Red dye on chain links

[TommyT]

Sorry to keep pestering you guys with questions.

When I fitted my chain (about 3k mls ago) it was too short and I had to ride with it too tight for the first 1,000 mls or so. Recently I got a bad tight spot, but with careful lubrication I managed to free up the link somewhat. Anway, at the time I noticed red dye had leaked out of about 3 or 4 other links in different places, meaning the seals had gone. So my questions is, as long as long as there aren't any significant tight spots on the chain, is it safe to go on using it?

[markharf]

That's not red dye: that's rust. Replace your chain.

[electric_monk]

There is no red dye in a chain, it is probably rust.
How come the chain was too tight from the start?
Did you put it on or did a bike shop?
Where did you buy the chain?
I live in Dublin and if I can be any help in ensuring that you don't suffer the same problem then just PM me.

[TommyT]

Originally Posted by electric_monk

There is no red dye in a chain, it is probably rust.

Could be all right. I read the red dye thing on a website somewhere. According to the site, X and O ring chain manufacturers tint the lube they seal in the rings so you can see when the rings have failed and the lube is leaking out.Around the time I got the tight spot (which you so kindly helped me with), there were several spots along the chain where red dye (rust?) had leaked from the seals onto the rollers. It seemed too bright to be rust, but who knows. Anyway, to be on the safe side, I took the chain off and boiled it in oil.

I'm loath to chuck the C&S in the bin when it's had so few miles on it. There's no rust on it (not on the outside anyway!) and it's still tight on the back sprocket.

How come the chain was too tight from the start?

I was sent me the wrong length of chain. I went with a bigger rear sprocket and the guy in the mail order company guessed I needed an extra 2 links when in fact I needed 4.

Did you put it on or did a bike shop?

I do all my C&S.

Where did you buy the chain?

They're a very reputable crowd - I wouldn't like to blacken their name. They admitted their error and gave me a discount on a new C&S kit.

I live in Dublin and if I can be any help in ensuring that you don't suffer the same problem then just PM me.

You may come to regret that some day ;-)
Thanks though.

[Pigford]

As a note, rubber grease (as used for brake seals, etc) is usually RED.

Running a bike with a "tight chain" is a big NO-NO !!! Even more so on a long travel suspenion bike. Just learn from the experience and don't do it again, you naughty boy

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Another Note,

I don't think you're supposed to subject an o-ring chain to "boiling in oil"

As said by Pigford running a chain tight is a no-no. You are lucky you haven't buggered up the output shaft bearing.

I always buy chain too long and take the required links out to fit depending on what gearing I'm running.