chain pitch!

[ovlovder]

So, recently I have seen folks refering to chain roller width (520 525 530) as chain pitch.

Correct me If I'm wrong. But motorcycle chain is all(mostly) 5/8" pitch. Meaning there is 5/8ths of an inch distance from the center of one pin to the next.

[zapitbullseye]

Don't know how they actually measure them, but the different sizes are actually the width of the chain, not the length from pin to pin. I have a 2005 Ninja 250 with a 520 chain, a 1990 Hawk GT with a 525 chain, and just recently sold a 2001 Triumph Sprint RS with a 530 chain. They all have the same length from pin to pin, but much wider as the # goes up. Hope this helps.

[ovlovder]

[joel]

The three digit number for a chain comes from :
First is the pitch of the chain , the distance between pin centerlines , in 1/8's of an inch.
Second is the roller diameter in 1/8's of an inch
Last is used to indicate a special exception, 0 indicating a standard
configuration.
eg: a 530 chain has 5/8" pitch with 3/8" rollers .

Clear as mud?

[PaullyBoy]

So whats the true difference between a stock 525 on a hawk and an aftermarket 520? I already have the 520 on my bike cause I needed a new chain and wanted to add some teeth to the rear sprocket.

[Doc]

I think 520's are lighter. (We use them on the racebikes)

[PaullyBoy]

I kinda thaugt that. But I mainly got it for the price and it was shipped to my door.

[NT696]

So whats the true difference between a stock 525 on a hawk and an aftermarket 520?

Like zapitbullseye said, the difference is only the width. 520's are lighter only because the pins and rollers are shorter. The sideplates are identical. Both chains are rated for 3,200lbs of load before they break. The width between the inner plates on a 520 is 6.38mm [0.251"] and 7.95mm [0.313"] for the 525. 530's are rated for 3,600lbs and are 9.52mm [0.375"] between inner plates. All have a pitch of 15.875mm [0.625"] and a roller diameter of 10.16mm [0.400"], as well as a bearing pin diameter of 5.30mm [0.208"].
-From an x-ring chain chart in an industrial catalog.

[SpeedyR]

here's a chart that shows some of the details:



and if you want more explanation:

http://victorylibrary.com/brit/chain-c.htm

[PaullyBoy]

Thanks for all the info.

[JR]

The second and third digits combine for roller width, but a decimal point is inserted between the second and third digits.

For example, a 420 chain has a pitch (distance between the pins) of 4/8" = 1/2" (12.70mm) and a roller width of 2.0/8" = 1/4" (6.35mm).

A 520 chain has a pitch of 5/8" (15.88mm) and a roller width of 2.0/8" = 1/4" (6.35mm)

A 525 chain has a pitch of 5/8" (15.88mm) and a roller width of 2.5/8" (7.94mm).