chain stretch

[john swenson]

just curious... after a new chain has stretched to the point it get's replaced , has anyone ever measured how much longer it was than when new ? sometimes then tensioner won't take up anymore slack , but if you try to put in a half link..you can't pull the chain together even when the tensioner is off. 1'',2'', ... stretch ? johnboy va.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I didn't actually use a rule, but the primary chains on my Max stretches about two inches using the eyeball method by the time I change them out. Three changes so far.
Roughly the same for the axle chains. One change out with these.

[Andyman]

I thought I posted a cool chain stretch chart on here somewhere but I cannot find it.

[john swenson]

thanks guys... it says under roller chain '' stretch '' info sites that after 2 - 3 % stretch it's time to change . so i guess a 48 '' length chain , that would be about a inch. another site said..bunch up the chain, then stretch it . if the length is about a link longer time to change. i think most change when the tensioner won't do any good anymore. i will find out at some point on my max 2 frame mod. i will not have tensioners , but will be able to pull the front and rear axles away from the center axle up to 2'' to keep chains adjusted as needed . j.b.