Chain Pitch?

[Ted]

Basically... what is it?

I'm after a new chain and sprockets for my bike, but what is chain pitch?

I was looking on M&P, and I've got an option of 428 pitch, or 520 pitch! Is it to do with the width of the chain or something?

[G]

It is indeed the width.

428 sounds a bit thin? 520 is the standard for a lot of bikes from smallish bikes to being used, but not standard on 600cc race bikes.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Pitch is not the width, it is the length of links (pin to pin, or distance between teeth of the sprocket it goes on).

The width is seperate from the pitch:-

https://www.moto-chains.com/site/898528/page/578189

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[G]

Oops, ignored the 'pitch bit'.

Wasn't aware that was quite how chains were done. However, I note that '520' isn't a pitch, it's a chain size. Which is a combination of pitch and width it seems.

[bugsy46]

Yeah your right. The first number (5) denotes the pitch, the remaining numbers (20) is the chains width. Some companies change the last digit to denote chain strength etc but this is slightly off topic here. Changing chain size is a compromise, converting down from 525 to 520 for example provides better acceleration due to less drag on the transmission, however you are sacrificing chain strength and life
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[TUG]

Fzr's chains are 428 but i upgraded to 520 and its hell loads better, dunno what the advantages are tho.
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[feef]

[TUG]

thanks
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[Ted]

Cheers guys!

If I replace both sprockets as well then I don't have to worry about the chain being the same pitch and width as the original, as long as it fits the sprokets, right?

Which would bring me to the next question: do all sprokets fit the same? Ignoring the ratio of teeth between them, but do they all bolt on the same way? I've got a Gilera Coguar (italian)...

[Kickstart]

[Ted]

[Kickstart]

Pretty close to zero.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[bugsy46]

Ahhhh you say you have a gilera coguar!? Ok then, can you tell me if your spindle has a nut either side of it?! Im doing one at the moment and im waiting on a spindle because the fucker needed cutting off
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[Ted]

The rear wheel spindle? Yeah, its got a nut either side, 17mm I think...