Chain Broke!

[ironbutt]

So, I was riding my 212cc Motovox for only the second time and the chain broke.

I was on a trail with pretty big rocks and I think it broke because my rear tire stopped against a big rock before bouncing past it.

Could my #35 chain break because of the rear tire being stopped?

It wasn't TOO tight (movable by hand up and down about a half inch).

I do have have a chain tensioner but it is just the rubber wheel with no spring.

Is this common and to be expected? Should I upgrade to a bigger chain and sprockets?

Thanks!

 

[mckutzy]

Lets see a pic of the broken area...it sounds like it was cause of a hit... Pics will tell.

 

[ironbutt]

Lets see a pic of the broken area...it sounds like it was cause of a hit... Pics will tell.

It was a clean break, with no damage to the chain other than the missing link have gone POOF!

Reattached the chain using a master link connector. But I'm rather too gentle and gingerly with it now to enjoy my riding (I prefer Mary-Anne anyway).

 

[itsid]

maybe you just had a bad link somewhere..

yes you can snap #35 chain, but not at all easily.
And sure the stopped rear wheel will have taken a part in this equation.

Personally I'd say buy a #35 chain (quality product please) and try again..
and if that happens again in short order, step up to size #40 (NOT #41!! that is weaker than #35)

for now I'd consider it nothing but a mishap .. bad luck.. whatever but #35 should do

'sid

 

[ironbutt]

OK, I put in a master link and sprayed it heavily with lube. But the chain kept jumping off after I would give it some gas.

I walked the bike along observing the chain travel on the rear sprocket and it would start clicking, catching and move off to the outside.

So I moved the clutch further onto the shaft (in towards the engine) and added some spacing washers to the outside of the tension roller to move the chain inwards a bit.

Now it seems to work fine.

Here's a pic of the final configuration:

I think I should put one of the spring tensioners on it with a sprocket instead of a roller.