My chain is too long, can I shorten it??

[Airwolfie]

Bought me a chain which was SUPPOSED to be for my model, I tried to fit it today, and it's too LONG!!!!!

The rear wheel is about halfway in the axle holders, and I have an 18 tooth front sprocket, I think the rear is standard size, well I haven't changed it, so I assume is't original( I haven't counted the teeth yet!). It's an 81 US Custom.

So, my question is, can I shorten the chain?? Or should I just get a new chain?

Also, how would I check what length chain I need?

Thanks for looking guys!!

 

[FrkyMnky]

Yes you can shorten it. All chains come in standard lengths and its expected to cut off the extra links to fit the specific bike. Im guessing you don't have a chain breaker, so next easiest thing is a Dremel with a cutoff wheel. Then using a punch to knock the pin out. Keep in mind you can only remove in twos. Your chain should have come with a master link, either rivet or clip. If its a rivet link, you will need a press to install it, either bought or home made. I don't remember how to calculate chain length, but stock is 104.

 

[Fndirtygreaser]

Just take a few links off. Scoot your wheel forward. Wrap chain around both sprockets and eyeball how many links need to be removed. You could even be on the loose side. Just don't make it too tight otherwise you are screwed if it doesn't fit. Grind off the head on the pin and remove the pin via chain breaker tool. Or old school with hammer and punch.

 

[angus67]

you need one of these.
http://www.mikesxs.net/product/35-0111.html
You can rent them at most parts houses. looks like you need to take off three links. once you have the tool, use a grinder to grind off the peened head of the pin, then use the tool to push out the pin.
Advise, push rear wheel all the way forward, then determine how many links to remove, take them out, get your bike back together, and ride. the chain will stretch, so keep an eye on it. my chain stretched half a link. By starting out with the wheel all the way forward, this give maximum room for stretch and adjustment.
Use this info at your own risk. Other may confirm. (or not)

 

[hard_y_rd]

Since the chain is in 2 pieces, get it wrapped around the countershaft sprocket and you should be able to pull it tight enough to guesstimate would you need to cut off. I would use a angle grinder. Cut less if not sure the first time as it it is easier to cut again if needed. Easy peasy.

 

[I am Carbon]

Hey Airwolfie I see You have the answer.
So cut those links off and get that chain on.
I bought a 110 link chain, I have to do the same as You easy enough though.

 

[Airwolfie]

Awesome thanks guys!!

One more question, HOW do I put the chain on?! There is literallymno space around the front sprocket to get it over! Do I put the bike in neutral and then rotate the sprocket to get the chain round? Or do I remove the sprocket, add the chainmand re-install it? Or is there another way?

 

[hard_y_rd]

Should be able to roll the chain around the front sprocket in neutral with the back wheel jacked. No need to take the sprocket off.

 

[I am Carbon]

that way

 

[Airwolfie]

Cool. I'll give it a try tomorrow!

 

[Fndirtygreaser]

And if using master link. The closed end should be pointing to the direction of chain travel.

 

[5twins]

You're not one of those "I NEED AN 18T FRONT SPROCKET" idiots I hope. If so then there will be little to no space to thread the chain on. I couldn't offer any advice other than to stop being that 18T idiot, lol. As to whether you can shorten your chain, I only have one question for you ..... does Pinocchio have wooden boogers?

 

[CalsXS2]

You're not one of those "I NEED AN 18T FRONT SPROCKET" idiots I hope. If so then there will be little to no space to thread the chain on. I couldn't offer any advice other than to stop being that 18T idiot, lol. As to whether you can shorten your chain, I only have one question for you ..... does Pinocchio have wooden boogers?

Yes Pinocchio does have wooden booger's. And when he fart's, it's saw dust. I guess following this train of thought, that would me he really would shit a log.

 

[5twins]

..... and according to that latest Gieco commercial, he's not the greatest inspirational speaker either, lol. Well, he tries at least. It's really too bad that story wasn't done by a porn writer. I would be just fine with telling a few lies if it would make my dick bigger, lol.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Simply slide the clutch pushrod out first.
Also, the guard over the shift shaft normally gets removed, unless you come up with a novel way to run it...

 

[retiredgentleman]

You're not one of those "I NEED AN 18T FRONT SPROCKET" idiots I hope. If so then there will be little to no space to thread the chain on. I couldn't offer any advice other than to stop being that 18T idiot, lol. As to whether you can shorten your chain, I only have one question for you ..... does Pinocchio have wooden boogers?

Seriously, I can't see why anyone would want to gear these bikes any higher than 17 front, 30 rear.

Also I see mention of fancy $60 tools for chain breaking. A waste of money as I see it.

About 40 years ago, when I first needed to shorten a chain, it was common knowledge to just put a small grinding stone in a portable drill, and grind off the ends of the links. Easy and simple, cost maybe $5.00 for the grinding stone.

 

[fredintoon]

Bought me a chain which was SUPPOSED to be for my model, I tried to fit it today, and it's too LONG!!!!!
The rear wheel is about halfway in the axle holders, and I have an 18 tooth front sprocket, I think the rear is standard size, well I haven't changed it, so I assume is't original( I haven't counted the teeth yet!). It's an 81 US Custom.
So, my question is, can I shorten the chain?? Or should I just get a new chain?
Also, how would I check what length chain I need?
Thanks for looking guys!!

Hi Wolfie,
a stock 17T/34T takes 104 links so if you run 18T/34T sprockets it takes (my guess, ) 106 links.
Yes you can buy a fancy chainbreaker but here's my back lane bodger's fix:-
Pick the link you want to remove.
Take a cold chisel and a BFH, put the chain on the back of the vise and drive the chisel like a wedge between the chain's outer and inner sideplates, alternate one pin, t'other pin until the sideplate pops off.
Install the chain on the bike, be sure the chain has enough slack to get the joining link in.
Best way is to make the join with the chain gap at 3 o'clock on the rear sprocket.
Install joining link, be sure the horseshoe clip points closed end forward.
If you have an o-ring chain the joining link install is a bit more complicated.
Put an o-ring on each pin.
Insert link.
Put o-rings on each pin's outer end.
The o-ring joining link's outer plate is a force fit.
Now you need a visegrip (mole wrench) and a 3/16" or M5 nut.
Put the nut over a pin and squeeze the link together with the visegrip. the plate will go on a little.
Move nut and grip to the other pin. Ditto.
Swap between pins until the plate is fully home and the horseshoe clip grooves are fully visible.
Now you can install the horseshoe clip.
WARNING!
You can run 18T OK so long as you remove the inner chainguard and use standard weight chain.
If you run a heavy duty or a sealed (o-ring, x-ring) chain they all have bigger fatter sideplates and those larger sideplates WILL fly outward enough in use to gnaw little grooves in your shifter shaft.
I got the grooves in mine to prove it.
AND as you should have replaced chain and sprockets as a set, there's nothing that 18T/34T will get you that couldn't be had with 17T/33T.

 

[5twins]

Exactly, the 18T is just plain stupid. But hey, it's your bike, your money, your wasteful ways. After all, people sawzall these bikes all to shit, an 18T sprocket is pretty much nothing compared to that. I guess I shouldn't be complaining here, lol.

 

[Scrambled]

I usually replace the sprockets and chain at the same time, so if I had an 18T I would replace it with a 17T anyway . I the stock 17/34 works for me ,but I am not trying to break any speed records .

 

[Scrambled]

..... and according to that latest Gieco commercial, he's not the greatest inspirational speaker either, lol. Well, he tries at least. It's really too bad that story wasn't done by a porn writer. I would be just fine with telling a few lies if it would make my dick bigger, lol.

Maybe your dick isn't small, could be your hands are just too big . I guess you could get a couple of fingers removed ......