how to remove links from a motorcycle chain

FTP_929 · 11-01-2009, 1:19 AM

Hey my tire is as far back as it can go and the chain is pretty damn loose,is it safe to take a link or two out and re attaching? or will it stretch more and snap? there aren't any tight spots in the chain as i can tell. i just can't afford a new chain and sprocket at the moment

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 1:38 AM

Originally Posted by FTP_929

Hey my tire is as far back as it can go and the chain is pretty damn loose,is it safe to take a link or two out and re attaching? or will it stretch more and snap? there aren't any tight spots in the chain as i can tell. i just can't afford a new chain and sprocket at the moment

You can take two links out but is there 16mm of room there to pull the wheel forward?
What gearing are you running?
If you have that much wear though I think you should replace the chain.

FTP_929 · 11-01-2009, 1:54 AM

i guess i can take 1 link out and just pull the wheel forward is that what you mean?

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 1:56 AM

Originally Posted by FTP_929

i guess i can take 1 link out and just pull the wheel forward is that what you mean?

You can only take links out in pairs. Since each link is 5/8" you'll need enough slack in the adjuster to be able to pull the wheel forward 5/8".

nomad13RR · 11-01-2009, 2:23 AM

Not sure how you got the chain to where you can't adjust it back anymore, but it sounds like you need new chain and sprockets.

Like BladeRacer said you can only take links out in 2's.

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 2:24 AM

Originally Posted by nomad13RR

Not sure how you got the chain to where you can't adjust it back anymore.

My guess is odd gearing - one off the front with stock rear perhaps?

FTP_929 · 11-01-2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by nomad13RR

Not sure how you got the chain to where you can't adjust it back anymore, but it sounds like you need new chain and sprockets.

Like BladeRacer said you can only take links out in 2's.

i had a stock sprocket setup for the longest,then my friend put a 2 down in the back sprocket but the whole time the tire was as far back as it could go

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by FTP_929

i had a stock sprocket setup for the longest,then my friend put a 2 down in the back sprocket but the whole time the tire was as far back as it could go

Two teeth down on the rear is where the problem is. Why would you want such high gearing? Put a stock sprocket back on and then you'll be able to adjust the chain properly.

FTP_929 · 11-01-2009, 1:05 PM

i road highway all the time so i wanted to use less RPM's but even with the stock sprocket i had the same problem i'm having now,i just have no money what so ever for a new setup

Dangerous Des · 11-01-2009, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by bladeracer

You can only take links out in pairs. Since each link is 5/8" you'll need enough slack in the adjuster to be able to pull the wheel forward 5/8".

Originally Posted by nomad13RR

Not sure how you got the chain to where you can't adjust it back anymore, but it sounds like you need new chain and sprockets.

Like BladeRacer said you can only take links out in 2's.

OK maybe a daft question, but why can you only take links out in pairs?

I only ask as I was going to try taking a link out on my old chain, but didn't bother in the end & just fitted a new one (with sprockets of course!)

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by FTP_929

i road highway all the time so i wanted to use less RPM's but even with the stock sprocket i had the same problem i'm having now,i just have no money what so ever for a new setup

It's not possible for two rear sprockets two teeth different to place the axle at the same point on the swingarm with the same chain length. Your axle _must_ have been significantly forward of where it is now with the stock rear sprocket unless the chain is _very_ worn - in which case I definately recommend replacing it.

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by Destructo

OK maybe a daft question, but why can you only take links out in pairs?

I only ask as I was going to try taking a link out on my old chain, but didn't bother in the end & just fitted a new one (with sprockets of course!)

Very simple, they have inner and outer links and you can't connect two inners or two outers together.
Years ago they made half-links which did allow you to remove a single link. One end of the link is narrow and the other is wider but they would never cope with modern horsepower. You could probably use half links if you had maybe 25-30hp though.

Dangerous Des · 11-01-2009, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by bladeracer

Very simple, they have inner and outer links and you can't connect two inners or two outers together.
Years ago they made half-links which did allow you to remove a single link. One end of the link is narrow and the other is wider but they would never cope with modern horsepower. You could probably use half links if you had maybe 25-30hp though.

D'oh I was thinking outer links.... never gave the inner links a thought! Silly sod.

Thanks for the reply!

bladeracer · 11-01-2009, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by Destructo

D'oh I was thinking outer links.... never gave the inner links a thought! Silly sod.

Thanks for the reply!

I do think it's a bit silly to insist on measuring motorcycle chain by single links when they can only be used in pairs but I suppose the rest of the chain industry uses the system.

Dangerous Des · 11-01-2009, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by bladeracer

I do think it's a bit silly to insist on measuring motorcycle chain by single links when they can only be used in pairs but I suppose the rest of the chain industry uses the system.

I was thinking in terms of an inner and outer link as 1 link.... I was trying to figure out why removing one of these (inner and outer) would cause a problem, it was doing my head in!!