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!!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 **** you off!!

 

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

 

<< 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.

 

Ryan, I'm not trying to be like corndog and say, &quot;Cannondale, give me a replacement for free.&quot; 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&quot;m whining... I just atleast want an explaination.

 

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. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] 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.

 

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.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] 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. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

But anyways, Ryan, I'll prolly just order a new chain slide from R&amp;S. But I would still like an explaination... thats all I need to sleep well tonight [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]