diary of a dead chain

[skiggitty]

I bought my GS about 1 month ago and on first visual knew chain needed to be replaced.  I finally got new chain installed last night and wanted to share pics of what the previous owner let transpire. 


notice all the o-ring bits


fuzzy but notice more broken o-rings and lovely rust on chain.


Also of note to aptitude of the prior owner is that I found the original bolt for petcock inside sprocket enclosure under 1/2" of gunk.  Now I know why there was a non-original bolt holding petcock to the frame.  Also found gas tank overflow tube missing (explains why left carb looked like it was leaking).  I am suddenly very worried about what other "maintenance" the previous owner did....

[dgyver]

I have never seen an o-ring chain worn like that. 

You are right...better do a thorough check of the rest of the bike.

[SeriousGeorge]

I should have taken pictures when I replaced my chain. I was chiseling 3/8" thick crud from behind that area too. My chain wasn't in good shape, but it still looked a lot better than that one.

[pandy]

 

[skiggitty]

same reaction I had when I took the sprocket cover off and found the mess inside.   

[Admiral Crunch]

I saw about the same thing when I replaced the chain on my bike.  The previous owner really neglected his chain.  And the bottle of chain lube he gave me isn't even safe for o-ring chains.  I have no idea if he actually used it.

[Egaeus]

I believe the gunk is inevitable, but damn...that's a mess. 

As far as the original petcock bolt...well....I can't say much.  I dropped one of the air box bolts, and couldn't find it after 2 days of looking.  I have no idea where it went, but it wasn't onto the ground.  Now I have an old bolt from somewhere else on the bike holding the petcock on (same as air box bolts).  That way, it doesn't look so strange.

[trumpetguy]

And the bottle of chain lube he gave me isn't even safe for o-ring chains.  I have no idea if he actually used it.

That may be the very real issue right there!!  That picture should be on the Wiki -- do not use chain lube not specifically made for O-ring chains!