People that regularly go biking will almost certainly encounter a problem with the chain on their bike. It is basically a rite of passage for cyclists that they will experience chain problems at some stage. Not every cyclist will have chain tools with them when they need to change the chain so how to change a bike chain without a chain tool?
A bike chain is made up of dozens of interconnected links. Firstly you need to find the master link and open it to remove the chain from the bike. If you want to remove a specific chain link you need to pop out the pins that link the chain with the other links. When finished you need to attach the chain links together and when the chain is on the bike you reconned the master link.
In this post, we will go through how to change a bike chain without a chain tool. Let’s get started!
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Tools and Materials Required
There are a couple of tools and materials needed to change a bike chain without a chain tool. These are as follows.
- Bike repair stand.
- Hammer.
- Pliers.
- Pin or center punch. If do not have you can use something similar like a screwdriver.
How To Change A Bike Chain Without A Chain Tool?
When it comes to working on a bike having the right tools to do the job is preferred and makes life easier. However, this is not always going to be the case, and there may be a situation where you have to be able to remove a bike chain without the proper tools.
Fortunately, there are ways to do it without these special tools, however, it will definitely be more tricky. Let’s get started trying to change a chain without a chain tool.
Removing A Chain Link Without A Special Tool
Anyone that has ever changed the chain on their own bike will tell you that it is not easy. It is especially true if you are trying to do it without the proper tools. The good thing is that it still can be done and it only requires a little know-how and a hammer and center punch or pin.
A bike chain is made up of dozens of interconnected links and the number of links depends on the bike. The two ends are connected using a special link called the master link. To remove the bike chain you must first open this master link.
Opening Master Link And Remove Chain Link
In order to remove the bike chain do any repairs or even replace it. You must first identify where the master link is. It is normally really easy to find depending on the bike manufacturer and chain maker as they can vary.
The master link has two parts which are the coupling pin and the locking plate. The coupling pin feature two posts attached to a plate and the locking plate has two holes punched at either end. The holes line up perfectly with the posts on the coupling pin.
There is a simple process to follow in order to open the master link. This is as follows.
- First, you need to find the master link of your chain, and it is normally a flat piece of metal.
- The master link can be opened by inserting the pliers between both ends of the master link. Then open the pliers so the link pin comes towards and comes out of their plate. This will open the chain.
- With the chain open it can be removed from the bike.
- A chain link is made up of a pin, roller, and inner and outer plate.
- Using a center punch and hammer you need to pop the two pins of the chain link out of the holder. A chain breaker is commonly used for this to remove the pin.
- Slide the coupling pin out and remove the chain link.
Putting The Chain Back On The Bike
Once you have completed your needed repairs and you are wanting to put the chain back on the bike. Now you need to put the chain back on, you need to be sure that the back wheel loosened.
This allows the ends of the chain to be brought together easier. Once the chain is connected you can adjust the tension appropriately.
There is a straightforward process to follow to put the chain back on. This is as follows.
- Once you are ready to put the chain back on you need to reattach any chains links.
- You need to put the two pins of the link down back in, along with the coupling pin.
- Now, lay the chain loosely in place around the back sprocket on the back wheel.
- Run the other end of the chain around the larger sprocket on the crank.
- Ensure the back wheel is loose enough so that you can bring the end of the chain together.
- Now, to connect the chain. Using the pliers to connect the master link, close the pliers so the master’s link pins become linked. This will close the chain.
Wrapping Up
Finally, starting off you need to find the master link and open it to remove the chain from the bike. If you want to remove a specific chain link you need to pop out the pins that link the chain with the other links. When finished you need to attach the chain links together and when the chain is on the bike you reconned the master link.
And that’s it for now! I’d love it if this post on how to change a bike chain without a chain tool was helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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