Dominator chain in Dakar
 

Hi,
I'm in Bamako, heading for Dakar on a 1996 Honda Dominator and am experiencing what I believe to be excessive chain wear. Ultimately, I'm heading for Dublin, Ireland and will be travelling through Spain, where I feel sure that I can find a chain.
I just don't know if my chain will last that long (at least 3000 km to get there) and would like to pick up a new one in Dakar if possible.
Anyone out there know if there is a Honda dealer in Dakar, or somewhere else where I can get a chain?

Regarding the wear on my chain, I'm lubing the chain daily with SAE 90W gear oil, setting the play to the recommended 30-40 mm, with my luggage on board (I have also set the tension with no luggage on board with similar amount of wear: any advice as to whether I should set the tension with or without luggage on the bike is welcome), but the chain is so loose after a day's ride (circa 350-400 km) that it almost touches the underside of the swing arm.
Does this sound normal, or can someone offer some advice?
Also, any indications on the sort of life can I expect from a good-quality, after-market chain, which is what I have fitted?

Thanks for the help,
Ken.

If you take the autoroute to the airport, from the big roundabout, after a couple of kms you pass by two service stations, (Mobil ans Shell) and after another km on the right you will see a small shack with a load of bikes outside. Ask for Eric (French) and he should be able to tell you where to get it, if possible.

Alternativly have someone buy it in Europe and send it to Dakar. Lufthansa cargo have a depot in the airport and seem to be very reliable. I think this option is more of a guarantee as most of the big bikes in Dakar are Suzis or Yamahas.

Hi Ken,
I suppose you're using an O-Ring chain: theese should be used dry, without lubrication in dusty/sandy environment! Used dry a good chain will still last for over 10'000-15'000km.
If the chain starts to stretch, that means that the O-rings are allready damaged and the lubrifiant they seal is lost. If this happend I would continue to lubricate it, but clean it daily (remove any sand, dust, dirt). It could be quite hard to reach Dakkar with this chain anyway...

With some luck only some or only one joint of the chain is damaged (that happened to me once because I neglected lubricating the chain on assembly). If you could identify the worn joint(s) and replace them you're lucky.

Good luck!, Yves