Interest in custom security chain?

[LabRat675]

With the consistent thefts around here I have had the idea of making a massively overkill motorcycle security chain.

Obvious pro's and cons are that it would be expensive, and stupid heavy thus not practical for commuters. However fixed installs at apartments/garages would be good. It will weigh around 8lb per foot. Cost will depend on the final decision of the grade/type of chain/coating. But I am aiming for $200-400 without a lock and depending on length.

And no, I'm not quite talking anchor chain here. But close! The idea is to surpass the capacity of anything portable and take >5min with a grinder to get through.

I was thinking of carrying it to help secure my trailer when we are out on the road. To help cut costs if I could find buyers buying in bulk would lower overall costs of the chain. So I want to know from BARF if there is enough interest in such a thing. Maybe with Budman's approval a logo'd cover could be made and give a kickback of each sale as a donation to the forum.

So let me know if I have gone completely off my rocker or if there is enough interest to buy a 1000lb barrel of chain.

 

[Paulo666]

First of all I like where your going with this idea. I've been mulling over ideas myself on a very tough security system for motorcycles. The problem is also the lock itself. As you can see photos here of locks broken on the road from thieves. Your going to need a very good lock and those are also expensive.

Checkout this site from the UK. Pretty impressive stuff.
http://lockitt.com/chain3.htm#19_1

 

[mrzuzzo]

Yeah, my thieves were unable to get through the chain but they were able to cut the lock.

 

[gaius49]

I live out in the mountains and don't have to worry about theft.

 

[El Feo]

OP: 8lb/ft is actually overkill. 19mm top grade chain is only half that. Money should be spent on hardening treatment, steel alloy and coating for anything 16mm or above.

I mean, a guy with a hacksaw can quietly saw through untreated boat anchor chain with enough time.

First of all I like where your going with this idea. I've been mulling over ideas myself on a very tough security system for motorcycles. The problem is also the lock itself. As you can see photos here of locks broken on the road from thieves. Your going to need a very good lock and those are also expensive.

Checkout this site from the UK. Pretty impressive stuff.
http://lockitt.com/chain3.htm#19_1

Lockitt is actually 'Murican. I've ordered Protector chains from them. They import them into the US. Protector is on the order of Almax chain except you can actually buy them here.

Lockitt has really good customer service, too.

Yeah, my thieves were unable to get through the chain but they were able to cut the lock.

Zuzzo, sorry about your grom, but that was really bottom basement stuff there. $30 for a chain and lock?! And it was only 10mm which good bolt cutters could have cut quickly.

 

[louemc]

I don't get the question... Could be because I'm a tool&die maker.. I cut any grade of steel.

And cutting tools are sold at any hardware store.

 

[orbframe]

Can it thread through my open spark plug holes and around my shifter?

 

[El Feo]

Can it thread through my open spark plug holes and around my shifter?

:laughing

Please don't summon him.

 

[SimbaDC650]

of course not, I store my bike in a gated underground apartment garage , thats me but im looking for a extra chain

 

[LabRat675]

First of all I like where your going with this idea. I've been mulling over ideas myself on a very tough security system for motorcycles. The problem is also the lock itself. As you can see photos here of locks broken on the road from thieves. Your going to need a very good lock and those are also expensive.

Lock wise I was sizing the chain for an Abloy 362. Overkill in itself and the size of chain takes up the entire shackle preventing a good bite on either.

The chain I am looking at is american made. Basically I was looking at alternatives to the Lockitt/Almax chain. I have options in both case hardened and through hardened and even hardened stainless. This isn't just cheap hoist chain.

OP: 8lb/ft is actually overkill.

Thats the idea! why do 19mm when you can do 22! (of course I could order 19mm chain, but I never do anything the intelligent or practical way)

Can it thread through my open spark plug holes and around my shifter?

You could probably stuff the shifter through a chain link, but it might be too big for the spark plug hole. Might knock some pebbles in there while trying to fish it through the exhaust port.

 

[El Feo]

Yeah, in that neighborhood, you run into practical considerations like how will I be able to thread the chain, as it will only fit though a wheel. Also, the stuff you lock it to tends to be weaker than the chain itself.

I like your thinking though.

of course not, I store my bike in a gated underground apartment garage , thats me but im looking for a extra chain

You do know that labrat put included that sarcastically, right?

 

[RightCoastBias]

of course not, I store my bike in a gated underground apartment garage , thats me but im looking for a extra chain

Hope you're joking. Because there's been a plethora of threads where bikes are stolen from such places. It's pretty common, unfortunately.

My bike is not stored anywhere secure and I don't even lock my steering column. I just insure myself so I'll be made whole again.

That being said, I think a good chain and lock are great deterrents for theft. Obviously anyone can cut through any chain or lock given time/resources. But the goal is to make it harder, Lou.

 

[nebulous]

Yes. I have a Security Maxx Chain 1/2 inch, an ABUS combination lock that is also 1/2 inch and a Xena rotor lock.

Yes. No security is perfect. My hope is that if a determined thief really wants to steal my 16yo bike, he will make so much noise I or a neighbor will hear it.

Also, that old yarn about a bear chasing you and your buddy; the lock doesn't have to be unbreakable, it just has to be harder to break than the locks on other bikes in your neighborhood.

 

[Strigoi]

My bikes are garaged at my house and neither are worth enough to justify spending hundreds of dollars on a chain/lock setup for them. I do occasionally keep the DRZ chained up, it makes the other bikes in the garage easier to steal.

 

[Gawernator]

And here I am running with either nothing or one of my disc locks. Ironically my fancy XENA disc lock with alarm was stolen... Just the lock. Lol. So now it's just a $20-30? Kryptonite lock

 

[Gawernator]

Yes. I have a Security Maxx Chain 1/2 inch, an ABUS combination lock that is also 1/2 inch and a Xena rotor lock.

Yes. No security is perfect. My hope is that if a determined thief really wants to steal my 16yo bike, he will make so much noise I or a neighbor will hear it.

Also, that old yarn about a bear chasing you and your buddy; the lock doesn't have to be unbreakable, it just has to be harder to break than the locks on other bikes in your neighborhood.

None of the bikes here have a lock, so that's easy!

 

[Whammy]

Garaged !
At work there's the loophole.
Any deterrent is better than none.
I cant see lugging a chain and lock everyday.
There are more high tech, expensive options out there that will let you know your bike has been moved,and where its going.
Truthfully if a thief wants your bike they'll get it.

 

[kamaji]

Why not just get an Almax chain? Probably costs a bunch to ship across the pond, but that's the only problem I can find with it.

 

[redtail]

I have my bikes in my garage, but I'd like to have decent lock/chain that I could carry with me when on overnight trips. There have been times when I had to park my bike in a sketchy area and have been lucky.

So the huge chain idea most likely wouldn't work for me, it needs to be more mobile than that.

 

[louemc]

Garaged !

Truthfully if a thief wants your bike they'll get it.

That's the bottom line truth. The gullible are folks that have never cut steel, don't know how or what it takes.

Now you can buy a cutting torch that fits in the cargo pocket on your leg, in Jean pants.