Fustrating.....

[robertall]

The previous owner of my bike said 'The chain and sprocket was replaced at the last MOT'.

He did 4000 kilometres on it, and i did 1000 kilometres on it since the MOT, and it is totally knackered, and it is slacking....

Im broke, and he never told me that it needed replacing, and therefore didn't save to fix it.

Now im gona have to beg off my mum otherwise i will have NO transport.

I am going to get a stronger chain.

Would you say £80 for the chain including fitting is reasonable? The place i am using says he will use a motocross chain because it is stronger.

Rob

[Spree]

That sounds expensive to me Rob, you need to change both sprockets to so you would be better off buying a kit mate. My local shop charged me £20 to fit mine.

Heres a couple of links for you

Honda CG 125 W 98-00 Chain and Sprocket Kit Izumi

Honda CG125 HD Chain & Sprocket Kit on eBay, also Aprilia, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 03-Aug-08 10:07:45 BST)

Honda CG125 Std Chain & Sprocket Kit on eBay, also Aprilia, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Aug-08 13:35:13 BST)

Honda Chain & Sprocket Kit CG125 1999-00 - Shop at Motorcycle Parts UK

[jonnywombat]

Wot do you mean by knackered??

Is it just slack and how slack is it? how often do you tension your chain is it now on maximum adjustment? how often do you oil the chain? what shape are the teeth on your sprockets? are they worn? maybe a good photo of the sprockets will help.

On a bike there is a certain amount of routine maintenance required.. You really don't have to take it to a shop to have the chain swapped... and, no offense, but you should not need a fancy chain on a cg125... the standard fitment should be more than adequate if maintained correctly.

[robertall]

I have not oiled the chain because i didn't know you had to.

it is on maximum ajustment

Don't know what the teeth look like because my bike has a cover over the chain so i just can't see it.

The guy at the garage said that the motorcross chain costs exactly the same as the normal chain, but stronger. I would have a chain and sproket that lasts 8,000kilometres than one that lasts 5,000kilometres. Sprokets he is talking about cost an extra £10, but when you consider labour costs, its worth it.

I am lazy, i can't be bothered to do loads of work, and i hate paying out labour costs.

It is slightly slack at the moment, but it won't take long (500kilometres, or a week in my case) for it to go too slack to safely drive.

Rob

[skodaphil]

if you have never adjusted, why is it already at full adjustment if a new one was fitted???
doing the mileages (kilometerages????) that you do you should be checking/adjusting/oiling your chain very regularly.

[jonnywombat]

Originally Posted by robertall

I have not oiled the chain because i didn't know you had to.

You need to oil the chain regularly, with a good quality chain lube. There are a few threads here to explain more, and the bikes handbook will have this information also.

Originally Posted by robertall

it is on maximum adjustment

As phil said there is something wrong if this is the case. If the chain has never been adjusted, and the adjusters are on maximum then either you have the wrong chain or the wrong sprockets. My guess is that the chain is not on full adjustment. Again a photo of the adjusters would help us help you

Originally Posted by robertall

Don't know what the teeth look like because my bike has a cover over the chain so i just can't see it.

Thye guard is prolly held in place with 3 bolts...and removing it and taking a photo may save you £80... worthwhile in my book
Also if you have not had a look how do you know it needs sprockets?


Chain and sprockets should last a lot longer than 5 - 8 k, if lubricated and adjusted correctly.. a lot longer!!


Useful Chain Tips

• Chain maintenance is one of the most frequent things you'll be doing on your motorcycle - having a bike with a center stand is ideal for working on the chain, if not invest in a paddock stand.
  
• Check your chain tension half way between the front and back sprocket, about 1 inch / 2,5 cm of play is normal.
  
• Roll the chain along the sprockets when in a neutral position - if the chain has long tight spots (the links are stick) your chain might need to be replaced.
  
• When correctly adjusted pull the chain off the back sprocket, if you can pull it one half of one of the teeth - you’re up for a replacement. Also check for nice sharp sprocket teeth.
  
• When tightening a chain recheck the chain play in the new position you've placed the bike - e.g. on the center stand.
  
• Most motorcycles use o-ring chains versus the conventional chains (o-ring chains last longer) however check that your lubrication doesn't eat away at these o-rings. Use recommended oils and waxes.
  
• Clean the chain before lubing the chain again - apply lubrication at the inside of the chain while the chain is still hot - clean off excessive lube.
  
• Chains and sprockets need to be changed together - it isn't cheap but with good maintenance it will last you a long time.
  
• Refer to your owner manual on how to adjust your chain tension - but make sure to align the tire in the correct way. If you need help then post here and we can talk you through the process.
  
• Bad alignment of sprockets / chains will wear out any chain in a short time - clean sprockets and chain and check for irregular wear marks.
  
• Chains can be joined together by a spring clip (easy removable) or a master link (creates an endless chain and needs special tools to remove).
  
• If your chain has a spring clip (for safety reasons) make sure the closed end is pointing towards the travel direction of the bike / chain.
  
• You can also get x-ring chains, which have the same characteristics as an o-ring chain however with less drag.
  
• Watch out for battery acid dripping down on your chain while doing battery maintenance

[Nipedley]

Strange how its gone so fast, my chain has lasted me 2500 miles so far and its still got good tension & sharp sprocket teeth, at least for now.. I hope you get it sorted soon mate, its never nice to have a bike under the weather

[robertall]

Chain is slightly rusty.

Previous owner didn't know how to maintain a bike (probably).

Rob

[robertall]

Engine is seized now.

Rob

[druidsam]

Originally Posted by robertall

Engine is seized now.

Rob

ok.. something here isnt right, how can you go from a slack chain to a seized engine in half a dozen posts:conf used:



.................................Sam