Chain Broke Off at a Red Light

vinehanger

Well-known member
So I brought a 2007 Gsxr 600 a few days ago from a private seller. The bike had a blue chain. I got out of my garage and rode for like 15 seconds until I reached a red light. As the light turned green, I put the bike back in first gear and gave it gas. However, bike didn't move at all. I then noticed my chain hanging on the floor. I duck paddled my bike all the way back home. Called the seller and he told me he may have not installed the "main joint bolt" correctly. He offered to come to my house and install the chain for me if its possible to.


Does a chain snapping off the sprocket cause any engine / transmission damage? Is the chain even broken? And where is the cheapest place to get a new chain and have it installed? Really wanted to ride on Sunday but now I wont be able to :(

d.jpgIMG_0735.jpg


Video of broken chain: (notice the main connection joint seems to be bent)

http://youtu.be/R0pIBH_mLUU
 
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What kinda chain was that? As long as the chain didnt jam up in the sprocket cover you should be fine.

Sounds like a nice seller to come by and fix it.

Was it a clip link or rivet link? (master link)
 
If the seller claims that he may have improperly installed the chain in the first place, I would be sure not to let him touch the bike ever again.
Take it to someone who knows a touch about what they are doing, its not rocket science but at high speeds that F-up could have cost you a ton in parts or even your life!
 
If the seller claims that he may have improperly installed the chain in the first place, I would be sure not to let him touch the bike ever again.
Take it to someone who knows a touch about what they are doing, its not rocket science but at high speeds that F-up could have cost you a ton in parts or even your life!

Yup! Chains are nothing to play with and can be very dangerous if they come apart at speed.
 
Make sure that the chain matches the sprockets.520/525??? You need help.And the others are correct.You are lucky it broke at the light and not at 120kmh on the 401 in traFFIC.
 
Sounds like he either didn't rivet the master link correctly or he used a clip and it wasn't on right. Inspect the chain and see if the master link is still there and which type it was.

Your lucky it happened when it did, at highway speeds if it wrapped around the swingarm and wheel you'd be toast.
 
From the vid, it looks like it was a clip masterlink. If you are lucky and the ends aren't damaged, you may get away with a new riveted masterlink. Look on the side plates of the chain and see what brand it is.
 
Yup! Chains are nothing to play with and can be very dangerous if they come apart at speed.

My recommendation.. PM this guy and have him pick up your bike and do what needs to be done. Ken's a great mechanic, with affordable rates and great service.
 
Was this a Rosey Toe Safety special? What else was overlooked in the safety inspection?
dude shut up, seriously, not only are you blaming someone else that had nothing to do with it but you are also ruining it for others.
 
dude shut up, seriously, not only are you blaming someone else that had nothing to do with it but you are also ruining it for others.

You're talking to the guy who thinks that going down a tooth on the rear sprocket yields the same results as going down a tooth on the front sprocket :cool:
 
Where do you live?

Odds are you could find someone nearby with a rivet tool to get it installed properly. Take your chain into a bike shop, get them to order/sell you the correct rivet link and get it installed. I'm guessing you don't live in London but if you did I could help. I have the rivet tool.
 
Video of broken chain: (notice the main connection joint seems to be bent)
The bent "master link" (that's what the "main connection" is called) is normal when the rivet plate (or in your case the link clip) comes off. Link clips suck, especially when installed incorrectly. You're going to need a new master link at the minimum, and if the end connections aren't damaged or bent you should be golden. If the ends of the chain are damaged I highly doubt you'll have enough room to cut the damaged link off and reassemble the chain.

It looks like an EK chain but I've never seen one come without a rivet master link? Where the heck is Rose? If you're local I can help you out with the chain.

EDIT: Also, it looks like still the stock rear sprocket! It's never a good idea to replace the chain and not the sprockets too! The chain will wear out very quickly! For SURE have someone look at the condition of the front and rear sprockets before you think about riding it again!

Can you please take a pic of the right side (exhaust side) of the rear wheel? Looking straight at the side of the rear wheel, from axel height (so like 1ft off the ground). Upload it (and the same pic from the other side as well to) in full quality to http://www.freefilehosting.net/ and paste the links here.

You are VERY lucky it came off when you were stopped! Could have been major damage (to you AND the bike)!

You're talking to the guy who thinks that going down a tooth on the rear sprocket yields the same results as going down a tooth on the front sprocket :cool:
Still makes me giggle every time I read it. It's not just that he thought he was right, it's the way he said it! lol.

-Jamie M.
 
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a $7 rivet link and a few mins of time will get you all set u.

Had that come apart at speed or worse, on heavy acceleration, you could have broke your motor wide open. A steel chain becomes a whip with 10,000 psi of tensile strength, being swung at hunderds of kmhs/hr, by a 100 hp arm. It can and will cause lots of damage. Also, there have been instances where a broken chain becomes wrapped up in rear wheel, causing a lockup on the highway, without your brakelight being applied......you could easily get run over by your fellow motorists.

You got lucky. Go get a lotto ticket.
 
You're talking to the guy who thinks that going down a tooth on the rear sprocket yields the same results as going down a tooth on the front sprocket :cool:

By all means bring your bike to this guy, it's your bike. Live and Learn. After going there a few times, I know enough to not go back.
 
This happened to me years ago. The master link clip was installed in the wrong psoition. Just re-install and no worries.
 
Gee, I wish personal vendettas and grudges could be left to PMs where they belong. I just enjoy seeing so many perfectly useful and purposeful threads get ruined with useless posts that have no content or value.
 
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