A motorcycle chain comprises two precision ground pins peened at each end as a rivet, two bushes, two rollers and two side plates. A further pair of outer side plates join each link to the next link. In O ring chain a round seal is fitted on the pin between the plates to retain lubricant. The seal is contoured for less drag in X ring chains.
The Number of links is measured by the number of pitches, which is the gap between each pin or rivet and includes a Spring/clip or Rivet link to give an even number.
Please note that we supply lengths of chain to fit standard sprockets. When using sprockets with 2 or more extra teeth a chain with more links is often needed. Feel free to call for any assistance.
| Chain | Pitch | Width | Roller Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 415 | 12.70mm | 4.88mm | 7.75mm |
| 420 | 12.70mm | 6.35mm | 7.75mm |
| 428 | 12.70mm | 7.75mm | 8.51mm |
| 520 | 15.88mm | 6.35mm | 10.16mm |
| 525 | 15.88mm | 7.85mm | 10.16mm |
| 530 | 15.88mm | 9.53mm | 10.16mm |
| 532 | 15.88mm | 9.53mm | 11.10mm |
| 630 | 19.05mm | 9.53mm | 11.91mm |
| 632 | 19.05mm | 9.66mm | 12.68mm |
Side plate thickness varies with grade and make of chain. As a rule, 1.5 to 2.6 mm. It is important for safety to join chain with the manufacturers correct Rivet Soft Link or Split Spring Link.
Size, Manufacturer, and grade are often stamped on some of the side plates.
| Classic Size | Reynolds No | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 x 3/16 Inch | 110044 | Similar Modern 420 - See Below |
| 1/2 x 5/16 Inch | 110046 | Modern 428 |
| 5/8 x 1/4 Inch | 110054 | Modern 520 |
| 5/8 x 3/8 Inch | 110056 | Modern 530 |
BSA/Triumph Bantam/Cub and similar earlier lightweight British motorcycles need a Original 1/2 X 3/16 inch chain. This is because metric equivalents, although having the same pitch has different size rollers which will not correctly seat into the sprockets and will very quickly knock the tops off the sprocket teeth.
Many British bikes do not have sufficient clearance to fit Modern heavy-duty chains which tend to have very wide side plates.
Some British Classic bike run chains with an odd number of links. This is made possible by a special half link.
Nowadays there is little to no difference between 50 and 530 chains, but the difference originated from where 50 chains were used in industrial applications whereas 530 chains were used primarily for transport and vehicles. Therefore 50 chains were traditionally more durable but heavier and more expensive. To avoid confusion many chains these days are in fact marked as 50 (530) chains.
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