Expected life of drive chain?

But 2% wear on a 5/8 pitch = 12.5 thou wear per pitch and assuming this is not stretch of the link it is all wear to the pin. Andy says 2% or 2 pitch elongation on a 100 link chain which is an increase in length of 30mm+ (100 links x 15.88 length of pitch x 2% = 31.76mm). 0.365% results in a lot less elongation than that i.e. 6mm.

So what are you saying?
 
Hi Davo

When assessing the chain stretch by measuring the movement on the adjusters, the whole length of chain is not particularly relevant. The bits of chain wrapped around the sprockets don't contribute much to the elongation between shaft centres. It's mostly the tangential runs top and bottom, so Mark's calculation is a reasonable approximation - well it would be if he'd worked it out right  :D

Cheers,
Cam
 
Yeah, I know, but:-

1. I couldn't be bothered figuring out how many links to exclude from the calculation

&

2. I thought he was confused enough already without adding further confounders.

:LOL:
 
Strewth! If you can pull more than half the chain's width off the sprocket, its stuffed ::) (Or so I have been told)
 
So, does that mean my theory has been wrong all this time?

Here it is: If you can hear the chain sort of "reverberating" or if you can feel the same through the pegs, the chain is fucked!
 
When you hear a PING then your right leg gets covered in hot oil then you know your chain is shot.
Thank you.
 
:D :D

Chris, I think that's one stage before your bike suddenly feels as though it's slipped into neutral. If you swivel your head around quick enough when that happens, you might see the chain slithering along the road behind you like a snake.

That's exactly what happened to me once. I was a poor student in those days and could only afford cheap industrial chain, then try to make it last as long as possible. The intention was always to replace it just before it broke, but took that one a little too far. Fortunately it didn't do any damage on the way through.

Cheers,
Cam
 
Bah humbug. I've ridden with chains that sounded like they were running on off centred sprockets, without drama. But when they sounded/felt like that I knew it was time to chain-ge it.

The only time a drive chain has "thrown" on me was when I raced speedway, and that only happened when gating. Feels funny walking back down the track 20 metres to retrive it.
I wouldn't be a starter for quids.
 
I dread the mention of speedway machines. They have always had chain problems since day one.

Most rear chains problems are due to flex in the frames, can be easily rectified by shaving 1/16
off the sprockets.

Drag bikes also tend to shed chains on the launch, see www.les harris racing and guess what
chain he uses :D :D :D :D :D :D
 
andychain said:
Most rear chains problems are due to flex in the frames, can be easily rectified by shaving 1/16
off the sprockets.
Click to expand...

Bugger me Andy, now you tell me, where were you 25 years ago? Speedway frame need flex, it's part of the way they work.
 
Used to help a Gerald Short amongst others.

Also helped a guy from Holland last year and it was him that was responsible
for my state at Netley Marsh, he would not stop buying me cider.....bugger :D :D :D

Old Harleys also had the same problem and they used to run 530 chain on 520 sprockets.

I really must get a life outside chain and porn :D :D :D :D :D
 
G'day Andy,
Have an old generic motorcycle maintenance book and it states the method for checking for a stuffed chain I mentioned. Is the book telling me a furphy?

Terry
 
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