► Chain failures: 43 so far and still counting

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elvie
  • Start date Start date
Hi all

Replaced my stock chain today - 2400 miles, Scottoiler fitted from day 1, never used off road (yet!). Was ok (or rather ok-ish, never really happy with it) till about 2000 miles and then it just went bonkers - noise and vibes were incredible. Use the bike often so couldn't be ar*ed fighting for a warranty job. Fitted what seems to be becoming the preferred option of a DID 525 X ring off an outlet on a certain auction site, cost 78 quid plus 8 quid odd delivery. The seller is FTCMC, good helpful bloke (Mick) by the way. I was shocked when I looked at the old chain - many parts of it were super stiff, was a bit like trying to bend a bar - lots of effort (and I mean a LOT!) then all of a sudden it gives. Parts are slack, parts are tight, the o rings are pressed flat, are hard, are cracked. Shocking, never seen anything like it in my 30 years on the road!:rob
Now - super smooth shifts, quiet turbine like progress, no vibes/harshness, neutral easy to find, no lurching forward when 1st selected, no slap, no snatching on deceleration....happy days!:D Wish I had done it months ago, didn't realise what a difference a decent chain could make!
Ride safe!
 
Hi everyone - forgive me I'm new to all this forum lark but have been reading with interests the posts on this thread.

My F8 chain snapped last night - with no warning, luckily it was midnight and there was no other traffic, so I coasted to the roadside and awaited a lift home.

It has been collected this morning and taken to my dealer.

When I spoke with the dealer they said "WE'LL TRY AND SORT IT OUT UNDER WARRANTY" Which I thought was nice of them, but nothing more than that


What is the score with warranty issues - Have BMW confirmed they will be recalling officially yet or not???
 
I've just bought a 2010 model.
Has anybody had a chain go on a 2010 F800 model??
Does it have a CZ chain alsoor did BMW sort it out for this years bike??
I cant check it just now as working offshore.
 
RiskIt4aBiskit said:
I've just bought a 2010 model.
Has anybody had a chain go on a 2010 F800 model??
Does it have a CZ chain alsoor did BMW sort it out for this years bike??
I cant check it just now as working offshore.
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There have been problems, but you can be reasonably sure it won't snap whilst you're away. Unless someone's riding it of course? The latest bikes have different chains, different sprockets, and different studs/nuts.
 
solidstate100 said:
Fitted what seems to be becoming the preferred option of a DID 525 X ring off an outlet on a certain auction site, cost 78 quid plus 8 quid odd delivery. The seller is FTCMC, good helpful bloke (Mick) by the way.
Click to expand...

Hey solidstate100,

Contacted Mick on Friday - thanks. Just wondering how many links you had for your chain? I counted 116 links on mine... was yours the same? Just trying to figure the right chain size!

Baggy
 
RiskIt4aBiskit said:
I've just bought a 2010 model.
Has anybody had a chain go on a 2010 F800 model??
Does it have a CZ chain alsoor did BMW sort it out for this years bike??
Click to expand...

The 2010 models have an uprated CZ chain that is more silvery in colour. I have only done about 700 miles on mine (vs 20,000 on the 08 model) and am not happy with the amount of chain slap.
 
Tim Cullis said:
The 2010 models have an uprated CZ chain that is more silvery in colour. I have only done about 700 miles on mine (vs 20,000 on the 08 model) and am not happy with the amount of chain slap.
Click to expand...

Tim

Despite what some vendors would have you believe, all chains initially get a bit 'longer' than they were when they came out of the packet as the high-spots on the pins are 'run-in'. But after a few hundred miles, they should settle and not need frequent adjustment.

Greg
 
got the bike back with a new chain - it's got much thicker side plates, but not as thick as the DID on my bike. haven't actually checked the make, wil try to remember tomorrow.
 
I have a F650GS that I bought in September 18 months ago. It's got 7500 on the clock with some riding through French mountains and plenty of non-motorway riding. I had the bike up at the dealers last week to collect some stuff for my husband so while it was there I asked the service team to have a look at the tyres (no change needed, no squaring, no derogation of tread) and the chain. I mentioned all the problems here. They checked my chain, no sign of wear and tear, no O rings missing, in fact in very good condition. They had no agenda to say so if it wasn't as I would have coughed up for a new chain without argument and they know that.

The service manager says they have only replaced 2 chains on bikes like mine. One had done about 15000 miles and hadn't been well looked after so was worn out, the other had lost an O ring but there was a good reason for it.

I don't do huge amounts of sudden acceleration or braking (as taught by my instructor who also teaches police officers and reinforced at Bike Safe and BMW road school); chain is lubricated and checked/adjusted once a week if the bike has been out at all; bike is always hosed and dried off when it's been out in salt, dust, mud etc. So it's well looked after thanks to my husband who looks after our bikes lovingly. :angel

Just thought I'd put the other side of the story :cool:
 
Can we all be clear that this issue is one of a bad batch of CZ manufactured chains on 800s and 650s, not one of maintenance or riding style. My well lubed chain broke after 500 miles from new! Even a badly maintained unlubed chain will do better than that. It is great that people ride carefully and maintain their chains but it will make no difference if you have one of the bad batch
 
lunchbox said:
Can we all be clear that this issue is one of a bad batch of CZ manufactured chains on 800s and 650s,
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I have an 800gs bought in May 2009. Is there a way of checking if you have one of the bad chains? I have not needed to adjust mine in nearly 4000 mainly road miles. Having fallen off once with a 50 mph high side I would rather not so the same again:blast
 
Called the dealer today to find out what's happening with my bike/chain.....

The advised me that the chain is being replaced under warranty, but waiting for the part to be delivered from BMW.

However BMW want the old chain to check to see if there is any misuse!!!!

When I asked what they meant by that - they added over tightening, not oiled or acid errosion!!!! Questioned the last one and they said battery leaking onto the chain!!!!!

Luckily for me I managed to recover the chain but not before it had been run over by half a dozen HGV's and flung more than 10metres from where it snapped.

The chain is snapped mid-link - but i've left it outside since getting recovered home - now worrying that they'll find something wrong.

They didn't say what they would be replacing it with.


Just want to add thanks to everyone who has posted on here as it has given me ammo to throw back at the dealer should I need it
 
Picked the bike up Saturday (typically missing the nice weather!)

Even as of Friday the dealer wasn't sure if it would be covered under the warranty.

I picked it up and got given some excellent advice and then treated like some little school kid......

The advice - apparently the chain needs lubricating and the tension checked every 300-400 miles!!!

Then the Naughty school kid bit - IF IT BREAKS AGAIN WE AIN'T FIXING IT UNDER WARRANTY!!!!

on the phone they asked for the old chain - but after the advice decided not to give it to them unless they asked - they didn't, so it's still with me!

The chain looks very similar other than it is silver instead of the black original - I think someone mentioned something similar a few weeks ago.

So i'm now back on the road - so thanks again for the info that has been placed on her or i might have got my wallet out!
 
Yet another!

Was in Bath Road BMW (Bristol) on Sat 30th April getting a Scottoiler fitted.

Got chatting to this guy and he said he was in for a new chain as the old one had snapped, after getting very noisy.

He said he had been rescued by BMW Assist (or whatever it's called) and the recovery guy told him he's collected about 70 with the same problem!!!!!!!

The BMW guy behind the counter agreed there was a problem.

Am going to take my nearly new, 2200 mile 650GS to Spain this summer. Should I change the chain??????

:confused::nenau
 
Ferret55 said:
.....Am going to take my nearly new, 2200 mile 650GS to Spain this summer. Should I change the chain??????
Click to expand...
You may be lucky with your chain or you may not! Fact is, you are probably going to worry about it as you've asked the question, hence it may well nag you on your trip to Spain even if it performs 100%, but the nag is enough to take the edge of a great trip so IMHO, yes, change the chain to a good quality one. With only 2.5k miles on your bike, your sprockets are probably fine so you're only looking at buying the chain hence not a major expense. Others on here keep talking about DID chains. Sounds like a sensible bet. :thumb2
 
4263 said:
Then the Naughty school kid bit - IF IT BREAKS AGAIN WE AIN'T FIXING IT UNDER WARRANTY!!!!
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Incredibly stupid and inept comment from the dealer given the history of failures. If it happens again and the dealer takes that attitude simply take action against them in the county court under breach of contract.

Given your address of Bristol are we able to guess the identity of these idiots?

Tim
 
Yet another

Hi, travelling home today on the A1(M) just south of Peterborough, nr the Yaxley exit, on SWMBO`s 800gs, the chain came off when we were doing about 80mph in the middle lane. Fortunately motorway wasnt to busy so was able to reach hardshoulder without any problem. No apparent damage except for broken chaiguard, hopefully thats all !. Couldnt find chain and didnt have to wait to long for BMW assist. Bike has done 10450 miles ( bought in May 08), and has a scotoiler fitted and is checked regularly. I wonder if the chain will be replaced under warranty ?, probable not.:nenau
 
Wirycow said:
Hi, travelling home today on the A1(M) just south of Peterborough, nr the Yaxley exit, on SWMBO`s 800gs, the chain came off when we were doing about 80mph in the middle lane. Fortunately motorway wasnt to busy so was able to reach hardshoulder without any problem. No apparent damage except for broken chaiguard, hopefully thats all !. Couldnt find chain and didnt have to wait to long for BMW assist. Bike has done 10450 miles ( bought in May 08), and has a scotoiler fitted and is checked regularly. I wonder if the chain will be replaced under warranty ?, probable not.:nenau
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Well I guess it didn't merely 'come off' ... it broke :eek:

Glad you're OK :thumb
:beerjug:
 
Wirycow said:
Hi, travelling home today on the A1(M) just south of Peterborough, nr the Yaxley exit, on SWMBO`s 800gs, the chain came off when we were doing about 80mph in the middle lane. Fortunately motorway wasnt to busy so was able to reach hardshoulder without any problem. No apparent damage except for broken chaiguard, hopefully thats all !. Couldnt find chain and didnt have to wait to long for BMW assist. Bike has done 10450 miles ( bought in May 08), and has a scotoiler fitted and is checked regularly. I wonder if the chain will be replaced under warranty ?, probable not.:nenau
Click to expand...

I think these threads need age of bike/chain. Whilst the rest of us worry if we're next? My bike is 08, and has only done 7500 miles. Is my chain going in 3000m or 300m?
 
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