Chain Length?

[Beaver]

I am about to order 2 chains for my bikes and am unsure of how many links I should be ordering.

The first is a '77 GS750 with stock gearing, 630 chain, but an '82 gs1100 swingarm. The second a GS1000S converted to a 530 chain, and what I am guessing is a Bandit 600 swinger and what will be 18-49 gear.

I know the question is a bit random, but I am assuming among the myriad of different members and their bikes here there must be someone that can lead me in the right direction.

Cheers

Angus

[Steve]

There is some interesting information on the Z1 site about converting from 630 to 530 chain and how to figure out what you need. If your swingarm is longer than stock, that will have to be accounted for, but if you dig around a bit, I'm sure you will find it.

.

[Beaver]

Cheers Steve, I have been digging and have also read up on Z1, I am now wiser on what chain that I want and what to do with it once it arrives, but as for how long it should be I haven't found anything useful there yet. Is there any merit in just ordering a chain that you know is too long and cutting it down? I am only versed in bike chains and they are childs play compared with MC chain.

[Steve]

Sorry, can't help you any more than that.

The only chains on my three GSs are all inside the engine.

.

[Beaver]

Ho ho ho...

[royt69]

Try this site to find out the number of links to get http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/S...ptimizer2.aspx

[Beaver]

Sweet link, cheers!!

[posplayr]

Cheers Steve, I have been digging and have also read up on Z1, I am now wiser on what chain that I want and what to do with it once it arrives, but as for how long it should be I haven't found anything useful there yet. Is there any merit in just ordering a chain that you know is too long and cutting it down? I am only versed in bike chains and they are childs play compared with MC chain.

A 120link 530 is probably a good size to order if you got something to cut the extra links off with. Like the saying goes " one size fits all" with some customization .

IIRC, The standard GS1100E 530 conversion (16x48 or 17x48) is 114 links (do a search Turtleface just did this on an 1100EZ)
My GS1100ED 16x47 with bandit arm is 116 cut down from 120.

[kta]

Generally I just buy the biggest then trim off a few unneeded links. I'm always comforted to have a few spare links and a master stashed under my seat. I haven't needed the spare links before - but I've thrown several masters.

[Beaver]

Thanks for the tips boys.

I tried this:



The chain is originally 96 links, so with my technique I get a chain length of 100 links. I will order more, but am curious to hear, if I have accounted for slack, if anyone can see a flaw in my plan?

[posplayr]

Thanks for the tips boys.

The chain is originally 96 links, so with my technique I get a chain length of 100 links. I will order more, but am curious to hear, if I have accounted for slack, if anyone can see a flaw in my plan?

Well did you measure the slack with the extra two link spaces?

[Beaver]

there is slack in it now, and I actually counted 99 links so with the even 100 it should be spot on...