Given the choice I would have fitted the best... alas, on the side of a French motorway I found myself with few options.

I will be able to buy a new rivet link then? I'm sure that would be much cheaper than a new chain for now... at least until I can afford a new chain and sprocket (only the chain was replaced � ideally I would have swapped them all out together. I imagine that a new chain on old sprockets is not ideal). What does the rivet link look like or is it obvious (i.e. the odd one out)?

What are the basic do's and don't's? ... I wouldn't want to do anything stoopid... again... :dontknow:

I just had a chat with my mechanical buddy and he told me that there is a lot of cheap sh|t on the market and best not go near 'em especially if your gonna put it on an XT as they are likely to stretch the chain more so than a 4 cylinder machine due to the nature of a great big thumping single.

You definately get what you pay for when it comes to chains. Best bet is to buy a kit with chain and sprockets together. Spend more and it'll save you money in the end.

I quite agree. Normally, anything for my beloved (consumables etc.) I go for the best. This chain cost me 70 Euro's and has since failed to instill any confidence in it's production. Thing is, the trip left a rather substantial dent in my wallet and the wife's having kittens over it. If I've any hope of ever going out for fun on the XT again I've gotta work to budget... at least for a while if you know what I mean :bricks:

Sounds like your replacement chain was too long & should have been shortened before it was fitted.As KEV said when you are fitting a new chain,push the back wheel as far forward as it will go,wrap the chain around the sprockets,bring the ends together & see how much overlap you have(this is how many links you have to remove).To remove the exsisting chain use a chain breaker/riveter, not an anglegrinder as the sparks can burn things &/or you could slip & do some real damage.My advice would be,get an old chain & have some practice.Once you've done it a couple of times you'll find it quite easy...:happy8:

or you could cut the chain off with an angle grinder and find that the new one you have been sent is not correct, and you are 50 miles from home at your mates workshop.......

:smilies0979:

Our metalwork teacher showed us the technique and made us all drill out a bicycle chain (we all had bicycles in those days) in metalwork class. By now there must be thousands of lucky men from my school alone. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_5_6.gif

It does sound like that and it certainly looks like that hanging there like a hookers knicker elastic!

Some good news though, it is the type of chain that has the whole split pin rivetty thing. A mechanically minded mate of mine has had a look at it yesterday and is going to lend me the neccersary tools for me to c0ck it up... from that point it will be and RAC job to my local garage but I do like to try these things � it's the only way to learn. You never know, I may actually understand his instructions, remove a link or two AND put the chain back together without incident!

I am still intenting to change my chain AND sprockets for a decent set, I just need this cr@ppy chain to see me out the next month. Wish me luck.

Steve I've noticed yesterday when I saw your bike in Golden Sq. that the lenght of your 2 adjusters rods at the back of your swingarm are really stretched out to the max which suggest you are running a longer chain than it should be.

Not that my opinion is worth much but I wouldnt risk it. I wouldnt ride it if there was any dout in my mind about the chain not being correct. Borrow the money and get a new one mate, just in case it snaps or something.
:ytiller: