Chain Sizes

[scottychop]

Hello all,

I have a strange chain question for you. I have tried googling this question but cannot come up with a definite answer. Do all 530 chains have the same size bearing? The reason I ask is that last night I went to put on my new chain, and alas it was too short by two links.

I then tried to add two links to the chain via two master links of almost new 530 (300 miles on the old chain). The two master links were different. The new chain has a slightly smaller bore in the bearing? All other dimensions are the same however, length, width, etc....so I know it's a 530.

Crazy?

[Nessism]

Different chains have different pin diameters, and plate widths, thus the overall width can vary slightly. What's common is the roller diameter, roller width, and the distance between pins.

[Steve]

By definition, a 530 chain is 5/8" from pin to pin and 3/8" across the inside plates.

Beyond that, the overall width may be different, depending on size and shape of the o-ring (if any), but the basics remain constant.

.

[scottychop]

Ok

Then why does one master link fit, and the other not. Both are 530 master links???

Scott

[Steve]

In which direction does it not fit?

If it's width, one is long enough to handle and o-ring chain, the other is not.

The pitch (distance from pin to pin) should be the same on all 530 chains.

If the pin won't go in the hole, it's just a characteristic of that chain's bushings.

.

[scottychop]

The pin won't go into the hole. I guess that's just the difference between a chain from one manufacturer and another. I just went to the local shop and he handed me two different master links, both 530's - non oring types and they didn't match up with one another. He did have one that matched my chain. Going to go put it on now....

[Suzuki_Don]

The reason I ask is that last night I went to put on my new chain, and alas it was too short by two links.

SCOTTY, I would have to ask why was the new chain short by two links. Did you not check the number of links required before you purchased the chain. Or did you shorten the chain before doing a trial fit on the bike. I would not ever fit two master links to a chain and I would rivet any master links on a chain.

[scottychop]

Yes, I went with the Stock Katana measurement when ordering the chain. I am using a 600F swingarm on my GS450, and that didn't pan out to a 118. It was more like a 120. I knew better, but made a mistake when ordering. ALWAYS order a little bit longer than you think you need.

[koolaid_kid]

Good luck. I would truly hesitate to run 2 master links, but I understand your position. I dislike riveted links, but in your case I would rivet at least one of them.

[scottychop]

Ok

NO worries, I will throw in a tack weld on each master. Why do you consider running two links bad? Have you ever had a chain fail at the master? Curious, because I haven't, but then again, I don't ride really hard or for long distances.

Scott

[koolaid_kid]

I have never had one fail, although I did lose one once in the early 70s because I put the lock on backwards.
To coin a phrase, the master link is the weak link in the chain. Think of it this way: All the other links were assembled in a factory, on a machine, under very controlled conditions. The master, OTOH, is assembled by hand, usually in someone's garage or driveway. You can't duplicate the factory conditions or accuracy in your driveway, no matter how good you are.
And I prefer one "normal" master link in case I need to remove the chain for some reason, whatever it may be. A correctly assembled normal master link on a properly maintained chain will not fall off or fail, even on a 110 hp machine.