About Drive Chains

Haynes says that the stretched limit for the drive chain is 316 mm over 21 rivets. But then the pitch is quoted at 15.9 mm, which works out at 318 mm over 21 rivets. Where am I going wrong?

Also, I dont seem to have any soft rivets on my chain, as described by Haynes. They all seem to be peened over exactly the same. When I come to change the spockets and chain should I just grind the heads of any twin set of rivets to get the chain apart?

John

my local garage did my last one. you can buy a tool for this cant you?

Originally Posted by ejohnh

Haynes says that the stretched limit for the drive chain is 316 mm over 21 rivets. But then the pitch is quoted at 15.9 mm, which works out at 318 mm over 21 rivets. Where am I going wrong?

Also, I dont seem to have any soft rivets on my chain, as described by Haynes. They all seem to be peened over exactly the same. When I come to change the spockets and chain should I just grind the heads of any twin set of rivets to get the chain apart?

John

No idea about the pitch gubbins, but I can help with the changing chain bit

Yes, just grind them off, after all you're not going to be using it again

Oh yeah, and if you do what I did and buy an OEM set of chain and sprockets don't look confused when the chain is all in one piece, it's meant to be like that, you have to grind off one of the links and then replace using the soft link to fit it (Or do something technical like take the swingarm out to fit it)

IIRC Suzuki used DID endless chains on the SV - so to get it off for replacement it's a grinder/hacksaw/bolt cutter job.

Originally Posted by WRCSixtyThree

IIRC Suzuki used DID endless chains on the SV - so to get it off for replacement it's a grinder/hacksaw/bolt cutter job.

So does the new chain and sprockets set come with a soft link to use? I really want a clip-on link so I can ride it to the garage to get it properly riveted; where can I get one of those? As this is probably gonna be the only chain I ever renew I dont want to buy a tool especially to do the riveting. (And yes, I do realise that I have to get it riveted properly ))

John

Don't think it does, you could just ride down with the old chain on and get them to cut and bin it, shouldn't charge much more.

OEM chain sets don't have a soft link included. I've had a "dealer" rivet up a chain and it was always a bit tight. You could see it hanging slightly on the bottom run for instance. I would prefer to get the swing arm out, get the pivot bearings regreased at the same time, plus the linkage and have the chain put in as assembled by the factory.

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

OEM chain sets don't have a soft link included. I've had a "dealer" rivet up a chain and it was always a bit tight. You could see it hanging slightly on the bottom run for instance. I would prefer to get the swing arm out, get the pivot bearings regreased at the same time, plus the linkage and have the chain put in as assembled by the factory.

One of the main reasons I got this bike was to do all the stuff myself. So if that means taking off the swing arm and putting on an assembled chain then I can do that. In fact that will save me messing around getting stuff riveted. I'm gonna need a way to support the backend without the paddock stand, to take off the swing arm.. mmm Dont mention the abba!!!

Where do you get a soft link anyway?

The last/only chain I bought came with a rivet link (and a split link 8-0). It was good brand - I just can't remember what.

[northwind]

If you buy from B&C Express they can supply clip and rivet links for most if not all their chains...

Having said that, the swingarm pivots never get serviced, it just never ever ever ever happens, and it should. So that's sort of in favour of endlesses.