No. of chain links vs length

[Ma77]

is there a way of working out how many links of chain is needed to get a certain length?...

I have the sprockets for a 520 chain on the bike and have measured 159cm for the chain length but dont know how many links of chain i need...

help please :wink:

[forchetto]

A 520 chain pitch is 5/8" (.625") or 15.875 mm. It appears that you need about 100 pitches or 100 links including the master or spring link. Wouldn't mind someone else confirming this though...

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Ma77

...I have the sprockets for a 520 chain on the bike and have measured 159cm for the chain length but dont know how many links of chain i need...

If I may ask, how did you measure the chain length? If you measured the chain length properly, Forchetto is correct. However, you can make several errors while measuring the chain length.

Spud

[suprf1y]

Might find the info here

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

[Ma77]

can't find what i want on that site but will be usefull in future for working out my vfr400 gearing thanks :wink:

i measured it with the bike on a rear paddock stand both sprockets attatched and used a tape measure so it was resting on the sprocket teeth peaks.
as the chain link pins sit slightly below the peaks i will be measuring a little to long overall, i think, which is better than measuring too short....

what ya think and cheers for the help

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Ma77

...i measured it with the bike on a rear paddock stand both sprockets attatched and used a tape measure so it was resting on the sprocket teeth peaks.
as the chain link pins sit slightly below the peaks i will be measuring a little to long overall, i think, which is better than measuring too short....

what ya think and cheers for the help

That is the way I would measure it. I think Forchetto gave you the correct answer; you need 100 links including the master link.

Spud

[Ma77]

ok i have ordered a 104 link chain just to be on the safe side..... cheers for the help all and i will let you know how it turns out when it arrives

[SpudRider]

Great! Please do let us know how things turn out.

Spud

[Ma77]

yes 100 links was correct.... thanks all for the help.

I have been out on it for a quick run in to check everything is ok and had to tighten up the chain up a little and have since been out about 60 miles and it has not become any slacker so already its better than the stock sprockets and chain as they would have almost worn through by now definatley worth doing the upgrade when it comes time to replace the origionals

[forchetto]

Originally Posted by Ma77

yes 100 links was correct.... thanks all for the help.

Thanks for the feedback. I was sweating a bit thinking you getting a 100 link chain and needing a 101...

[Ma77]

well it wouldnt be a 101 as you cant remove 1 link, it has to be and even number of links rember....

Its nice to know that someone actually cares about someone on a forum that they have and probably will never meet...restores faith in humanity...unlike the local bike shop getting tyres on the wrong way round... TWICE :roll:

[forchetto]

Originally Posted by Ma77

well it wouldnt be a 101 as you cant remove 1 link, it has to be and even number of links rember....

It was a trick question...just testing you... :oops: :oops: :oops:

[warrior91]

With half links you can go odd numbered...

[phil]

while on the subject, well sort of, would someone care to explain if there is a diffrence between 428 and a 428h besides strength. chinese is all i have found that make a 428h sorry for asking i just have never tried myself to interchange and after reading this the question had to be asked

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by phil

while on the subject, well sort of, would someone care to explain if there is a diffrence between 428 and a 428h besides strength. chinese is all i have found that make a 428h sorry for asking i just have never tried myself to interchange and after reading this the question had to be asked

As far as I know, the only difference between a size 428 chain and a size 428H chain is strength. I have a Tsubaki 428HQR drive chain, and I know of several other Japanese companies that manufacture 428H drive chains.

Spud