How do I take my old chain off my BMX and replace it with a new one.?

Question

At the moment it has a normal silver chain but I now have a blue chain to match the bike but how do I take the old one off and fit the new one?

Answer 1

Man, fashion fashion fashion. Hate for the chain not to match the bike. Well, at least you are willing to do the dirty work yourself! All the answers are fine (well, except taking off the back wheel one, that was pretty silly).

If you have a master link, it is pretty easy to pop the old one off. Actually, if you are going to throw the old chain away, you could hacksaw that right off...no harm there. But to get the new chain on it will either have the master link (just look at it), or you will need a chain link remover tool. Actually, you will probably need the tool anyways, to adjust the size of the chain. Before you throw the old chain away, lay the two chains next to each other, and compare the number of links there are. Probably you will need to use the chain link remover tool to take a couple links off. It's pretty easy to use (do these steps if you need to resize the blue chain by making it smaller):

Line up any pin in the blue chain with the pin extractor in the tool.
Then turn the handle until the pin comes almost all the way out. With a little wriggling, unhook the link. It is best to leave the pin just sticking inside the link though, as it is a beatch to replace the pin once it is out. In the past, if I screwed up, and the pin came all the way out, I would just go to the next link and start again. Usually if you are one link off the chain won't know the difference.

Now put the chain on the bike (it is just one big snake right now). Loop it around the chainring on the front and the sprocket on the back.

Then reinsert the first link/pin into the other end. Work the pin into the hole using the same tool again.

Finally, you should grasp the chain on each side of where you put the pin in, and wiggle it back and forth, up and down, to remove any stiffness in the connection (it will likely be stiff, and you don't want that).

Hope this helps...good luck! Email me if you have any difficulties, I would be glad to help if I could.

Answer 2

Loosening back wheel shouldn't help much unless you want to get the hacksaw and cut up your frame as well - you'll know or will soon know what I mean.

Don't think chain technology has changed too much over years and think still only two types. Can't give you tech terms but think you'll know what I mean below.

One type of chain has a special connecting link which has an extra piece on it visible at the side of the chain which works in the same sort of way as a 'circlip' - this part is shaped like an elongated 'u' and clamps into grooves in the end of the pins and has to be prised out of them using a pair of long nose pliers or possibly with a flat ended screwdriver to open up the open end of the 'u'. Once removed, the side of the link can be pulled off and the two pins of the link can be pushed out. Rejoining can be a pain but you should be able to do it by placing the 'u' shaped piece over one of the links and squeezing it back onto the second pin with your pliers - place it over one of the pins and then 'slide' it in the same direction as the chain as opposed to trying to place it over both pins and pressing it onto them. It'll slide into the grooves but will take some effort. Loosen the wheel anyway as this will give you more play in the chain and make it easier to do.

On the other type of chain there should be a special 'pin' (either with a dimple at the end or being flat at the end - can't remember - but different to all the other pin ends) which needs to be pushed out using a chain splitting tool. These are fairly inexpensive and available from most decent cycling shops but worth getting a good one as it makes it much easier to use and helps prevent the link clamping together when you re-join which would cause a stiff link. If you get this try pushing the link back the other way a little bit or trying to bend the chain from side to side until it frees up. Don't push the pin all the way out of the link when you split the chain. The splitting tool is used to rejoin the chain but working in reverse and in this case just try to make sure the pin projects an even amount on either side of the link when you push it back into place. If you can't find a 'special pin' don't worry too much as I've split my mountain bike chain (which is this type) several times and have done the normal pins with no problem.

Kinda hard to explain without diagrams so hope you get what I'm on about. Pop down to your local bike shop anyway, because they'll show you and probably give you a hand. Also consider buying a book on bike maintenance - once had a good one by 'Haynes' which was my bible at the time and worth every penny.

Hope this helps - good luck!

Answer 3

take a close look at the chain and there should be a link that has got a split in it, just use a pair of pliers to undo it and your new chain should have a split link also. just do the same to your new chain and after you have put it on your bike make sure that you do it back up again properly or else it will undo its self and come loose.

but before you go and put this new chain onto your bike, soak it in a tub of oil or a day or two so that the oil works it self into the chain properly. that will lessen the chance of any wear and tear.

Answer 4

Buy a chain link remover from a local bike shop ( walmart ahs them also.)

for the new chain, I would check a local bike shop for the right size and lenght ( unless you know already.) But once you have the new chain and link remover, you should be ready to go, just follow the instructions that come with the link remover.

Answer 5

Leave the bike in the front yard till stolen, then the problem is solved. And you'll have a chain to beat the thief with, when you catch them.

Answer 6

their is a master link on the chain you take it off then you can remove the chain from the frame and put new one on the same way it came off

Answer 7

I agree along with your mom. that could be a waste of money. there is a few places you are able to no longer bypass on a bike. It won't take you everywhere. If i replaced into your mom, i does no longer purchase it for you. yet once you're determining to purchase it, bypass forward yet you're able to think of roughly it greater. Why no longer in basic terms shop you cash and get an fairly cool vehicle? specific, gasoline is expensive yet are you able to bypass on the line on a bike? And once you're in college - going to actual life, grown up college on a bike? i does no longer purchase it. good luck along with your determination.

Answer 8

loosen the back wheel!


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