Do you run without a chain guard?

[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!

[mrbill5491]

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.

[Toasty]

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.

[salty_monk]

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

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.

[JEEPRUSTY]

What we need is someone to design a chain case for us.

[Rover]

Need one for an inspection sticker in some states.

[Crankthat]

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

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.

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 make sure you hang onto it and remember where you put it.

[UncleMike]

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 ...

[Baatfam]

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 ...

Really? I don't remember you not having a chain guard....

[UncleMike]

Really? I don't remember you not having a chain guard....

Yeah. Figured I'd be "smart" and run lean'n'mean.

[Billy Ricks]

I don't run one. The rearsets I use have a bit of guard built into them to keep your foot and pants outs of the chain. Dupont makes a dry wax teflon lube that makes very little mess. You can get it a Lowe's or Home Depot.

http://www.solomotoparts.com/DuPONT-Teflon-Chain-Saver-Dry-Wax-Lubricant/?utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=organic&zmam=92312807&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=01023570&gclid=CLi_-a3c97ICFcKPPAodNT4AcA

[Steve]

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 ...

.

[UncleMike]

And now, the brand new sprockets and chain look so good, I don't want to cover them up!

[Sojourner]

What we need is someone to design a chain case for us.

+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.

[GSequoia]

I dunno how much it would protect you if the chain decided to come apart at speed, they look a little flimsy.

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