Simple motorcycle mud chains

[KTMphil]

Interesting idea from the LC8 page because of its simplicity. Basically bolting a piece of motorcycle chain through the knobs on either side of the tire.


Here the idea was thought up for use in snow but probably would work well for wet season clay????

 

[Hyballs]

From my old days back in Australia nothing worked on the baby poo red mud in winter. My brother and I wrapped chain around conventional tyres but we could only ride slow on good surfaces and in mud, the mud stuck to everything, and the whole back end ended up a ball of red mud! Giant fail!

I don't see how those little chain's can help.

 

[KTMphil]

Tired and tested by Land Rovers in mud? looks like a great cheap way to get through mud?



From the Land Rover Forum:

From my old days back in Australia nothing worked on the baby poo red mud in winter. My brother and I wrapped chain around conventional tyres but we could only ride slow on good surfaces and in mud, the mud stuck to everything, and the whole back end ended up a ball of red mud! Giant fail!

I don't see how those little chain's can help.

 

[bikesncats]

Interesting idea from the LC8 page because of its simplicity. Basically bolting a piece of motorcycle chain through the knobs on either side of the tire.


Here the idea was thought up for use in snow but probably would work well for wet season clay????

That's a simple idea that won't really add much traction in real snowy and/or muddy conditions...

Proper motorcycle chains fitted to the bike should be going across (only) in the front (for better control) and have a diagonal criss-cross pattern in the back, ideal tie strategy is with a strong rubber ring near the inside of the rim and tied across...or so experience taught me. Works on black ice and slippery wet clay as well...just the dumbass laws and the few law enforcement in most Canadian provinces dumb enough to apply it will see you with a hefty fine if caught (luckily when conditions are that bad not many cops run around looking for people infringing into the no chains and studded tires law...)

Like this Suzuki is a perfect example how to (sorry I'm too lazy to go dig for my own pics):

(pic from web about last year's Elefantentreffen)

 

[alexuk]

someone better get out and test them on the slippy red mud here before it dries out
would make a helluva difference to riding season here IF it works

 

[Lightemup]

In the army we used snow chains to drive a lot of different vehicles off-road in really muddy hilly conditions in Bosnia and Kosovo. They do add a lot more traction. Even the Piranha III vehicles used them.

 

[Pounce]

I can see the benefit on road or dual sport tyres, but if they sit in between the knobs on a knobby, you're just reducing the effectiveness of the tyre aren't you?

(PS fuck off spell check tyre is spelt correctly)

 

[Lone Rider]

I can see the benefit on road or dual sport tyres, but if they sit in between the knobs on a knobby, you're just reducing the effectiveness of the tyre aren't you?

(PS fuck off spell check tyre is spelt correctly)

Yes, I had the same thought as basically you make things worse by having the chain in between the knobs and basically making it more like a road tyre instead of getting more grip

 

[Pounce]

Good thinking between us Auke.
Maybe ice would be something all together different as the chain may bite into it but in mud, nope.

 

[bikesncats]

Good thinking between us Auke.
Maybe ice would be something all together different as the chain may bite into it but in mud, nope.

Observation suggests that most of you never really did ride in the winter (meaning northern hemisphere in sub-zero temperatures and plenty of precipitation, wind and all that comes with it...).....no insult intended of course.

Properly fitted chains: in the front they go across and yes usually sit between the knobbies but are higher and add a significant amount of stability and directional control...in the rear the cris-cross diagonal pattern doesn't really allow the chain to fall between the knobbies and traction is significantly improved versus knobby tire only.

Tested and tried plenty from Switzerland to Norway and lots of Canadian and Alaskan "roads" including slippery clay. If a set is properly prepared it will take only 10 to 15 minutes to fit...makes the time well worth while compared to an unplanned ditching...

 

[Pounce]

Good info BnC but Auke & I were talking about the original picture posted with the recycled drive chain.
Proper snow chain I have used before but only on a car.

...and it got down to 0 degrees Celsius once this year this winter! There was even a bit f frost on the ground for 1/2 an hour.

 

[The Bigfella]

Then there's Laos-style... with a bit of wire rope wrapped around the wheel.

I stopped to see if this guy needed a hand... he was re-adjusting his "chain" on a bit of a muddy road somewhere east of Pakse. I can see Route 16 a on my GPS on another shot taken just after this photo



It turned out he was a nice guy, a law student heading home to see his family. Spoke perfect English.

I could have used a bit of extra traction myself on that "road"

 

[bikesncats]

Good info BnC but Auke & I were talking about the original picture posted with the recycled drive chain.
Proper snow chain I have used before but only on a car.

...and it got down to 0 degrees Celsius once this year this winter! There was even a bit f frost on the ground for 1/2 an hour.

Wow ... :jump


To be honest with you, I haven't seen snow (or sub zero temperatures) since I left Canada in 2007...ohh weight, I did see 2m high snow walls on the Gotthard in 2010,

but dry roads and 10C

Bigfella, in that kinda deep mud not even chains would help, only wide open threats and elbow grease...