Chain rollers that don't spin freely?

[tylermonster]

I recently bought a '04 with about 8500 miles - I cleaned the chain for the first time the other day and noticed that 2 of the rollers on the chain would not spin at all. None of the links are kinked and I plan to focus on the two rollers with some WD-40 or just a lot of kerosene with a brush to see if I can loosen them. Is this chain already in need of replacement? Or does this happen to a neglected chain?

 

[Cali rider]

I recently bought a '04 with about 8500 miles - I cleaned the chain for the first time the other day and noticed that 2 of the rollers on the chain would not spin at all. None of the links are kinked and I plan to focus on the two rollers with some WD-40 or just a lot of kerosene with a brush to see if I can loosen them. Is this chain already in need of replacement? Or does this happen to a neglected chain?

Probably just from lack of regular lube. Read this thread for a lot more useful information:
http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-...bike-shifts-better-when-chain-well-lubed.html

 

[RJ2112]

I'd try riding it for a while, and lubricating it frequently, before I gave any thought to replacement. Inspect for those non rolling elements and keep checking to see if they stay stuck..... I'd think not. Should loosen up with some use. 8500 miles is very, very low mileage for the OEM chain. Mine has nearly 25K miles on it, and is just now starting to develop some stiff links.

 

[Motogiro]

I recently bought a '04 with about 8500 miles - I cleaned the chain for the first time the other day and noticed that 2 of the rollers on the chain would not spin at all. None of the links are kinked and I plan to focus on the two rollers with some WD-40 or just a lot of kerosene with a brush to see if I can loosen them. Is this chain already in need of replacement? Or does this happen to a neglected chain?

Keep in mind that WD-40 may attack the O-rings on the chain if you are soaking it. Maybe an alternative lubricant that you know wont harm neoprene/rubber etc.

I use WD-40 on a rag to wipe my change and it work great but I don't get aggressive with it because there have been articles saying it might be harmful to the O-rings. Maybe kerosene?

 

[tylermonster]

Thanks for the tips - I will give it another round of kerosene and a soft brush. I wasn't sure if a chain could fail this early with neglect or not. The bike may not have been ridden much recently before I bought it - maybe it just needs a long road trip. I will update if I can get the rollers freed up.