another chain question????????????????

[plott hound]

just how exactly is the best way to measure chain stretch?this conquest im working on has really good looking chains but they appear to be stretched.they are resting on the nylon wear bars on the frame. is this normal??????????

thanks

[JohnF]

measure center pin to center pin 10 links away. brand new is 5/8 inch so 10(5/8) is what that distance would be new. What you measure - 10(5/8) is the stretch for 10 links.

[plott hound]

thanks johnf,went cross eyed trying to do that.measured 10-5/8" but it was way more then 10 links.damn i need new eye balls.

[greggv2007]

Plott Hound A measurement of 10 5/8 inches would give you 17 links in # 50 chain. As 50 chain has a span of 5/8 of an inch from pin to pin. As an example [ 1 link = 5/8" , 2=1 1/4", 4= 2 1/2", 8= 5", 16=10", etc.]

[Rock Doctor]

one rule of thumb is to replace a roller chain which has elongated 3% on an adjustable drive or 1.5% on a fixed-center drive

10 links of 5/8 pitch chain should measure 6.25" new

10 links stretched 3% will measure just under 6.35"

RD

[plott hound]

ok guys,will check the measurements this morning.quick question though RD,does the chain on your conquest rest on the wear bars???????

thanks

[Rock Doctor]

That is not a matter of stretch, it's tensioners...........

The chains do not ride on the wear bars while moving forward, but they do when in reverse
Depending on how the machine is stopped will have some bearing on how the chains sit at rest. I have replaced the wear bars on my Conquest 3 times, so they must be touching quite a bit........... sometimes.

THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, BUT ..................... Not sure how to answer it.

RD

[mac]

one rule of thumb is to replace a roller chain which has elongated 3%

RD

I'm sure there's a good reason but a new kid like me will ask Why not take some links out?

[plott hound]

thats perfect RD,will move it forwards and back to see what they do.then will try to get a measurement on the stretch.although the chain is sitting on the wear bars,the bars themselves are not wore down so your answer is perfect.

thanks man!

That is not a matter of stretch, it's tensioners...........

The chains do not ride on the wear bars while moving forward, but they do when in reverse
Depending on how the machine is stopped will have some bearing on how the chains sit at rest. I have replaced the wear bars on my Conquest 3 times, so they must be touching quite a bit........... sometimes.

THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, BUT ..................... Not sure how to answer it.

RD

[Rock Doctor]

I'm sure there's a good reason but a new kid like me will ask Why not take some links out?

When a chain stretches, the "Pitch" changes. It's not the side plates actually "lengthening", it's the pins in the chain wearing out. When the "Pitch" changes enough you will start to wear out your sprockets.

Shortening the chain is a temporary fix, but.........

RD

[mac]

A good reason it is too,thanks!

[JohnF]

... What you measure - 10(5/8) is the stretch for 10 links.

Sorry - that was written in mathspeak. 10(5/8) means: 10 time 5/8.

It says: (your measurement) minus (10 times 5/8) equals the stretch.

[Bazooo guy]

Installing new chain on worn sprockets will wear out the chain quicker also

[plott hound]

hope to have time to finish stripping the machine this weekend.think im gonna luck out on the chains,they look to have very little stretch.

[teeko]

...leads to shiny new sprockets and bleeding knuckles!
(to finish RD's sentence)