Chains usually come with excess links so you can fit it to the bike of your choice. A chain link tool is your friend. When locking or opening the modern split links, I use a pair of slip-link pliers diagonally across the link. Across the wide sides to close it, the other way to open. This video assumes that your bike is fully clean. The jockey wheels on the tensioner will likely need to be dismantled for cleaning and re-lubrication. Much advised. On an early Brompton, use a medium -sized flat screwdriver. Later bikes need an allen key. The tensioner arm jockey-wheel screw is a little fiddly to get at, as you need to access through the wheel spokes. I take my whole adjuster mechanism off for a full strip (15mm spanner needed for the axle outer nut, and you will have to disconnect the gear-shift cable first). Brompton provides washers in this mechanism to facilitate alignment of the jockey wheels with the rear wheel sprocket. Make sure you put them back in the right places. On rear sprocket wear - the 1/8" sprocket on a Sturmey Archer hub is reversible, without affecting the chain line. If it's a bit worn, you can turn it around, and it is functionally a new one. No-one but you will know. I just did that on my 1991 T5 when fitting a new chain, yesterday.
Thanks for making. I would add that the new replacement chain comes with a new quick link so use this, but keep the old one as a spare to add to all your others you have but carry a couple of spares in your tool kit just in case your bike suffers a broken chain and you lose the current ones or one of them. It has never happened to my bikes or Brompton, but there is time yet! Also nitrile or disposable gloves are very practical to keep your hands clean. Unfortunately a box of 100 is now an extortionate price where before Covid the cost for a box was about £7.99. When I change my bike chains I give them extra lube before I put them on. I find chainsaw oil works best. Cheap and effective and doesn't wash off at the first sight of a water droplet. It's about £6 for one litre which will last forever. Have used many different dedicated bike lubes with varying degrees of success, but they all seem to be extortionately expensive for the small amount you get and they don't stay on a chain very long at all. Definitely after a light shower they have pretty much washed off and are typically all over the rear of the frame, rear wheel and anything else the chain can spray with grime as it spins in the rain. Imho belt drives are best, but this is a different story. I also take the front chain ring off and give it a thorough clean, also the rear sprockets and chain tensioner. Gives me a chance to properly inspect them as well to see if they are ok or need replacing. All good to go. Loving your channel. Is your bike a Ti Brompton? Looks like it might be.
Thanks for your comment, pleased you’re enjoying the channel. I really appreciate your input here and I’ll certainly take into consideration your info on the chainsaw lube.
Chains usually come with excess links so you can fit it to the bike of your choice. A chain link tool is your friend. When locking or opening the modern split links, I use a pair of slip-link pliers diagonally across the link. Across the wide sides to close it, the other way to open.
This video assumes that your bike is fully clean. The jockey wheels on the tensioner will likely need to be dismantled for cleaning and re-lubrication. Much advised. On an early Brompton, use a medium -sized flat screwdriver. Later bikes need an allen key. The tensioner arm jockey-wheel screw is a little fiddly to get at, as you need to access through the wheel spokes. I take my whole adjuster mechanism off for a full strip (15mm spanner needed for the axle outer nut, and you will have to disconnect the gear-shift cable first). Brompton provides washers in this mechanism to facilitate alignment of the jockey wheels with the rear wheel sprocket. Make sure you put them back in the right places.
On rear sprocket wear - the 1/8" sprocket on a Sturmey Archer hub is reversible, without affecting the chain line. If it's a bit worn, you can turn it around, and it is functionally a new one. No-one but you will know. I just did that on my 1991 T5 when fitting a new chain, yesterday.
Thanks for the thorough description there. I was just making a simple video on changing the chain but thanks for adding this
Nice one, thank you for the clear video on wear check & chain change plus the useful close ups, much appreciated… ✅ 🚲👍🏻
Thanks pleased you found it useful
Thanks for making. I would add that the new replacement chain comes with a new quick link so use this, but keep the old one as a spare to add to all your others you have but carry a couple of spares in your tool kit just in case your bike suffers a broken chain and you lose the current ones or one of them. It has never happened to my bikes or Brompton, but there is time yet! Also nitrile or disposable gloves are very practical to keep your hands clean. Unfortunately a box of 100 is now an extortionate price where before Covid the cost for a box was about £7.99.
When I change my bike chains I give them extra lube before I put them on. I find chainsaw oil works best. Cheap and effective and doesn't wash off at the first sight of a water droplet. It's about £6 for one litre which will last forever. Have used many different dedicated bike lubes with varying degrees of success, but they all seem to be extortionately expensive for the small amount you get and they don't stay on a chain very long at all. Definitely after a light shower they have pretty much washed off and are typically all over the rear of the frame, rear wheel and anything else the chain can spray with grime as it spins in the rain. Imho belt drives are best, but this is a different story.
I also take the front chain ring off and give it a thorough clean, also the rear sprockets and chain tensioner. Gives me a chance to properly inspect them as well to see if they are ok or need replacing.
All good to go.
Loving your channel.
Is your bike a Ti Brompton? Looks like it might be.
Thanks for your comment, pleased you’re enjoying the channel. I really appreciate your input here and I’ll certainly take into consideration your info on the chainsaw lube.
I needed this video 🙏
Helpful video. Can advise on what bike repair stand you recommend for a Brompton?
Thanks, the one I use is just a budget stand from Amazon it works very well.
🙏🏻🙏🏻👏🏻
two oily and dirty chains on the public bench, that might be a bummer for some folks
My bench, I wouldn’t be so inconsiderate
@@terrysallbikes Sorry, should have asked first, i am actually a fan of your videos :)