snapped chain = locked transmission??

SO I got to take the bike out finally on some longer rides today. Noticed my chain was a little loose .. and that my clutch handle was very tight. barely pull it and it engaged the clutched. I loosened up the handle and planned on getting a new chain tomorrow.

I took a night ride to enjoy the weather after dinner.. and left a stop sign... accelerated.. CLUNK!... engine went dead chain was dragging. Figured the chain just snapped since its broken at the top of the loop. however took 20 min to get it to finally get to neutral to get it started again but even with the clutch engaged click it into gear and motor stops instantly. I tried adjusting the clutch handle but still no dice. The chain will not move or come out so I'll have to pull the cover off wednesday when i get time .. possibly tuesday night. I figure the chain is bunched up around the sprocket and possibly wedged, but would that cause it to stop even with the clutch pulled?

Could the chain snap possibly have screwed up the transmission.. or even the clutch? Is there anything specific I need to looking at or for?

I have built a few cars.. and am mechanically inclined.. but i just haven't worked on many motorcycles. Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

it's a 1982 csr750 twin cyl.

Probably bent your release shaft or mechanisim and it really isn't releasing. Hope for nothing major to be damaged.

I'm glad you weren't hurt, consider it a learning experience. For future reference you should consider keeping up with the maintenance on your bike much more carefully. A chain should never snap - something was neglected big time. You mentioned that the chain snapped when pulling away from a stop sign. Imagine if it had snapped when shifting into 5th gear at about 90 mph - you could have been killed. Not trying to scare you, but you do need to be aware that unlike a car, in which a lack of maintenance can leave you stranded, that same lack of maintenance on a bike can really hurt you. Be careful,we don't want to lose anyone. Ed

Replace the sprockets when you replace the chain.

Thanks for the help guys. Plans had changed yesterday and was able to work on it and get most of the parts i need to fix it. got a new o-ring chain (%125) and then had to run somewhere else to pick up a new masterlink but got it and it put on for 20.. so not bad. the clutch push rod got hit by the chain and bent and snapped. luckily it was the end that snapped off so it wasn't damaged inside the transmisson. Tho Kawasaki does not make the rods anymore and you can't buy them. so i had a local machine shop and had one made. works great and is riding smooth.

definitely glad i'm ok. and that there wasn't more damage done to the bike. Thanks for the advice and info guys

New chain, should include New Sprockets.

Motor Head wrote: New chain, should include New Sprockets.

X1236 !! Your chain won't last any time without new sprockets. You should pay attention to riders that give good advice.

I don't want to be insulting, Just wondering, as you said you were not to familiar with bikes, do you know what to look for in a worn sprocket?

If your new masterlink is a circlip type go and get a rivet type link and get the rivet put on instead.

NZGlenn wrote: If your new masterlink is a circlip type go and get a rivet type link and get the rivet put on instead.

Not necessarily. The master link MUST match the chain. Don't just get any flavor master link as different chains have slight differences; get the master link made by and/or specified by the chain manufacturer. So if the maker of the chain provides & specifies a rivet type - yes, by all means use what they provide/specify. However, if they provide/specify the clip type you should follow their recommendation and use the clip type that they specify. If you do use the clip type ensure that the open end is trailing as the chain rotates around the sprocket. On my D.I.D. O-ring chain D.I.D. provided the clip type. It has been on there for well over 18,000 miles with zero problems. Ed

Well guys.. sorry for the delay in update.. but i got a new o-ring chain and the masterlink is riveted style.

When the chain snapped it bunched up on the front sprocket and bent the clutch push rod and snapped the tip off. Of course the rod is no longer available through my local parts store, so I had one machined. Little longer than the orginal but only a couple mm's so it's working just fine.

Thank you guys for information and concern. I'm also glad I wasn't hurt and it was a good learning experience.

He still ain't listening to ya'll.

I payed will over $150.00 for my chain and no way in HELL
I'd have put it on old sprocket's.

Then again if my chain break's at the drag strip
and lock's the wheel it ain't gonna skid the tire till
after it toss's me over the bar's.