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Chain Gaiters

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Thanks to Chris Harvey, as reported in the last edition of Roadholder, newly manufactured rubber chain gaiters are available for the first time for many years. Chris's email was incorrectly printed and should be: chris.harvey@ntlworld.com.

When fitting new gaiters Richard Negus always advised rivetting the chain rather than using spring links. Mine had a spring link on it and I must confess that I replaced it not having the tools to rivet the link. Of course now its back together I am not sure that I did the right thing!

Tim 

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Well done Chris, nice quality items. Hope you recover your investment and thanks for the prompt return of the the moulding die. I'll preserve it and stow it ready for you next batch.

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Mine had a spring link as well.

Perhaps the 'perfect fix' is to rivet them but I am sure you need a special tool to press the rivet ends over. Amateur hammering jobbie will probably end in it all falling off. Endless race bikes have split links and they all pass scrutineering!

Norm

Edit - just remembered that I lock wire wrapped my split link, and I know race bikes do this also, but cannot remember if it is a scrutineer requirement.

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... but always fit new ones rather than refit existing ones as they are the weak point in the chain.

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In a perfect world I would agree. But how many thousands (millions?) of rear chains have come off for a clean and regrease and gone back on with the old link? And the new link would have to come from the same manufacturer as a minor dimension change would render it less safe than the old one perhaps?

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.. for fitting new is that the pins may have slackened off over time as well as the "springiness" of the spring link deteriorating. These days I rarely remove a chain except to replace it anyway.

I agree it's essential to fit a spring link of the same make as the original as there can be quite a difference for the same nominal size.

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New Gaiters

Just received a pair of Gaiters from Chris Harvey from the batch he has had especially made.  They are of excellent quality and Chris should be thanked for taking the initiative and getting some made.

May I suggest the word is spread and owners purchase a pair while Chris still has some as you can't get them anywhere else.

Ian Loram

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Yes Norman, race regulations (at least in Scandinavia) stipulates lockwiring on spring links. In Norway a blob of silicone too.

 


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