When a motorcycle chain breaks, do you have to put it in neutral to walk it?

[Aztec Assailant]

If a motorcycle chain snapped, do you still have to put it in neutral to walk it to a shop to get it repaired? I saw a riceburner off road motorcycle that someone had left by the side of the road, because the chain had snapped. I guess they don't care as much about their bikes as Harley-Davidson owners, and this got me wondering why he didn't walk the bike into town.

I'm new to how motorcycles work, I'm just learning, and I don't have any riding experience, so I'm trying to learn from you guys.

[Just Nick]

No it should roll just like its in neutral as long as the chain/belt has not wedged inbetween the sprocket/case

[CraigArizona85248]

By the way... If you ever spot a chain out the back of your bike, don't run back down the road to pick it up UNLESS your wearing gloves.  Those suckers get really hot.

[Aztec Assailant]

No it should roll just like its in neutral as long as the chain/belt has not wedged inbetween the sprocket/case

Thank you!

[Aztec Assailant]

By the way... If you ever spot a chain out the back of your bike, don't run back down the road to pick it up UNLESS your wearing gloves.  Those suckers get really hot.

Thank you for your advice, I always plan  on wearing gloves when I ride

[76shuvlinoff]

By the way... If you ever spot a chain out the back of your bike, don't run back down the road to pick it up UNLESS your wearing gloves.  Those suckers get really hot.

No you do like I did and watch your buddy wheel around, blast back and grab up the greasy thing for you. He couldn't seem to separate himself from it fast enough.
When he got back to me I was laughing and asked,  "Was that hot because it kinda looked like it was hot?"
He said,  "No $%#*er, it's just real heavy."

[HroadhogD1]

   That some funny shiitt there.   

[ScottFree]

I guess they don't care as much about their bikes as Harley-Davidson owners

Not so much about how much the riders care about their bikes as it is about how much the thieves care about them. A disabled "riceburner off road motorcycle" probably isn't worth the effort to load it into the truck.

[hogpipes1]

Even a dirt bike can get real heavy after a 1/2 mi. of pushing.  chain is weak at the master link my exp. so always carried a spare way back when. chain was replaced when the rollers disapeared.. No such thing as a good used chain for sale , use them til you loose them.  all about not much spare $$$.

[Ultrashovel]

You can certainly walk your bike into town if the chain were to break but with a Japanese machine, you can simply leave it there since few of them are stolen. 

[PoorUB]

Just for the experience, good push your HD down the street. I bet you will give up after a block, or maybe two if you are young and healthy.

Us older guys with good insurance and bad health hope to heck someone will just steal it so we don't need to deal with it!

[ezdan]

For years I always had a masterlink holding a bell through a hole in the frame, and another on the zipper on my leather.
I still have the link on my jacket even though my current ride has a belt.

[Mark222]

For years I always had a masterlink holding a bell through a hole in the frame, and another on the zipper on my leather.
I still have the link on my jacket even though my current ride has a belt.

And people ask" "What that for"...............   

And I smile.............

Mark

[Ultrashovel]

Years ago, I was riding a 500cc Matchless motorcycle in an enduro in Illinois. About halfway through, I was riding on a dirt road at about 30 mph when the rear chain came off. The chain still had the link in it, but the side plate and the lock clip were missing. Having no spare, I spent the next hour walking up and down the road looking for the missing parts. The side plate was found after about 15 minutes. The lock clip took the full hour. I reassembled the chain and went on my way. It taught me to carry a spare master link.

None of the other bikes that came by had a spare either. LOL.

[Panzer]

Unless it's wrapped around the rear wheel.........bound tight. 

[kd]

Years ago, I was riding a 500cc Matchless motorcycle in an enduro in Illinois. About halfway through, I was riding on a dirt road at about 30 mph when the rear chain came off. The chain still had the link in it, but the side plate and the lock clip were missing. Having no spare, I spent the next hour walking up and down the road looking for the missing parts. The side plate was found after about 15 minutes. The lock clip took the full hour. I reassembled the chain and went on my way. It taught me to carry a spare master link.

None of the other bikes that came by had a spare either. LOL.

Now that there is a miracle.

I broke a primary chain stormin passed a cage on the prairies years ago.  The chain piled up in the primary and locked the rear wheel just as I was pulling away. I smoked off the shoulder and out into a field like it was planned for a movie. Never went down. Just put out the side stand and dismounted. That was a miracle too. 

[preacher son]

For years I always had a masterlink holding a bell through a hole in the frame, and another on the zipper on my leather.
I still have the link on my jacket even though my current ride has a belt.

Years back had a friend used one for a ear ring.........until it got ripped out in a fight. Interesting ear after that.

[76shuvlinoff]

 Having a spare master link saved me once but not having a the damn installation press in the bag sure made it a bitch. 

I pushed my 76 FLH a bit over 1/4 mile... once,  The road was nearly flat and I was almost 20 years younger than today. The hell with THAT!

Mark

[glens]

I saw this thread title at the top of the list and the first thing that came to mind was "The answer to that question is 'It depends on whether it's the primary or the final chain that broke.'"  Then came the notion "Neutral wouldn't be helping nothing if the final chain is all wrapped up between the wheel and swingarm." 

None of the other bikes that came by had a spare either. LOL.

Leastwise nor for you. 

[slo-poke 03]

When a motorcycle chain breaks, do you have to put it in neutral to walk it?

   The best answer is to sit down, call AAA RV+  and let them push it,....right up on to the truck and let them deal with it.  I guess I am older now, but some things are just not worth the trouble.