Britbike forum Forums Thread Like Summary - A65 Front Sprocket FUBAR

Hey all, I managed a solid screw up the other day.

1970 A65 Thunderbolt. All I wanted to do was put on a new chain.

Took the tip to connect new chain to old chain and pull it through. Gave that a shot but did not work as intended.

Right now the old chain is jammed somewhere in there and I can’t get a drift or pry bar to move the sprocket at all.

It seems like there’s a cover on the interior side by the swing arm but I’m not sure if that gets me anywhere.

I pulled the left side cover but realized you have to pull the whole clutch etc to get all the way in to the sprocket.

I’m wondering if there’s any tips from the gurus to getting better access to to sprocket to see what the jam looks like and if I can pry it out without pulling the clutch.

Are the front sprockets in these things that crazy to get to?

Thanks in advance!!

John

"Are the front sprockets in these things that crazy to get to?" - yes, they are British.
You could try pulling on the top and bottom run of the chain to free it up. Worst case you have to pull the clutch and take the door off to unpack the chain.

Sounds like you didn’t keep some restriction on the feeding side of the chain as well as pulling on the other end, chains seem to like to jump the teeth and put the next link a tooth early if some tension isn’t maintained.