How to measure a chain

[dragon831]

I have an old thunderkart and the chain has stretched to the point to where it sometimes falls off. I've moved the engine forward as much as possible but the chain is just too long. How do I measure the chain to see what size it is?

 

[kendelrk]

take a tape measure and measure the distance between the link that goes over the tooth of the sprocket, or you could look at all the links of the chain, at least one link will have the chain number,

 

[devino246]

Measure the pitch. 1/2=#40 or #41, 3/8=#35

 

[dragon831]

thanks, but what about the length of the entire chain? or do the lengths also coincide with the chain# ?

 

[r_chez_08]

Chain can be bought in feet or link numbers. You may have a master link on the chain, if so remove it and measure the chain. If you are buying it in links divide the length by the pitch, eg. 30" length / 1/2" pitch = 60 links. Alternatively you could count the number of links.

 

[fowler]

get the old chain and lay it on a solid floor

push both ends together as to shrink it bach down to origonal size
then measure it and add 5cm (2 inches) onto that number to be on the safe side

 

[dragon831]

thanks to everyone

 

[buckeye]

You can also use a rope to measure. Run the rope where you chain runs and wallah, the length of rope it takes is your chain length.