[CR]Chain stretch, loose links or just dry

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "Patrick Lay" <p8705@hotmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:20:52 -0600
Subject: [CR]Chain stretch, loose links or just dry

Hi all..I was just tortured for a while on a fresh build with used parts ( Super Record double/ sedisport silver chain/ BX standard 6 freewheel). The chain would not run straight up onto the lower derailleur pulley. Instead it was catching and jumping along the outside of the pulley wheel in the lower gears as if the crankset was way too far out. I also noticed that the front shift onto the large ring liked to catch on the way up. The chainline was perfect.The chain length was good. The chain measured as new with my trusty Park guage. I had cleaned the chain with Safety Kleen solvent, but was going to lube it when I had it mounted. The chain felt free and a bit loose and flexible. I finally gave up and tried a new PC48. Voila! Perfect and smooth running and quiet shifting. That pretty silver chain is now in the trashcan. I wonder if somehow lubrication would have helped or if that "lowmiles" chain lied to my guage. Perhaps I should simply toss the chain as a sacrifice to insure that the rest of the build goes well since I also had to punch- prick up the fork crown and locktite the bottom headset race to press it securely. Ah! European quality!...Pat Lay in Chicago