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  #1  
Old 3 Oct 2011
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Broken chain - F650GS twin
To fix a broken chain, I was planning on carrying a chain breaker and a couple of split links. However, my current chain is an 525 OE continuous type and BMW don't supply split links for it.

- where can I find a split link for it? Has stumped all so far.
- would a Motion Pro T6 chain tool be strong enough to break my chain?
- Do I need to buy a new chain with a soft link just to be able to make field repairs, and then would I have to have a rivet tool as well as a breaker?

Thanks for any thoughts!
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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The breaker is the rivet tool. Soft links are on e-bay, just buy the 520 size, nothing BMW special about it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THC-520-O-...item5d306acf95

Personally I'd buy a couple of spring clip type links.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTOCROSS-...item2a0c2f35eb

Far lighter than the chain breaker and good for thousands of miles. Riveted is better and if a workshop supplied one you'd complain, but fine to get to a workshop. Think of it like a patched tube, you wouldn't buy one but they are fine to use.

In twenty years riding BTW I've know one chain snap. That was fitted a day before by a dealer and was riveted. Glad I've never wasted the petrol lugging a chain breaker about.

Andy
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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Thanks for that Threewheelbonnie - but the chain breaker I had been recommended - Motion Pro T6:

adventure spec tools motion pro t6 chain tool

says specifically that it does not rivet.

And anyway, I would need a chain breaker to remove a broken link to make space for a split link anyway, no?

It was actually a 525 chain split link I was after but I have found a bunch on eBay as you suggested. But which one? DID, Iris...? Or will any of them fit a 525 chain?
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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Riveter
After years of carrying one I decided to not bother on my trip through Africa.

Only when it snapped, was chewed and bent did I realise I'll carry one with me in future. In Namibia, temp hitting late 30's, no shade (see pic) 60kms to the nearest town, a 1/2 bottle of water and a packet of Biltong was all I had to accompany me for the 4 hour wait for some gracious bakkie driver to get me back to the town I'd came from. With a chain tool I'd have had it done in 15 minutes and been on my way..! (I was carrying spare links) it's a useless bit of kit until you need it..!!!!

The plus side..... had a great night on the piss with the bakkie driver..!
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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Hey Goo

PM me your address and I will post you a couple of unused 525 links I have lying about.

steve
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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Solution.
Here's the only permanent solution to your problem...!!!!!!
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Old 3 Oct 2011
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Carrying a spare bike??!?
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Old 4 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goo View Post
Carrying a spare bike??!?
No, just the three foot long 20 KG splined shaft

When the chain has snapped you have a gap already. You need a file and a punch and something to use as a hammer. These are multipurpose items so might get you out of other scrapes. Take the chain off, drive the pins out of the broken link, fileing the heads off if required. Pull into place, insert the new link and either rivet up with a non-adventure chain tool, or ping the C-clip into place with pliers (also multi purpose).

MZ had the best solution BTW, enclose the chain in a grease bath and use a basic industrial chain you can buy from hardware stores rated for 40 HP on a 20 HP bike. Mine's on 85,000 KM. The key unfortunately is connections for the chain case on the back of the engine. Without this factor fit enclosed chains have always been a disaster.

Andy
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Old 4 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
No, just the three foot long 20 KG splined shaft

Spare shaft: 2 kg
Spare chain: 1,83 kg

But you don't need to carry a spare so who cares
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Old 4 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
Spare shaft: 2 kg
Spare chain: 1,83 kg

But you don't need to carry a spare so who cares
2 clip links, 20g.

Andy
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