TOPIC:

I've got a major project bike that has sat in a yard for years. I'm slowly chinking away on it.

Chain looks good but what should I do with it? Regrease? Degrease while on bike and regrease? Take it off?

I want the path of least resistance that isn't stupid.

If the sprockets are good then taking off the chain and soaking it on gear oil might make it usable again. If in doubt replace it.
Steve

This is what can happen to you by using a chain that has sat for years.





And I soaked it in kerosene for a year prior to reusing it .
The price for a new chain and sprockets I think was around 125.00?
Having to replace that bearing might be less money but a whole hell of a lot harder to change

I can't tell you how many chains and sprockets I've worn down to the nubs. I've taken out links so the chain would work. Never have I done damage like that. Didn't you notice anything? I've seen bearings like that. Sat for years, rust set in, came apart. How many miles on it? Did it sit?Where?
I agree, If the chain is noisy and the sprockets are sharp looking, replace as a set.
DAMN, I find it hard to believe a chain did that. It had to have had frozen links or something and no one noticed?
Steve

Yea, I don't think a chain can damage bearings. If it's lubed and still not seized up, and the sprockets have teeth, do the usual checks and ride on. Bearing possibly can be damaged by running an excessively tight chain I suppose, but that can happen with any chain regardless of condition if the owner has no clue in correct chain slack.

In my case, reusing the old chain which sat for many years chewed up my brand new rear sprocket within 200 miles. After that I just decided to purchase a 530 chain along with the required replacement of the front and rear sprocket. No issues in the last 4000 miles since.

Thanx for the help, guys. If i bought a new one is there a place that has the best deal?

And if I replace the chain, do I have to remove the clutch assembly for the clutch cable? I hope not. It was a pain to get it seated properly.

Depending on how your sprockets look, you can undo the master link and pull the new one through. If the sprockets are shot or even worn, they will wipe out your new chain. You can shop at Chaparral Motorsports on line. Check Z1E and I'm sure others here will have suggestions. I got a good price for mine at CM and it's a 630.
Steve

Z1 always had the best price on high quality X ring chain and their price on sprockets was good too.