Do you ride without chain guard

[MRSOUND]

I finally got my 83 200e back together. After a botched part deal fell through (2 month ordeal) I got parts I needed from other members on here to bring her back to life. Whole rear end was trashed when PO ran bearing out of carrier (egged bearing seats), gauded the axle, and mangled the chain guard when he kept running it till the chain finally broke. I replaced everything but the chain guard with "recycled" parts other than bearings & brakes which are new. I tried to reform the old chain guard as best I could and reuse it, but something is still rubbing (outer half is semi shredded around axle hole, thinking this is the culprit). Other than more exposure to the elements what are the drawbacks (safety? function?) of just taking the guard completely off? Any benefit to taking wheel-side cover off and leaving inner cover on? Anyone ride without them? If so, for what reason?
Any feedback is appreciated!

SORRY PLEASE MOVE TO TRIKESYLVANIA

[dirtdemon]

i dont run them. it just makes problems im my opinion the get bent up onto the sprocket.

[El Camexican]

I ride without it, or the brake guard. Looks cool, but you need an O-ring chain for it to last in the open.

Attachment 144826

[tulsamike3434]

No no no!!!!!!

[JasonB]

I thought this was for the chain cover near the motor. I ride without that, kinda scary because I had it grab the bottom of my jeans on my 83 300R and chew it up a little once hahahah

I dont see why it would be a big deal, the rest of the big bikes dont run a guard or anything. I mean look at the sport bikes (250r tecate triz) they all have the chain totally exposed. other than just watching for rocks so you dont smash the chain to death, running no gaurd should be fine.

[El Camexican]

I thought this was for the chain cover near the motor. I ride without that, kinda scary because I had it grab the bottom of my jeans on my 83 300R and chew it up a little once hahahah

I dont see why it would be a big deal, the rest of the big bikes dont run a guard or anything. I mean look at the sport bikes (250r tecate triz) they all have the chain totally exposed. other than just watching for rocks so you dont smash the chain to death, running no gaurd should be fine.

On the YTM's the cover also contained the front sproket. It was a nice maintenance free kind of a thing, but I found that mine filled up with a lot of crude that was taking out the cheap factory axle seals. Same for the rear brake. It would fill with mud, sand and water. I prefer it all open plus they have pretty stout metal guards on both sides.

[MRSOUND]

Thanks for the info guys! I appreciate it! Looked up an o-ring chain on e-bay and they run $44.99 on e-bay for mine. Where do you guys normally go to get yours? Is there specific brands you like? ones to stay away from?

[El Camexican]

I like D.I.D. O-ring chains. You might consider getting one with plated links to keep the rust off if you aren't into lubing it. Put it on with a good set of steel sprockets and they might out last your trike.

[yamaha driver]

i dont run one for the simple fact i cant with my 14 tooth sprocket.... i think its mostly to protect the rider. like loose shoe strings or baggy pants.

[Nubbinz]

Those guards dont like to go back on if they get just a little bent.. Id immagine if you throw some gear oil on your chain every couple rides its not gonna rust up

[El Camexican]

Those guards dont like to go back on if they get just a little bent.. Id immagine if you throw some gear oil on your chain every couple rides its not gonna rust up

True, but it gets oil all over the pretty.

[Amater45]

I lube my chains every ride, so i don't use one myself. More for the reason i don't have one

[MRSOUND]

I like D.I.D. O-ring chains. You might consider getting one with plated links to keep the rust off if you aren't into lubing it. Put it on with a good set of steel sprockets and they might out last your trike.

Are you talking about the "X" ring style?
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...d-X-Ring-Chain

[Jason125m]

If you use proper chain lube it doesn't

I always run a chain guard and case saver.
Chain guards aren't too important... I just run mine because it looks damn good! ( 350x ) Thanks to Tapper190
Case saver, well, i want my case to be saved!

[pantera1975]

BDT Motorsports put my motor together with a case saver and the stock guard triple chromed over it. I had a close call when I was 16 adjusting my clicker sock with no guard, it caught my glove luckily and not my finger!