Chains are a crucial part of any vehicle, and they need to maintain just as diligently. This includes checking for wear or damage so that it doesn’t break during use.
Some chains can go off the chain breaker when being serviced – but luckily there’s another way. With some tools like an adjustable wrench, you can tighten bolts at each end which will snap apart the links in your chain with ease.
If you’re in the unfortunate situation of having to break your dirt bike chain, there are a few options. The first step is to use a chain breaker which can be purchased online or at your local motorcycle dealership.
The second option is to try and pry it apart with two screwdrivers, but this won’t always work because dirt bikes have thicker chains than other types of motorcycles.
The third method involves removing the rear wheel, loosening or removing the axle nut on one side, and then using a hammer to tap against the opposite end of the axle until you get enough tension on both ends that they snap together.
This usually only works for small-sized dirt bikes; however, if you don’t want to go through all that trouble.
Before you proceed to the step-by-step process, it is important to gather all the things you need for this tutorial. These are the following:
-
Bike stand
-
Chain cleaner
-
Hammer
-
Plier
-
Thin nail
-
Lubricant
Then, you are now ready to break your bike chain without a chain tool. The procedure for removing and installing a dirt bike chain is simple and takes little time. If your chain hasn’t snapped but you still want to replace it, follow these steps.
-
The master chain link.
-
The holding clip should be removed.
-
The chainplate should be removed.
-
Remove the master pin.
-
Bring on the new chain!
-
If necessary, adjust the length.
-
Master pin should be installed.
-
Set up the chainplate.
-
Place the retaining clip in place.
Remove The Dirt Bike Chain
Your bike chain will eventually stretch out or rust, and you will need to replace it. Poor shifting and a loud chain are signs that you should remove and replace your chain.
While a bike chain removal tool is created particularly for this purpose, the chain may be removed from your bike without the need for any specialist tools. To remove the chain, you’ll need extra equipment like needle nose pliers and a hammer.
1. The Master Link
Before you begin, you need to lift your rear wheel off the ground. I throw my bike on the stand. If you don’t have a booth, you’ll have to improvise one.
The master link is the only place you can cut the chain without the need for a chain breaker tool. Unless your chain breaks!
The link consists of the master pin, the master plate, and a clip that holds it together. Find this hanging link so that you can remove the chain.
2. Remove The Retaining Clip
When you install a new chain, you get a new clip to go with it. This means that you can use pliers without worrying about deforming them since you will throw them away.
If you do reuse it you will definitely want to use the flathead screwdriver approach. Sometimes that’s easier than the pliers anyway.
Place the drive between the clips as shown in the picture and rotate it left or right to force the clip open. At the same time, you need to slide the clip to the left to remove it.
3. Remove the Master Link Plate
This should only be peeled off with your fingers. If it’s stuck, try a bit of gentle coaxing with the flat head driver.
4. Remove The Master Pin
Finally, pull the pinout of the suspension link here. Most of the time these are easy to pull out, but from time to time you need to encourage them. The chain should now be disconnected and if you turn the wheel slightly, the chain will roll off in a heap on the floor.
5. Roll Up The New Chain
The new one can be rolled up as easily as the old chain is unrolled. If you’ve installed a chain guard on the front end of the sprocket, which you likely will have, it may be easier to install the chain when it’s off.
Roll the chain on the rear wheel and feed it through, around the front sprocket and back to the rear sprocket. As I said, if you’ve bought a kit it will likely marry well as mine is pictured below.
6. Adjust The Chain Length If Necessary
Now it would be time to adjust the chain length by removing links to make it shorter. Below this post, I’ll talk more about how you can do this.
7. Install The Master Pin
Take your new master pin and insert it into the links to complete the chain. Push it through from behind.
8. Install The Plate
The plate goes over the pins to form the hanging link. You’ll likely need pliers here to put enough pressure on it to push it open completely. There is a tool you can buy for this, but in my experience pliers work well.
9. Install The Retaining Clip
The clip can be a little fiddly, so patience may be required. You have to make sure you get it on the right track. You want the closed end of the clip to point in the same direction as the chain so that it doesn’t sound off if it gets caught on dirt or brush.
What Is The Best Way To Measure A Dirt Bike Chain?
You don’t just measure the chain to acquire a unit measurement if you’re attempting to figure out how long an existing chain is. Because of chain stretch, doing this on a worn chain will not be correct.
Count the links in a chain to determine its length. This way, you may purchase a new chain with the same number of links and be sure it’s the same size as the old one.
Verdict
What do you do when your dirt bike chain snaps? Well, if you don’t have a way to break it, the best thing to do is use brute force.
With this method, all your weight should be on one foot and then push down with your knee as hard as possible while attempting to pull up at the same time.
If that doesn’t work for you either try pulling back or pushing forward to get some slack so that there’s room for more tension between the two pieces of metal chains.
You may also want to try flipping over onto your stomach. So, see if any part of your body can help out by applying pressure from below (such as putting both feet on top) before continuing.
