Do you run without a chain guard?

[GSequoia]

Don't have any rain round here to test

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.)

[lurch12_2000]

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!

[mrbill5491]

+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.

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.

[MAJikMARCer]

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.

[Agemax]

here is one i made for my GS, before i fitted the hugger.......

[gsgeezer]

I had a guy fab one for me that looks better than the stock one.
As mentioned, if you use the waxy lube that helps with "fling".
Many people over lube their chains, though, with much of
the extra lube being deposited elswhere.

[Sojourner]

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.

I didn't envision a closed system. What I was thinking was sort of a three-sided box (like a letter C). Top and bottom covered, as well as the side facing out towards the left side of the bike so no laces, feet, etc. get sucked in. The right side would remain open so you could get to the master link and wipe down/maintain the chain. I was also thinking about the attachment points. Make a simple disconnect (cotter pin? not sure) so you don't have to unbolt a bunch of stuff in order to get the cover all the way off.

The thought being is that the three sides would protect the chain better than the stock guard. Might not be advisable given chain slack though. The cover would have to be pretty wide to accommodate...

[MisterCinders]

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 ...

.

That is a lie. You have two plastic ones to protect the engine and the tensioner.

[chuck hahn]

Someone posted about the NO FLING being a lie...so my question is this. When do you lube your chain...right before you ride or just when you return? If you answer is just before you ride, then your doing it wrong. You lube a hot chain..IE just after you come back from a ride. This allows the heated chain to draw lube into the rollers better AND to evaporate the carriers used so it will spray. And another function of the guard is to keep the passengers pant leg from flapping into the rear sprocket...that wouldnt be a good day for anyone on that bike.

[MisterCinders]

I don't like the chain guard, but removing it seems sketchy for the reasons mentioned.

Has anyone tried modding or replacing the stock chainguard for something a bit leaner and/or sexier looking?

[chuck hahn]

OH and another tip...after it has sat for whatever length of time between the sparying and the next time your gonna ride, take a rag and roll the chain thru it and wipe the excess off before you ride.

[whiterabbitt]

+1^ learned this all by myself, running without a guard. got tired of cleaning lube off of everything near the chain.
The chain guard doesnt help keep anything clean that is below or between the chain, you will still get goo on your swingarm, exhaust (if stock), centerstand, hub, wheel, and anything else in the area.

[salty_monk]

OH and another tip...after it has sat for whatever length of time between the sparying and the next time your gonna ride, take a rag and roll the chain thru it and wipe the excess off before you ride.

You can't do this with PJ1 (which is the one I posted was a lie)....

That stuff is so sticky you physically can't get a rag to wipe smoothly across the chain once it has dried & you get all sorts of fluff etc stuck on the chain in the process.... & it still flings.

I'm currently using a Motorex one which is better but I might go the cheap teflon wax way next time... http://www.bikebandit.com/motorex-of...FcKDQgod5H0AmA

[Agemax]

does anyone remember the pots of chain wax you had to boil up on the stove and boil your chain in it? then hang it up to dry, was like a real thick wax. i used to use it many many years ago........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Putoline-Chain-Wax-1kg-Tub-Boiling-Wax-Motorcycle-/350087147453?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item5182d1efbd#ht_593wt_1037

[Allie]

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 ...

.

TROLL!