Buying bike chain, length...

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...for a specific bike.
Would you expect to be sold one that was too long so you had to take links out.

...bit buggered if you didn't have a splitter.

Asking as my lad bought a chain and sprockets, asked specifically for the XL125V Varadero. Ordered from local bike shop as wanted to collect, quick next day delivery.
Chain came too long. 'Phoned and guy said he deliberately orders them too long so he doesn't get grief about the wrong size and it being too short.

Sounds like he cocked up and sprouting bull but I wanted to test the waters here before naming and shaming.

I ask as I'm in the habit of ordering bike specific from WEMoto and have never had an issue like this.


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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Vincent]

Aye....it's not unusual to have to cut it to length. If you don't have a specific tool, you can grind the top of the rivets off to remove a few links.....just be careful not to cut it too short
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[iooi]

Someone is spouting rubbish.

Chain and sprocket sets tend to be sold for a bike. So upu tell then its for X and it arrives with the correct length chain.

Take it back and tell them you want the correct length.

Sounds like they have bought a length of chain and are flogging it off that.
What marks does it have on the chain?
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Vincent]

It depends on the manufacturer, for eg, DID do the following lengths:-

102l
104
106
108
110
112
114
118
120
124.
Other makers, esp the cheapo ones, may not do as many options and for some bikes, they will need to be cut to length. What most sellers will do for specific bikes, is just use the nearest, the trouble with that is that you may find that you run out of adjustment quickly and the chain will need to be cropped anyway.
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Now I've looked into this it appears the chain length is a bit vague.

The likes of M&P list it as 520 pitch, 112 links, (i.e 520112).
However, Busters and Brooks Barn list it as 520110, so only 110 links.

I cannot find original Honda spec atm.

However, both of the 110 or 112 should imo have been able to be supplied off the shelf and both of which would fit, certainly not be too long.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Nipedley]

Both of the bikes I have bought chains for (GS500 and CBR600F) from eBay (DID however) and the chains came needing a link taken out, I think for my CBR600F I had to take out two links to get it to a good length.

[davebike]

I supply and fit / sell chains

Yes you can often get / supply exactly the correct length but sometimes there is a question over a particular bike as to what length is so
I would like wise always supply the longest length

A chain sent / given to a customer and returned can be unsellable so better supply the longer length and shorten if necessary

I would say if there was a question over length I would ask the customer how many links they need if they didn't know I would explain supplying longest and offer to shorten for free

Dave
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[Vincent]

It's worth checking that you have the original size sprockets before ordering and a good way to find out how many links you need/need to remove, is to loosen the back wheel, slacken off the chain adjusters so they're a few threads off being as far back as they will go and push the wheel as far forward as the adjusters will allow on this setting. Next, spin the wheel until the split link is on the rear sprocket. Block something under the back wheel to stop it moving and remove the split link. Take up the slack from the bottom and place the chain back on the rear sprocket by folding back the end links, pulling it tight. Check how many links are spare, put the chain back on and count the links. Obviously, subtract the spare links and Bob's yer uncle.
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