Called a chain guard or Shark Fin. It is to prevent your foot from entering the "chop saw" and losing a toe or more in a get off. Some like myself have gone with aftermarket rearsets with heel guards freeing up the OEM's that will bolt right up to the swim arm mounts for the fin. If you want to keep your OEM rearsets you might consider getting some CF heel guards and use your OEM for the fin and use the savings to offset your CF cost.

 

Manufacturers will try to sell you anything apparently.

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Are you saying that a lower chain guard is BS? If so you aren't very intelligent..........

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I have a pair of jeans and had a pair of boots that will give you a hint of how dangerous getting caught in the chain is. If you track your bike, race, or in general ride these are great investments.

 

For almost all racing organizations, these are mandatory. Even a lazy low-side can result in getting your feet and legs seriously injured to include toe/foot amputation. Generally this is one of the first things to go on every race bike I have ridden since the late 90's.

Yes, companies will try to sell anything. But for some strange reason every pro in the sport has a shark-fin on their bikes. Maybe it isn't a scam?

 

I witnessed someone get their lower leg reeled into the rear sprocket on a low-side. It almost sawed his ankle off. Im not saying the shark fins are a must, but I do see their purpose.

 

so you think that guy will make a new account or just stop coming here after an ignorant asinine comment like that.

 

No, I think I'll stay and make more "ignorant, asinine comments" since I've only been riding for more than 20 years. Never once have I come close to getting my jeans caught in my chain.

But if you have, by all means, buy one...:smilielol5:

Mr. Mean Moderator says no on ignorant and asinine comments.

 

I'm sure he/she is reading this right now thinking......oh damn I can't believe I said that lol

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No. I'm not.

Quite surprised by your initial comment having 20 yrs riding. I have mine for peace of mind just in case. Not for saving my jeans that I don't ride in.

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Quite surprised by your initial comment having 20 yrs riding. I have mine for peace of mind just in case.

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Good for you. Seriously.

But these aren't common on most bikes. At all. Perhaps on Triumphs, but not other manufacturers, especially japanese sportbikes. And obviously bikes without chains. lol.

 

I like the people who wear jeans to the track. We call them spectators. Sometimes they bring chicks with em. The chicks wear jeans too. Really tight jeans. Not the kind that get caught in chains and sprockets.

 

Street or track, I'll take a broken anything over feeding my toes through the sprocket. A cheap and valuable add-on in either scenario.

 

...did I miss something?

 

Subbed for pics of jeans on the track!!

 

Are you looking for people riding on the track in jeans? I don't think we allow that in the race organization I'm in. If you are looking for the aforementioned spectator chicks in jeans, I'll see what happens next round.

 

No sir. You wouldn't be allowed out of pit lane without the proper gear. Track organizers tend to make a really huge deal about proper gear. Leathers, boots, gauntlet gloves, back protector, full face non-modular helmet, and so on.

 

Now that's the kind of response I was expecting.

 

20 years riding eh? lol idk about that but... i like how everyone keeps hammering on the jeans comment about getting wrapped up... it has NOTHING to do with what your wearing at the time of a CRASH... anything has the potential of getting caught up in it... its basically one of many aftermarket safety/bike crash protection products you can buy... its not much different than wearing proper gear... if you can make the bike safer??? why not do it? having said all that... everyone is here for the love of triumph bikes and riding... so lets keep the silly trolling to a minimum plz

 

I thought they were for keeping your pubes from getting sucked in when you're cleaning your chain? I can't be the only one here that does bike maintenance in the buff, right?

 

I used to in my younger days. As you get older, your bean bag droops too close to the sprockets and disaster will occur.

 

Proof 20 years of anything does not make you intelligent.

 

dnbltn

Many folks manufacture a lower chainguard and the prices are usually reasonable. Another option would be to fabricate one to your own preference.

I used sheet aluminium, 3/16" I believe, and cut out the shape and holes to my own design.

The photos aren't the greatest but it's all I have of the guard.

 

I pretty sure its only the right side OEM heal guard that fits. Paul clued me in on this last year and its perfect.

 

Reading these comments have really made me laugh. All of your banter and ripping on someone with 20 years experience, and saying that he is not intelligent because he doesn't see the use of a product is sad. We are all here to help each other. I do see both sides on the use of a chain guard though. Just my opinion.

With that being said, this thread has been informative. However, I don't see the use either because how likely are you to stay with the bike when you low side it. Especially on the track at break-neck speeds, most motorcycles seem to launch in a different direction or further than the rider.

Anyways, great question as I have actually learned something I didn't know, and I have been riding for the past 6 years. Thanks guys!

 

However, I don't see the use either because how likely are you to stay with the bike when you low side it.

For the small cost of a shark fin it would be stupid not to use one. If it was a 1 in 1000 chance would you be willing to risk losing your toes?

 

Maybe pictures will work better for some people.

 

uke: I don't plan on tracking my new toy, but for 35 bucks, im glad I got one on order....