Casing carnage

[Blaner]

Well, some of you may remember this: http://www.blasterforum.com/full-rebuilds-128/another-south-african-rebuild-41839/ My cousins blaster rebuild in about july

A new stanard issue DID chain (No O-ring) was fitted. The bike has done about 50km tops including one short 30km ride. My cousin was using it to do an out of town funduro and after about 5km, the chain let go cracking the casing.

I havent personally had a chance to inspect but he sent me these pics...seems like it should be able to weld up, im assuming the shift shaft will be bent too tho...

Enjoy and let me know what you think the best solution is in terms of repairing the broken cases...

 

[sicivicdude]

That's the master link.... it wasn't the chain's "fault", he probably hit a stick and knocked the e-clip off of the master link and never even realized it. A little while down the road, the "washer" link fell off and BAM!

It does look like the shift shaft is bent. Make sure a new one is fitted before having that welded. I imagine that's a tough area to get to tig weld because of contamination.... dirt from underneath and it sits in oil the whole time. Make sure whoever repairs it removes the seals and then heats the cases sufficiently to drive out that oil so they get a good deep penetration.

 

[Blaner]

Ya agreed that it was the master link that went, looking at this pic......

I can see the master link and it is facing the right way, if it was installed backwards, i wouldnt be surprised.

Going to split the cases and get it clean so that it can be welded from the inside as well. im worried about having the shift shaft hole being out of line or facing a few degree off perpendicular to the shaft once welded, that would be a problem but i think getting a new shaft 1st will help the engineers get it right.

Going to take it in as alluminium welding is not our forte in our garage

 

[sicivicdude]

You could probably straighten the shift shaft satisfactorily, the bend (if it actually is bent, it sure LOOKS bent but that might be just my crooked eyes!) looks gentle. I've straightened shift shafts before with satisfactory results.

I'm not sure they'll be able to get a tiggy down inside the case very well but you can sure try. There's nothing over there to hit so they can kinda blob it on in there. I believe it would probably be plenty strong if it were just welded on the outside. Aluminum has a funny thing about it.... Tig welding actually hardens it at the weld site (contrary to steel which is softened in the heat affected area) so the material back away from the weld is actually the weak point once an area is welded. Doing dual layers (inside and outside) won't change that dynamic except *possibly* moving the weaker area farther back and *possibly* to a less strong spot. Something to look into!

 

[super noober]

isnt that link the wrong way? i have always thought u want the open end to be facing backwards when its on the low end of the chain so grass and sticks cant grab it. that link will be facing open end frontwards when it comes around

 

[sicivicdude]

From where I'm sitting, it looks like the "e-clip" is pointed the correct direction. I think I see the "open" end facing the camera. That's the correct way (if I'm seeing this right and the open end is backwards) because the chain is going "forwards" on top and "backwards" on bottom.

 

[Blaner]

the open end is facing the rear of the bike while on the top length of the chain (feeding the sprocket) you want the rounded edge going into the sprocket

 

[super noober]

huh.. ive done it wrong for years lol. but judging by your pics im gonna still do it that way

 

[sicivicdude]

520 O Ring Chain Conector Master Link MX Dirt Bike ATV | eBay

Problem solved... no master link to pop back off.

 

[stephen]

mine broke the same way, i posted it some were? Just had it welded last week but i think the shifter is bend, because it doesn't pull back like it must,
I'll look for the post and putt some pics of the welding up tonight

 

[stephen]

http://i37.tinypic.com/2gt9ls5.jpg
There it is.

 

[super noober]

http://i37.tinypic.com/2gt9ls5.jpg
There it is.

yikes!! and u say ur link was installed the same way and thats where it broke?

 

[thomas-ralph]

isnt that link the wrong way? i have always thought u want the open end to be facing backwards when its on the low end of the chain so grass and sticks cant grab it. that link will be facing open end frontwards when it comes around

Same here with the split link i have the open end facing forwards.
Whats the right way for it to face?

 

[CARNZ]

heres how my master-link ended up after using those cheap-ass clip links

let this be a lesson to you all as it was to me, USE A RIVET MASTER LINK!

the tusk chain riveter on RMATV is dirt cheap and i think it's worth it for the peace of mind

 

[dbowhntr]

Same here with the split link i have the open end facing forwards.
Whats the right way for it to face?

The open end should be facing opposite the direction of rotation.

 

[thomas-ralph]

The open end should be facing opposite the direction of rotation.

Lol I have had mine the rong way for a while then.

 

[Blaner]

ya think riveted is the way. and gee stephen thats almost identical!

 

[Budget_Blaster]

I personally wouldnt waste time having it welded.Youre going to need to disassemble it to look for peices why not just replace the case?Theyre cheap and since youll have it apart dont mess with a repaired case.Thats my opinion.

 

[stephen]

Cases aren't that cheap where we live! So i repaired mine and it cost me only 6 beers!

 

[Blaner]

With the exchange rate of R7.80 = $1, shipping half way around the world and custom, and 3-4 weeks waiting time its not worth it. for somethings it is, but not when its fixable.