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Do you run without a chain guard?

  • Thread starter Thread starter snyderman
  • Start date Start date
S

snyderman

Guest
Pulled the Chain guard off my 1978 gs750 (I am tearing down for a restore), and I really like the look of the bike without it. I am going for a bare bones look anyway. But judging from the half inch thick layer of goo on the inside of the guard, it was doing more than just looking ugly. Could you guys that have removed yours let me know; how bad is the mess from running without it?

Thanks!
 
I would never run with out a chain guard, I've seen what can happen when a chain can come unglued. Not to mention the mess it can create with the lube and in the rain.
 
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My bike didn't come with one when I bought it and it's been a non-issue. I dunno how much it would protect you if the chain decided to come apart at speed, they look a little flimsy.
 
I've run without them.... (don't have one on now in fact). It is definitely messy in my opinion. (Especially with the PJ1 "no fling" lube - the "no fling" bit is a complete lie).

Don't have any rain round here to test ;) :D

If you run with a passenger make sure they are aware... it is their left foot that is probably at biggest risk of getting caught up.

:)
 
salty_monk said:
I've run without them.... (don't have one on now in fact). It is definitely messy in my opinion. (Especially with the PJ1 "no fling" lube - the "no fling" bit is a complete lie).

Don't have any rain round here to test ;) :D

If you run with a passenger make sure they are aware... it is their left foot that is probably at biggest risk of getting caught up.

:)
Click to expand...

Agreed, it's a mess. Saw a thread on chain lubricant at one time and a person had mentioned a wax type lubricant bought at lowes/home depot. Will try that soon.

I have been running without a guard for some time, The look is no bother to me, just have not fixed the crack in it yet.

Some states require it for inspection so if you do remove and actually bother to get your bike inspected :rolleyes: make sure you hang onto it and remember where you put it.
 
When I rode from NY to CA earlier this year, I shipped the chain guard out along with other parts, mostly because it'd make cleaning/waxing the chain every night a lot easier while fully-loaded.

Of course my chain bit it and the only replacement we could find was non o-ring, therefore oil not wax was needed.

That got messy ...
 
UncleMike said:
When I rode from NY to CA earlier this year, I shipped the chain guard out along with other parts, mostly because it'd make cleaning/waxing the chain every night a lot easier while fully-loaded.

Of course my chain bit it and the only replacement we could find was non o-ring, therefore oil not wax was needed.

That got messy ...
Click to expand...

Really? I don't remember you not having a chain guard....:confused:
 
I don't have one on any of my seven road-ready bikes, and have NO problem at all.





Of course, thay are all shaft-driven, but ... :-\\\ :D

.
 
And now, the brand new sprockets and chain look so good, I don't want to cover them up!
 
JEEPRUSTY said:
What we need is someone to design a chain case for us.
Click to expand...

+1! Something that covers the top and bottom of the chain path, as well as 3 sides of the chain itself. You've got to leave at least some access for maintenance. I'll start asking around the local shops. We're heading into winter anyway, might get the labor cheaper.
 
Toasty said:
I dunno how much it would protect you if the chain decided to come apart at speed, they look a little flimsy.
Click to expand...

I bet as long as the guard was in good shape to begin with it would absorb enough energy as it gets destroyed to make the flailing chain significantly less annoying.

I run a guard on my KLR, the GS has one as well but I took the chain off as soon as I got it, damn thing gets in the way when it's not hooked up to a countershaft :D
 
salty_monk said:
Don't have any rain round here to test ;) :D
Click to expand...

Wait a little while. I predict it will start raining about five minutes after I leave work tonight. I'd say about a 60% chance, it's only that low because I did think ahead enough to wear my more waterproof gear today.

(Riding was mandatory today, only able to ride today and Friday this week due to shuttling kids.)
 
Looks or function?
No chain guard looks cool especially with gold chains.

With chain guard:
Crap not flying everywhere.
Still very easy to lube.
Safety for you, passenger and slipping saddle bags.
Flimsy looking but enough to keep that chain from damaging you or bike... then again you might worry about wheel lockup or engine damage if it jams up either sprocket anyway!
You hope that it just vomits out onto the pavement and you notice the lack of acceleration before over revving the engine! But then again, you haven't been doing proper maintence if that happens or pushing a stretched chain too far, or master link improperly secured.

Go with the chain guard is what I suggest!
 
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Sojourner said:
+1! Something that covers the top and bottom of the chain path, as well as 3 sides of the chain itself. You've got to leave at least some access for maintenance. I'll start asking around the local shops. We're heading into winter anyway, might get the labor cheaper.
Click to expand...

Harley did that with their dressers at one time. It was totally enclosed and ran in grease, didn't work all that well and then they went to the belt.
 
Due to some after market rear shocks (PO's work) that don't allow the chain guard to fit, I'm running without, for now. It is messy though. I cleaned my chain up earlier in the summer and had everything nice and clean. As soon as I lubed and rode...all my hard work cleaning was undone.

As soon as I get the proper shocks on the bike, the chain guard is going on.
 
here is one i made for my GS, before i fitted the hugger.......

jspn_P4090233.jpg
 
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