I know ultimately the responsibility is mine (check your bike before you ride),
but this is what I discovered:
Last spring, I let Action Motor Sports in Idaho Falls (there is only one), put on a new chain, sprockets, and cush rubbers. The chain seemed tensioned right, and the bike didn't exhibit anything unusual from then till now.
I decided the chain needed a little slack removed and so I went to loosen the castle nut. I looked for a long time at it, and I couldn't find a cotter pin. I did find 4 holes for one, but none of them were deep enough to put a pin through.
I became very suspicious and got a 1-17/16" wrench and started to tighten.
The nut was almost finger tighten loose! It must have taken 6 or more revolutions before I got it really tight. At that point I could see that a pin would fit. I cut a piece of coat hanger and put it through and bent both ends over until I can get a 36 mm socket to torque it.
The nut would have walked right off if I hadn't caught it in time. I'll write the Better Business Bureau of course, but it seems that you can't trust anybody. Especially the hill billies around here.
It had been riding alright, but are there places I should check for damage?
but this is what I discovered:
Last spring, I let Action Motor Sports in Idaho Falls (there is only one), put on a new chain, sprockets, and cush rubbers. The chain seemed tensioned right, and the bike didn't exhibit anything unusual from then till now.
I decided the chain needed a little slack removed and so I went to loosen the castle nut. I looked for a long time at it, and I couldn't find a cotter pin. I did find 4 holes for one, but none of them were deep enough to put a pin through.
I became very suspicious and got a 1-17/16" wrench and started to tighten.
The nut was almost finger tighten loose! It must have taken 6 or more revolutions before I got it really tight. At that point I could see that a pin would fit. I cut a piece of coat hanger and put it through and bent both ends over until I can get a 36 mm socket to torque it.
The nut would have walked right off if I hadn't caught it in time. I'll write the Better Business Bureau of course, but it seems that you can't trust anybody. Especially the hill billies around here.
It had been riding alright, but are there places I should check for damage?