I found a bike frame recently, and it needs some work, but it functions. The chain, however, is badly rusted, and I can't get it off. The only tools I have are limited to very few, and I can't get the chain off using them. A friend suggested bolt cutters, but his dad owns a pair, not me. I can't afford to buy the tool used to remove a chain, so can anyone give me a poor man's solution? Any help is appreciated, I need answers by tomorrow, that's when my friend's coming over to help fix up the bike to make it work.
2006-11-10 14:00:47 · 16 answers · asked by matrixneo_1392 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
The chain is connected to the actual back part, which makes it hard to snap it, and there's no way to find out how to withhow rusted it is. Explain more about master links, somebody.
2006-11-10 14:09:12 · update #1
I can do this with less than ten dollars, because I get parts form junkyards and other old bikes for free. I know some people who can deal with that, but I need the chain off first.
2006-11-10 14:18:10 · update #2
to solve your problem with minimal work, just bring your bike into a LBS and they should have the tool to take it out, shouldnt cost you a dollar or two, they might just do it for you for free!
Cheers
2006-11-10 17:34:00 · answer #1 · answered by Isaac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is worth it. You can get the chain a lot cleaner by removing and dipping in solution, and you can use hot melt wax lubricants, which last longer and shed dirt better. Once a week is not necessary unless you ride wet roads or dirty trails. Even then I can often spray with a hose, wipe down, then spray with a wax lubricant on a few occasions before another hot dip. Dont use solvents or you will have to recoat the chain. While any master link is ok, I find SRAM master links work great, and are much easier to remove and replace. If you find you do need to pull your chain often, replace the master link when it begins to lose resistance when installing. I suggest keeping a new one in your seat pack. Chain links are good for a single pin replacement once, at best. The oem pins are struck, which flares the ends of the pounds to a larger diameter than the links. When you remove an original pin, it shears the surface of the link, removing some material. This means the replacement pin not only will not have the flared edges, it will also be a touch more lose than three original pin. Weak link, indeed. In my experience, the link with the replaced pin will be three failure point, and I was always careful to never pull a pin from a given link more than once, and always inserted a new pin. After five pin failures across three chains, I bought my first chain with a master link, and have never looked back. The chain pin tool is only for shortening new chains to the proper length now.
2016-05-22 04:09:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try buying a container of 3 and 1 oil or better, penetrating oil, if you can afford it. Find the removable link in the chain and soak it thoroughly in oil. Then use a hammer and a flat head screwdriver, and/or plyers, to loosen and eventually pry off the removable link side plate that holds the link on the removable link hinge pins. This is the best way with limited tools.
If you have never seen a removable link before, look for the one pair of hinges that has a different plate on the side of it that has a 'V' shaped slot on at the end of at least one of the hinge pins. This should be visible after using the oil on the whole chain to remove some of the rust.
2006-11-10 14:21:22 · answer #3 · answered by Delaware Dan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you get the chain off with bolt cutters or some other hamfisted way, you will still need a chain tool to install a new chain. They're usually under $15, or you can pay a bike shop the same amount to do it for you.
Either way, bicycles need bicycle specific tools, and there's no way around it. Sorry.
2006-11-11 04:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, im real sorry to hear you don't have a whole lotta money. The only safe way is to go buy a chain tool which removes and replaces links without damaging them. If you have a master link, use a screwdriver. Can you not afford any tools at all?!?
2006-11-11 04:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by bb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a screwdriver between the sproket and chain and as you spin the crank pull the screwdriver towards yourself just a little this will cause the chain to pop out of place and at approx 3/4 of a turn on the crank the chain will just pop off
2006-11-10 14:06:04 · answer #6 · answered by BIG-NICKEL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go and buy a new bike it's generaly cheaper than fixing an old one.
If that doesnt work find the master link and prise it of with a screwdriver or pliers or... they all have a master link.spray withcrc,wd40 or something like that soak in thin oil put back on tighten till you can bearly turn the pedal then just keep forcing the pedals around ti'll loosen up then readjust dont leave it to long or else you'll ruin the wheel and pedal cog bearings.
2006-11-10 14:15:25 · answer #7 · answered by BUSHIDO 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get some dw40 and spray it on there. Then take a something metal and strong and little enough to fit in a link in the chain and work it off. If you can't afford wd40 try cooking oil. Or why don't you ask your friend to borrow you the bolt cutters???
2006-11-10 14:07:00 · answer #8 · answered by besitos2610 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Use a metal cutting hand saw (hacksaw). Put the chain in the a vice and cut away at a link. Because the chain is very rusty you should not reuse the chain. Good luck!
2006-11-12 16:41:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you either gonna need to buy to cramks or a new chain and snap them both off considering the condition of your bike
2006-11-10 14:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋