Chain Protection Sleeve

If you put a tension spring across several links (in parallel with the padlock) inside the bag it won't rattle

One model engineering club has passenger cars on the 5"G, which are stored vertically in a shed against the wall. A chain around them is fixed to the wall, semi permanently one side and quick release hook on other side, the purpose being to prevent them from toppling over causing injury or damage. To prevent the chains from damaging the cars, the chains are in clear plastic tubing, maybe about 5/8"? diameter, as far as I can recollect. I think it was from either a DIY shed like BnQ or a small ironmongers shop, not expensive. As Treasurer, I've just rummaged this year's purchasing receipts but no trace so must be in archives, previous year.

Just an idea, why chain as opposed to steel cable - Stainless if you like ?

Gawd I hope not! Very little space in that under-bag compartment, its only intended to hold the retracted aero elastics, so one handed wresting with a spring could be fraught. Fortunately the size of chain I have works pretty well when it comes to cutting a length. Not tight, just loose enough to manipulate the lock, rather than rattle around slack so should be OK.

DMB

Yep you are right. Just checked on the website and B&Q do sell sleeved security chains. 4 sizes and 4 lengths at £ very reasonable. Quick connecting links too. Never occurred to me to look. I knew they sold un-sleeved chain and assumed that was all. Unfortunately the 6 mm size that I need is too short. Getting 2 and joining the sleeves to use on my chain would have been a possibility. None in the local stores or I'd saddle up and look.

Speedy Builder5

Still have the same protective sleeve issue with cable but main issue is length. Chains can be adjusted by cutting links, with loop ended cables you are pretty much stuck with what you can get unless you have the crimp sleeve tools needed to form new end loops. My tool only goes to 5 mm and I only have 3 mm plain galvanised cable and crimps to hand. Which will be silly skinny.

Off the shelf sleeved cable and lock systems are just too long. Shortest I've found was 1.6 m. Also not that flexible so the tighter bend round the chrome stay may be an issue. Crimp sleeves can be bought so DIY loop making is possible. If I had suitable size cable I'd try it and hunt for a tool I could borrow if it seemed viable. Making tooling for my bench or hydraulic press if a borrowable tool couldn't be found isn't impossible. U bolt style clamps for appropriate sizes of cable are surprisingly large and will be far too carnivorous in that shallow compartment.

Seemed lots of work when I have a chain that I've verified will fit adequately.

I mean "how hard could it be to find a sleeve" quoth he.

"Very" said the head gremlin with a toothy grin.

Hate "simple" jobs that go all difficult for apparently trivial reasons.

Clive

Clive , For a custom made solution l suggest MachGuard in Rotherham or the wire-reinforced ducting and hoses available from Arco in Sheffield . Trevor.

How about a bit of polythene tube or a bit of hose pipe?

Mark P

For a sleeved cable, maybe consider using or modifying a laptop security cable? Would probably need shortening, though.

Rob

Sorry only just seen photo of application, my helmet chain is inside a cycle inner tube and I also use a laptop security cable whic Iut through the sleeve of my jacket and use a long shackle padlock.

Just rounding off the thread by reporting a successful outcome.

I got a couple of sizes of Gorilla sleeve to try on my chain which is nominal 3 mm diameter link material (really cheap out of LiDL).

3/4" sleeving **LINK**

https://www.hypex.co.uk/Techflex-Sleeving-and-Heatshrink/Heavy-Duty-Sleeving/Gorilla-Sleeve/

fitted nicely. I imagine it would work with 3.5 and 4 mm chain too. Possibly 5 mm but that might spread the weave enough to make it hard to get on.

I slotted a piece of 3 core, flat, household mains cable through first to use as a stiff puller 'cos I had a bit lying around of suitable length. Tried a number of ways but best technique was to push on the sleeve to expand about 5 or 6 inches and walk it up the chain in short bites pulling it straight with the wire after each bite. Being flexible the chain won't stay put so the sleeve can just be slid on in the normal way.

Finished the ends by running a short length of adhesive insulation tape round the sleeve to pull the sleeve tight round the chain controlling the inevitable folding. Then two sizes of heat-shrink tube, the two largest ones from handy dandy set of assorted sizes from LiDL again, to make a proper job. Smaller size to neaten up the tape followed by larger size over sleeve and down onto the smaller heat-shrink. Just using the large size doesn't work out as it can't shrink enough to go neatly round the exposed chain link. Maybe self amalgamating tape would do better than ordinary self adhesive tape at the initial pull in stage as its much more stretch and flexible. Might be tricky to keep the chain taunt enough to use self amalgamating tape though.

Different bike in picture as it was the rotary Nortons turn for a run in the sun yesterday so I nipped out to B&Q at Bexhill to look at the sleeved chains they supply. Far too large for this job. Nice 70 mile afternoon amble in the October sunshine, almost too warm behind the Commanders fairing, remembering to keep a firm hand on the throttle to control the innate rotary conviction that 80 mph is a nice cruising speed. Everywhere!

Clive

We sometimes use the same (or visually very similar) material on aircraft to sleeve looms.