Plain bushed chains

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Other than bicycle chains, I have little experience of these. (and the new one I have spare, both DID chains) both seem to have a little lateral play in them (presumably to both reduce friction and allow lube to get between the plates). The fitted one on the bike however feels a bit "notchy" when you try and get this play, as if the pins have slight grooves worn into them which the plates are climbing out of.

Chain and sprockets all seem pristine otherwise so while I can't be sure, I'd guess the chain is relatively new as it seems unlikely someone would replace the sprockets without touching the chain and if the chain was heavily worn I'd expect to see wear on the sprocket teeth? On an O/X ring chain don't get this movement so I can't compare, but is this fairly normal or indicative of the need for a new chain?

Cheers.
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TG.

stevo123 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Karma :

A bit of play is okay but notchyness sounds bad news. Why not replace it for peace of mind I'd say.

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

So took the chain off - looked at it and it felt much smoother in my hand bizarrely. I wonder if the notchiness is actually the take up of play between the links. Question

On the joining link there was absolute no visible wear on the pins - I’d have thought some would be visible if it really was worn. So I’ve put it back on again and will monitor.
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TG.

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Sealed chains are usually fitted to machines where the chain is fully enclosed by a case. No shite get to the chain that way so they last longer.
And on lower powered machines there is less load on the transmission in general. (But more than likely by it design will be dictated by designed power too The days of over engineering are gone. We have data to tell us how much metal/plastic is needed to last for so long.)

Chain wear is measured by tensioning the chain and measure the 'pitch' between 5 or 6 link pins.
Chain manufacturers or the machine manual should stathe 'Chain Pitch Extension'.

Any pair of links that are tight when worked around the common pin are scrap. And it only needs one scrap link in a chain to make them all scrap.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.