here, till I pointed to the chain. Clean as that, dead lucky.
It's very different when it seizes up solid in some way.
Main thing is you are OK, hope you manage to get your leathers cleaned, (well the bottom half!!), and the bike sorted quickly.

AVOID Triple S chains!
HowardQ

Take a ride on the Dark Side :smt004 :smt096 :smt004

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P

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D-Rider
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#4 Post by D-Rider » Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:16 pm

Scary stuff ... and not the first chain to snap on this forum.

Glad you are OK.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

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Samray
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#5 Post by Samray » Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:17 pm

Glad it wasn't a lot worse as it so easily could have been. :smt001

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Firestarter
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#6 Post by Firestarter » Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:20 pm

Glad you're OK, did you manage to stay upright then? Very lucky if you did, fast lane and a locked wheel does not sound like a comforable combination!

Had one go on me, similar way as Howard mentioned, rolled off at some lights, they changed to green so gassed it and the chain just popped. Luckily, I was going slow anyway, but the chain seemed to jump off of the sprockets and just sat on the swingarm, dangling and rattling on the floor. A mate of mine had one wrap around the front sprocket, and just kept winding up until it popped the sprocket cover, did some damage to the engine block (and think it damage the shaft as well)

Another horror story I heard (could just be rumour), guy's chain went, whipped across his leg pretty much taking it off below the knee. Didn't realise until he fell over trying to put his foot down when the bike stopped. So much potential for something nasty, I think you were right when you said a brush with the reaper, and pure luck when you walk away from it

No Triple S for me either, then!
Aprilia SL1000 Falco '04 in Black & Red

shootmyscoot
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#7 Post by shootmyscoot » Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:40 pm

well thanks for all the kind words chaps:), i did manage to stay on and dodge all the swerving cars,
i did wack the back of my leg, that was the first ting that took my attention, the revs shot up, then came to an immediate stop left a giant black line down the motorway

not to mention the skids in my pants lol

got me a DID zvm2:-)

sms

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Chabby
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#8 Post by Chabby » Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:37 pm

Congrats on your escape!

Had a chain go on a GS 550 years ago whilst doing about 70.

All of a sudden high revs and no drive - pulled over to take a look and no back mudguard or tail unit! I found the tail unit (smashed and useless) but nowt else.

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#9 Post by D-Rider » Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:51 pm

OK ..... who else is thinking of their next mod .... the armour-plated chain case ....

:smt017
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Nooj
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#10 Post by Nooj » Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:33 pm

Shaft drive?
SHINY BIKE SYNDROME Motorcycle valeting and paint protection specialist.
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fastasfcuk
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#11 Post by fastasfcuk » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:46 pm

glad your ok mate.

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joecrx
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#12 Post by joecrx » Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:43 pm

glad your ok , only happend to me on a 125 , no great damage though but now i look after my chain , more so on a v twin , but i dont buy the best chain as in price but a good trade name , but these things do happen wether you lube your chain or nr not , anyone ever claimed a chain maufacturer , ther would be so many get out clauses for them to get out it , better jusr buy a ytoyota :smt005

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#13 Post by Renevator » Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:51 pm

That really is frightening - gals you're ok mate, you did well to keep out of danger.
I've only had one go on me. Stupidly did the ride off with lock on thing, after a day at the races (that'll teach me to go watch car racing).
Anyway, I picked the bike up, and very slowly set off - only to have the chain inexplicably snap? I'm presuming the low speed drop contributed to it, but I'm buggered if I can see how.
Always puzzle me that. Got a DID on now. Had a triple S once and it stretched like mad - not impressed.

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paganman
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#14 Post by paganman » Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:55 pm

Holy crap, glad you're ok.
Just ordered a chain & sprocket set yesterday, & bloody glad it's a DID & not a Triple S.
Had a chain snap on my old CB900F and it took a chunk out of the cases, god bless Araldite!
1st Italian bike. 1st V-twin, loving it!

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Falcopops
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#15 Post by Falcopops » Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:10 pm

Nice save mate, lucky boy, I'd be staright down the shops and do the lottery

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