Old Chains

Submitted by stevbike on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 18:24

Hello all

I have a question. The chain I just got working on my lastest CCM bike was old and rusty. A number of the inner rollerbearings have split open. The bike still runs OK but there is a bit of noise in the drive train. This bike is not going to be used on a regular basis other the short trips but what problems can happen to the chain in the long run?

I was looking at replacing the chain but the longest I have seen are 112 links and I need 116 links plus the master link. I well need to cut in a few more links to get the proper chain length I need. I may look at another used donor bike to get a better used chain for this guy.

Steve 

8 Comments

Submitted by HotRodRob on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 20:53.

Just buy 2 chains and make the length you need.....easy. For what 2 chains will cost you, a bike shop will charge you the same for installing 1.

Submitted by stevbike on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 09:17.

I have done a lot of work on bikes including making this recumbent low racer design.  http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/2000-fairing-covered-low-racer-613. There is a very long chain on this bike. The number on links to get it up to the proper length is only 4 or 5. The original chain still runs OK but needs to be replaced at some point. The bike is being kept to this style and era of bike alive.Finding ones complete like this hard to find that are solid shape.   

Submitted by randyjawa on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 06:17.

If you are using the bicycle on a regular basis, two things are guaranteed.  The chain will break, sooner or later, and your sprockets will begin to wear rapidly right away.

Get a new chain!

Submitted by bikedenis on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 08:20.

hmmm... dangerous !! this is my opinion.

Submitted by Lawrence Ruskin on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 08:44.

yep,

 

no chain....no brakes.

Submitted by stevbike on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 10:21.

I measured the chain length and found it to be 109 links minus the master link. There is a chain at my local hardware store that I need to get a price on. It will be nice to do this small repair on this old bike.

Submitted by stevbike on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 15:39.

After buying and placing the new chain on the bike, it runs like new now. No more chain noise!!

Submitted by zephyr on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 14:03.

Good to know that it's working out great. Now you have plenty of time ahead to find a used or NOS one while you can enjoy your bike.