Chains!

So as some of you know all to well I have a small compulsion with disposal and use of old chains. Since my retirement from competitive cycling it has given me time to think and contemplate things. I can now admit that I might have a slight problem. I might need help, maybe seek some consoluing, or find some new chain source (something for $4.99 or less). I think I just have issues with throwing things away. I don't think that it is an extreme case of hording but none the less I just can't part with all of my chains.

Here are some chains, who knows how long I have had them. I do believe that they are still useable and have many rides left in them. I used to use a zip lock bag system. Each chain had the gear ratio they worked with labeled on them. They weren't easy to store and things got kind of screwed up when I didn't update the bag. Multiple chains got placed in one bag, things were dirty, I just didn't like the system. Lately I have gone to storing them in old chain boxes. If wrapped real neatly you can stack them nicely. The system keeps the dirt and grime to a minimum and I have been somewhat good with updating the boxes.

These two chains are much older. I hadn't developed my elaborate chain storage system yet. But yet again they can be mounted on a bike and one day be ridden and fixed by Jared.


I also like to make chains out of chains. Below are some chain pieces that are just waiting to be added into an existing chain to become a new chain, a longer chain, a better chain. As Jared called it last week a Franken Chain. Unlike the monster this chain is nothing to be feared. If put together correctly there are many more miles that could be had. Since each chain has its own stretch it allows me to scientifically create chains to match the gearing I wish to run.


My most favorite tool in my toolbox. Yes, the elusive chain tool. This particular one is a Park CT-5. I have often thought about upgrading to a plier type chain tool such as the Park CT-2 but, hey the CT-5 works just fine for me.


Below is some of my handy work. Notice the two different chain colors. Yes this is a chain that has been spliced together. It has over 200 miles on it since its creation and no failures. I did have to shorten it due to some stretching after the first couple of rides. I have recently gone back to using the SRAM quick link system. This aides in the quickness of lengthenig and shortening of chains. It also puts less wear and tear on the pins from forceable removal with my CT-5.


Below are some chain pieces that some day I hope to put back together and make good links from so that they can be inserted and used as new pieces in new chains.


So in my retirement I started to wonder where this compulsion of cobbeling chains together come from. I was rather confused of where I learned this behavior until recently. I was at my parents house over the Thanksgiving weekend. While there they asked me to help put up the Christmas tree and the lights on the outside. All was going well until I was required to go and get the extension cord box. What I found next explained it all.

Below you see the plug end of a cord that was obviously made back in the 1920s


With a little bit of electrical tape and a newer brown extension cord.


You create a longer, better extension cord. Obviously the brown cord was not long enough to do the initial job so therefore the plug end needed to be surgically removed and added onto the 1920s cord to create one much longer UL approved extension cord.


Below we see an extension cord that obviously did not allow enough electrical items to be plugged into it. So, surgically remove the old end and add a newer better white end. What do you end up with? An extension cord that is much, much better than what you started with.


Like my chains, below you see cords that are hanging around just waiting to be made into new much better cords. If you look real hard you will notice that my father just dosen't mess around with 110 cords but he also delves into the world of 220 cords.


Below is a box of cords, plugs, and ends that are just waiting to be used or inherited by me.


I hope this view into the psyche of the Cooper mind will help you understand my compulsion with chains. If any of you would like to donate either old chains or boxes to my cause it would be greatly appreciated.