Chain too short?!

[MTS620]

WTF... Tonight I finally get the time to pull the wheels off my bike so I can replace tires for the upcoming track day. I loosen the nut and adjusters and slide the rear axle as far forward as it will go. I can't get the friggin' chain off the sprocket:yell::censored:. Due to lazyness and time constraints on my part, the last two tire changes were done at Cycle Parts, so this is the first time I've tried to remove this wheel. Should I force the chain? or should I say how much can I force it without getting myself further into trouble?

I'm pretty sure the problem is that the previous owner replaced the rear sprocket with a 42 (stock is 38), but didn't get a longer chain at the same time. Never the less, that wheel has been off twice since I've owned it. Am I missing something? I've only pulled wheels a few times, but I've never had trouble.

I have to get this fixed soon. Track day is on Monday. Please help.

[wesleyw]

Um...masterlink? Mine has now stretched far enough to get it off without splitting the chain, but I've not yet had one that would fit over the sprockets new, I've always had to assemble with a masterlink, and since I go through chains and tires like mad, I use a clipped one instead of the rivet on type...I'm not familiar with your bike, but its an idea...

[Alex9101]

Well I never had to loosen adjusters... all I do is remove the axle and the wheel drops on the ground and you take the chain of the sprocket...

[MTS620]

Well I never had to loosen adjusters... all I do is remove the axle and the wheel drops on the ground and you take the chain of the sprocket...

Thanks! That's what I ended up doing and it worked great. On my previous bike I didn't have to do it that way. Thanks for the responses.


Next problem: Front axle is 'reluctant' to come out. The axle nut is off and the pinch bolts have been loosened, but I've only gotten the axle to slide about an inch. I'm reluctant to use a drift to pound it out, how do you guys do it?

[TOM-CAT]

Thanks! That's what I ended up doing and it worked great. On my previous bike I didn't have to do it that way. Thanks for the responses.


Next problem: Front axle is 'reluctant' to come out. The axle nut is off and the pinch bolts have been loosened, but I've only gotten the axle to slide about an inch. I'm reluctant to use a drift to pound it out, how do you guys do it?

Don't beat on it, if you have already moved it an inch in one direction. Can you move it back? Will it move freely back and forth over the one inch of travel? Or is it really stiff to move? Are you supporting the front wheel while you are trying to remove the axle? The trick to axles is to twist them out, not force or push them through. If you have already managed to move it an inch, there is no reason it should not go the rest of the way without being forced. Just be patient and twist it out. If you have a strap wrench it will help with the twisting. Wear gloves and use paper towel to clean the portion of the axle your grabbing on to. Finally, to reduce this problem in the future, lube the axles (according to your manual) before reinstalling.

:2cents:

[MTS620]

Don't beat on it, if you have already moved it an inch in one direction. Can you move it back? Will it move freely back and forth over the one inch of travel? Or is it really stiff to move? Are you supporting the front wheel while you are trying to remove the axle? The trick to axles is to twist them out, not force or push them through. If you have already managed to move it an inch, there is no reason it should not go the rest of the way without being forced. Just be patient and twist it out. If you have a strap wrench it will help with the twisting. Wear gloves and use paper towel to clean the portion of the axle your grabbing on to. Finally, to reduce this problem in the future, lube the axles (according to your manual) before reinstalling.

:2cents:

I had the wheel supported. I tried twisting, but didn't get very far that way. I suppose I could have used vise grips, but I didn't want to mar the axle. I wound up using a piece of PVC pipe to gently tap it out. It didn't take much effort at all. I will grease it on the way back in so next time it'll be easier.:thumbup:

[TOM-CAT]

Glad you got it sorted. :clapping:

Good call on not using the vise grips. :thumbup:

Happy tracking. :rad:

[MTS620]

Glad you got it sorted. :clapping:

Good call on not using the vise grips. :thumbup:

Happy tracking. :rad:


The wheels are both back on and everything is lubed and torqued to spec. I'll be able to do it in a fraction of the time next time. The first time always seems to take twice as long. It's that way with pretty much everything except sex. :wow8:

Now on to making sure everything else is still connected and bolted on correctly.

[FJMam]

you said sex................teehee

[Xusia]

Apparently he does more than say it!