Bicycle Mechanics - Chain problem

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AZORCH
10-20-10, 06:52 PM
OK, this is a new one for me. I've broken dozens of chains and reassembled them without a problem when I strip a bike for a rebuild. Tonight I broke my trusty Park chain tool trying to pop a pin on an early 1970's chain on an Italian bike (a Bottecchia Special, in case that makes a difference.) I tried several links, not a pin on one of them wanted to budge. So I muscled down... and one of the prongs on the Park tool just snapped right off! The pin, however, was still in place. So my question is this: Is there something special about old Italian chains that I'm simply not seeing here? I hate to go out and buy a new chain tool and bust that one too. What am I missing here???

reptilezs
10-20-10, 07:04 PM
did you put the chain in the proper position on the chain tool?
AZORCH
10-21-10, 05:53 AM
did you put the chain in the proper position on the chain tool?

Yes - so all the more curious. My real issue is the chain... does anyone know if there is something about a vintage Italian chain that would result in extreme difficulty popping the pin? As I originally indicated, breaking a chain is nothing new to me. I usually like to save the vintage chain whenever possible so I don't want to literally "break" it to get it off, but I'm at a loss as to how to remove the pin if my Park tool couldn't even budge it. Suggestions, anyone?

bijan
10-21-10, 06:16 AM
Did the chain tool's pin line up with the center of the chain's pin. If not you might have been pressing into the side of the chain's plates.
AZORCH
10-21-10, 07:01 AM
Did the chain tool's pin line up with the center of the chain's pin. If not you might have been pressing into the side of the chain's plates.

Yes - and when the pin didn't budge, I tried to align with three or four other pins. No luck with them either. It's starting to p*** me off too!
JohnDThompson
10-21-10, 09:23 AM
No, there's nothing special about Italian chains. Which Park chain tool do you have?

I use the Gian Robert chain pliers here:
http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/gianrobert.jpg
peripatetic
10-21-10, 12:47 PM
Maybe the link has corroded together with the rivet and bushing? Try some Kroil or PBlaster or even WD-40, let it sit overnight and try again? I guess you'd notice if that were the case if the link were stiff or stuck, though...
fietsbob
10-21-10, 01:22 PM
You are putting an old worn 30 year old chain on? :wtf:
bijan
10-21-10, 01:32 PM
You are putting an old worn 30 year old chain on? :wtf:

I hope he's trying to remove it :)
AZORCH
10-21-10, 02:49 PM
You are putting an old worn 30 year old chain on? :wtf:

Not that I feel like I have to explain myself, but no, I'm trying to remove it without destroying it. I don't care to destroy any parts on a vintage bike, even if they get replaced on the final build. Thank you for the "non answer" - but I was really just trying to find out if there is something about this particular chain that differs from every other chain I've worked on. It seems a legitimate restoration question.
fietsbob
10-21-10, 03:50 PM
older chains have bushings under the roller, inside link..
I think Ive been using the same Cyclo,UK chain tool for 30 years

If one link won't come out EZ , try a different one .. got lots..
bijan
10-21-10, 09:52 PM
older chains have bushings under the roller, inside link..
I think Ive been using the same Cyclo,UK chain tool for 30 years

If one link won't come out EZ , try a different one .. got lots..

Original post says he tried several...
peripatetic
10-21-10, 11:49 PM
You think you could post a pic of the chain, perhaps with some closeups? I'm curious now...