Sometimes there are good reasons to have a split link in my chain.
If I need to remove the wheel in a remote far away place for instance, England, on an adventure trip it makes life easy.
I could shorten or lengthen a chain anywhere even in the outback of Ireland.
Time to get controversial , a pressed link is not stronger than a split link in my opinion maybe wrong.
They both do the same job, pressed links are only used so mortals can easily connect or build o ring chains at home.
Endless chains are used in racing sometimes buy teams with loadsa money, made to measure fitted by an expert company in the paddock.
I always have a spare link somewhere, they are mostly hanging on jackets most are rusty as I have never had to use them.
Keep a link and a half in my wee bolt tin in the tool kit.
Again never used it but my mates have.
We have used split links on our racing bikes for ever and never had one fail ever.
That is the kiss of death.....
Note to self: pack all the chain stuff!
I have seen chain fail when racing, Isle of Man good example when a well known multi TT winner broke a chain on the last lap and in the lead.
Even the top teams get caught out with crap stuff from ebay.
The electric race bikes were hard on chains on the island they could torque twist heavy chain, very impressive.Belts solved this problem.
On to twins and chains:
The longest production bike chain was the early Honda Africa twin (90s).
The chain needed replaced at every rear tyre change around 5000 miles.
Very expensive chain many owners did not change them and got stranded.
Seen this happen many times.
Greatly interested me at the time.
Reason from Honda was, the power pulse effect of a twin engine, this had an effect on the long chain, when removed after 5000 miles of correctly oiled and tensioned chain when you turned the chain sideways to inspect wear the chain was not only worn visible by bowing but was also spiral like a spring.
Do Vincent twins have a similar effect on chains?
I do not know, I replace my chains at fairly regular intervals because I am mechanically paranoid.
I envision a slapping chain smashing the casing around the final drive.
Be interested to hear of anyone with long mileage chains on twins.
Al
If I need to remove the wheel in a remote far away place for instance, England, on an adventure trip it makes life easy.
I could shorten or lengthen a chain anywhere even in the outback of Ireland.
Time to get controversial , a pressed link is not stronger than a split link in my opinion maybe wrong.
They both do the same job, pressed links are only used so mortals can easily connect or build o ring chains at home.
Endless chains are used in racing sometimes buy teams with loadsa money, made to measure fitted by an expert company in the paddock.
I always have a spare link somewhere, they are mostly hanging on jackets most are rusty as I have never had to use them.
Keep a link and a half in my wee bolt tin in the tool kit.
Again never used it but my mates have.
We have used split links on our racing bikes for ever and never had one fail ever.
That is the kiss of death.....
Note to self: pack all the chain stuff!
I have seen chain fail when racing, Isle of Man good example when a well known multi TT winner broke a chain on the last lap and in the lead.
Even the top teams get caught out with crap stuff from ebay.
The electric race bikes were hard on chains on the island they could torque twist heavy chain, very impressive.Belts solved this problem.
On to twins and chains:
The longest production bike chain was the early Honda Africa twin (90s).
The chain needed replaced at every rear tyre change around 5000 miles.
Very expensive chain many owners did not change them and got stranded.
Seen this happen many times.
Greatly interested me at the time.
Reason from Honda was, the power pulse effect of a twin engine, this had an effect on the long chain, when removed after 5000 miles of correctly oiled and tensioned chain when you turned the chain sideways to inspect wear the chain was not only worn visible by bowing but was also spiral like a spring.
Do Vincent twins have a similar effect on chains?
I do not know, I replace my chains at fairly regular intervals because I am mechanically paranoid.
I envision a slapping chain smashing the casing around the final drive.
Be interested to hear of anyone with long mileage chains on twins.
Al