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Back to Chain Basics
Back to Customizing the Length of a Chain
Examples
The following three examples
demonstrate all you need to know in order
to create chains of any length. However, some practical considerations
are in order. You should never use more individual chain parts than is
absolutely necessary. The installation of a "single link" or "offset
link" requires 2 "master links". In this case, the parts total is 3. To avoid
a noisy chain and reduce the likelihood of breakage, you should always
keep the parts count to a minimum! If you must add more than 4 holes
to a chain, buy a new one or add a section of chain between 2 master
links.
THERE ARE 3 TECHNIQUES REQUIRED TO BUILD ANY CHAIN:
1) Adding 1 hole, or connecting the male ends of a chain
together.
2) Adding 2 holes, or any even number of holes to a chain.
3) Adding 3 holes, or any odd number of holes to a chain.
Adding 1 hole
The simplest form of chain lengthening consists of adding the "master link"
(one hole) to connect the two ends of the chain. Notice that the "hole" falls
directly over the sprocket tooth.
Adding 2 holes
A bit more complicated as you can see. Notice that there
are now 2 sprocket
teeth between the chain ends in the center of the diagram. If you recall, one of
the basics of chains states that you can only add or remove holes in multiples
of 2. So, you may ask, why can't I just add two holes? Well, look back at the
list
of special parts available for modifying chains. (GO)
Notice that these parts
can add 1, 3, or 4 holes to your chain. So how do we add 2 holes?
There is a solution. What if we were to remove a link (2 holes) from one
end of
the chain. Picture the chain above, with the red
link removed. Notice that you
will now have a total of 4 sprocket teeth (4 holes) remaining between the ends
of the chain. We have a special part that fills exactly 4 holes. ie, the "offset
link"!
Driving or pressing out the chain connecting pins can be
done in a number of
ways, and I'll leave it to you to determine what method best suits your
abilities
and shop facilities. Once the pin is out, that portion of the chain shown in red
(2 holes) is removed and the "offset link" and its two "master links" provide
the exact 4 hole count necessary to complete the chain.
Adding 3 holes
This one's simple! We already have a chain
part able to provide three holes. By
simply adding a "single link" with its associated "master links", we connect the
chain ends and provide the required 3 holes for the sprocket teeth!
Beyond 1,2, and 3 Holes!
If you've followed this entire process from basics through
custom length chains,
you've probably already deduced the following: There are only a few things
you need to know in order to produce a chain of any length. I've pasted the
most important bits of information from this article below for you to review.
*************************************************************************************
THERE ARE 3 TECHNIQUES REQUIRED TO BUILD ANY
CHAIN
1) Adding 1 hole, or connecting the male ends of a chain together.
2) Adding 2 holes, or any even number of holes to a chain.
3) Adding 3 holes, or any odd number of holes to a chain.
NOTE: It is important to remember that once a pin (see
Fig 1) is driven
into place, it cannot be removed AND reinstalled! The reason? When a
pin is driven through the holes of a link connecting plate, the holes are
enlarged and will no longer provide a secure press fit! This fact is
important,
since it plays a role in determining why "single links",
"master links", and "offset links"
are required to achieve specific
chain lengths!
All conventional chains with 2 male ends designed for
joining with a
"master link" will ALWAYS have an
ODD number of "holes" before
the "master link" is added.
A conventional
chain can only be shortened or lengthened in 2 hole
increments! (discounting the master link) That is, you can remove or
add 2, 4, 6, etc.
holes. You can't remove or add 1, 3, 5, etc. holes!
If you discover that you need a chain with
an EVEN number of holes
before the master link is added, or you must shorten or lengthen
a chain by an ODD number of holes, you will need some
special
chain parts. That's next!
The "master link"
This is a female-female connector. As
previously
noted, this connector can be removed and installed
as often as necessary. It adds 1 hole when installed.
The "offset link"
This is a male-male connector. Coupled to the chain
at both ends by a master link, this "offset link" adds
2 holes to the chain in addition to the 2 holes added
by the 2 master links. In total, this adds 4 holes!
The "single link"
This is a male-male connector. Coupled to the chain
at both ends by a master link, this "single link" adds
1 hole to the chain in addition to the 2 holes added
by the 2 master links. In total, this adds 3 holes!
GOOD LUCK!