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Posted by: JayBR
I just replaced mine for the first time last week. The best way I could figure was to remove the chain and the chain roller, and I had no problem replacing it.
BTW: I got 2 of them from R&S, they had them in stock.
Posted by: JayBR
<< That was no 20-30 min job. It took me 15 min. just to get the master link off. After breaking the retainer clip to the master link, 4.95 for a new one at Cycle West. 30 min to get the clip backon. Are my mechanicials skills that bad?
Smitty >>
lol, I'll refrain from answering your question, but I was able to remove and reinstall the chain with a flat screwdriver and a pair of channel locks and I'm a computer geek not a mechanic.
Posted by: Ryanstones
Hya Smitty! Replacing the slide is easy after you remove the chain. I've done it 3 times now. Break the chain at the master link, remove the 3 screws and just work at it til you can pull the slide out over the top.
I think i had to put the new, harder slide in through the bottom. Now get a chain press to put the master link back on! It can be done a couple ways without one, big vice grips can work, but...get a chain press.
Did you hear a pressure release and smell ammonia when you broke the screws? My cannibal about gassed me out the first time. Not sure why. Good luck, I did 20+ hours with the new slide last week with almost no wear. YEAH!
Posted by: Ryanstones
OMG! cannondale is screwin me! bwahahahahaha. I had to pay for alll my slides. bwahhahahaha. BR>
As I said before, the new slide cures the problem.
Your chain already has a master link and the project takes 20-30 minutes tops.
12-15-17$ BFD on a 7-8K machine.
I really don't think we need to be buggin Mark at cannondale over every little problem. We oughta save him for the BIG troubles.
sorry if i'm grumpy BR>
Posted by: Ryanstones
Brian, I guess I'm concerned about overloading Mark with dealer issues and having him become unavailable for other problems that may arise. I do understand your concern and meant no offense to you personally. My first two slides wore into the swingarm and that is disturbing.
Posted by: Ryanstones
yodaddy, I've been kinda irritable today. I guess I knew when I bought a cannondale that I was asking to be a test dummie for them and I'm actually surprised it has turned out as well as it has so far. I bet the new slide will last you all season.
Posted by: GAR
smitty911, Rotate the chain until the masterlink is on the rear sprocket at the top. Keep it a couple of teeth back from leaving the sprocket. Take a flat screwdriver with a good flat edge and set the flat edge against the split end of the clip. The shaft of the screwdriver would be inline with the chain. Give it a tap and the clip will pop forward off of the rear pin. There is wider spot in the clip if you move it a little farther forward, it should come off the forward pin easily by hand. Never pry a clip off. Be sure when you put the clip back on that the split end is facing to the rear when the masterlink is on the top of the sprocket. Do the reverse to install the clip.
Posted by: special
Well guys I went through about 5 chin slides on my fx,they were all covered by Cannondale.
I have the new on on my speed and have been to the track 5 times.
It is just about worn through.Im going to my dealer tomorow to see about a new one.
I got 2 days at the track on the old one,and 5 out the new one.
Posted by: special
Well it looks like I jumped the gun saying my chain slide was going bad already.I took the chain loose this morning to get a real good look at it and there was a little wear but still a good bit left.
When I looked at it last it was at night with the chain on,so I realy could not see it that good.Sorry if I worried anyone for nothing.
Posted by: YoDaddy
I wore my chain slide down in less than 10 hours!!! and yet my dealership refuses to give me a new one. They say it is a wear item and that warranty won't cover it, and I said that it has to cover it because of premature wear which means the item isn't working right. If you disagree, please tell me why. Anyways, the guy said he would call C-dale and then call me back. When he did call me back, he said that they wouldn't cover it for the same reason (wear item) and that they said they know there was a problem w/ the chain slides and they were working on new ones... So if they KNOW there is a problem w/ them, shouldn't warranty cover it????
I feel like a little cry baby (corndog) saying this, but if someone from C-dale reads this, could please help me out, or atleast give me an explaination? I'm beginning to wonder if Action Power Sports (my "local" dealership) even called Cannondale !!!!!
Posted by: YoDaddy
Ryan, I'm not trying to be like corndog and say, "Cannondale, give me a replacement for free." but rather I atleast want a good explaination of why warranty shouldn't cover something that wore down prematurely (especially after 10 HOURS OF USE!!). I realise that it isn't the biggest deal in the world but like Brian said, I don't want to buy a new chain slide, have them tell me it will last a long time, and then I end up getting one that will only last me 2 or 3 races.
Like I said, I don't want to sound like I"m whining... I just atleast want an explaination.
Posted by: YoDaddy
Thanks Ryan.
Brian, I'm using a strip of bailing belt that I cut to the same size/shape of the stock chain slide and even though it doesn't last long at all, it keeps the chain off of the swing arm. I wouldn't recommend the belt as a permenant solution since you will have to switch it out after ever 1 1/2 to 2 hours of riding but it's better than letting the chain rub up on the swing arm.
I guess this kind of falls under the redneck uses catagory:... First Aid kit (cuts) = a peace of cloth and duct tape... First Aid kit (broken arm/leg) = a straight stick and duct tape... instead of buying #'s, use electrical tape... instead of buying # plates and #'s, just spray paint them on there... using zip ties to clamp the boot to the carb.... gear shifter = vise grips...
Don't worry guys, the only one of those I did was using a peace of cloth and duct tape as a band-aid, and electrical tape #'s.
But anyways, Ryan, I'll prolly just order a new chain slide from R&S. But I would still like an explaination... thats all I need to sleep well tonight
Posted by: briansgi
I haven't swapped mine out yet, (still waiting on my dealer to receive some) but I would think you would just have to adjust your chain to where it's got alot of slack in it which should give you enough room then to work around it.
Posted by: briansgi
Well I just went on Cannondale's web site but their motorsport section is hosed right now. I thought maybe they might have better instructions on their web site than the owners manual which is worthless for the chain slide replacement. Maybe someone who has done this before will chime in and help you out shortly. The only thing I can see is they expect you to bend the chain slide an awful lot to work it under the drive sprocket.
Posted by: briansgi
Well it wouldn't be too bad if the new chain slide that Cannondale now has out will in fact solve this problem. I would not mind paying the $12.00 (I remember someone a while back said that is what it cost them for a new one) if I knew I would not have to replace it again for a long time. But, if the new slides wear out not much longer than what we currently have, that's going to suck paying $12 each time and the hassle of cutting your chain and putting in master links. I can't even get one from my dealer, I suggest everyone call Mark Schlosnagle(spelling ?) at 814-624-5679. I've called Mark several times and he's suppose to be sending me one but I've called more than once and I've yet to receive one. I hate to keep bugging him but I'm riding with a chain slide that's wore out and I have no spare!
Anyone who has replaced their slide with a new one, how are they lasting?
Posted by: briansgi
My reason to call Mark at Cannondale was to try and get the new chain slide because my dealer is worthless. I've asked them several times and they keep saying they still haven't received any. If I thought talking to a receptionist at Cannondale's headquarters would have done me more good than talking to Mark who is a major player with Cannondale than I certainly would have talked to the receptionist!!
I'm assuming since my dealer does not have any of the new slides that some other C'dale owners are experiencing the same difficulties, thus the note about calling Mark. And I do consider a worn out chain slide a big deal if it's eating into a very expensive swingarm and you have no spare and no means to attain one!!
Posted by: briansgi
Ryanstones, no problem, I was just trying to help anyone else out that was currently in my situation and was getting a little frustrated with this chain slide issue. I'm pretty happy with Cannondale overall, my dealer is a different story. If all I have to complain about is a worn out chain slide, I should feel fortunate. I've been watching the Suzuki forum and watching for feedback on their new Z400 from the new owners. One guy had just brought his new quad home and dropped it out of the bed of his truck and it bent his rear axle!! Wouldn't that piss you off!!
Posted by: smitty911
Ok, I called Cannondale on Thursday, they sent the Chain slide out to Trinity and they recieved it Wen. I now have it at home, it looks like the one on my Speed but is more of a shine to it.
Now for the big question. I have the three screws off of the old one, How the hell do you get the old on off and the new one one, without removing to much?
Thanks for any help.
Smitty
Posted by: smitty911
Brian,
I also just called Cannondale and they sent one to my dealer. Customer service, now I remember what it's about.
Tried that the chain is way loose. The guard wraps around the front. I tried just pulling it, No go. It hits the chain, off the other way it hits the shock.
Still looking for a good way with out removing the swing arm and buying more tools.
Smitty
Posted by: smitty911
Yodaddy,
I called Cannondale spoke to the receptionist and she sent it to Trinity for me to pick up. I don't know what kind of problem you've had with your dealer so call Cannondale. I got mine 5 days including one weekend after I talked to them. I said I had maybe 6 hours on it and it was already going away.
I don't want to spend $12.00 after each weekend of riding either so I hoper the harder material works.
Later, offf to remove the chain.
Smitty
Posted by: smitty911
That was no 20-30 min job. It took me 15 min. just to get the master link off. After breaking the retainer clip to the master link, 4.95 for a new one at Cycle West. 30 min to get the clip backon. Are my mechanicials skills that bad?
Smitty
Posted by: CaliforniaCannibal
The more cannondale ATV's that hit the streets, the larger the potential gain for the independent guys to design parts for us, and this sounds like a product where there may be a huge market.
If you have a favorite aftermarket manufacturer, shoot them a letter or e-mail asking them to make one. They'll probably ignore your 1 letter, but if 100 of us ask for a part, you can bet somebody will step up to the plate and give us what we want.
And with more aftermarket parts hitting the streets, Cannondale will have more exposure, and more ATV's will be sold. Everyone wins!
The only downside... there will be fewer honda's and yamaha's to beat up on.
