Did you use a 1/2 link? Isn't a stock chain 94 rollers, each link containing a pair of rollers? Or am I just totally confused? ( wouldn't be the first time!!)I shortened the NOS chain to 93 Links
Cam Chain.. Which one to Use?
You are right, each link does contain a pair of rollers, and when one link is connected to another they share a common roller so 2 Links would have 3 rollers. I was wrong when I said 93 Links and 1 Master Link, I was considering the Master as a link (which I suppose it is) but it just joins the rollers on the chain ends. So I have 94 rollers and 1 Master Link. Counting assembled side plates should equal 94. On the other hand, maybe it's just me that's confused because both the old chain I removed and the NOS chain I bought are longer than the specification limits say. George Just a thought, but how did you measure the chain? If I recall properly they're measured from pin center to pin center, not the overall length, which can make a considerable difference. I just measured my new chain and the overall length is near what your saying yours is. If you measure pin center to pin center you should be in specifications.
63 CA78
I measured the chain (s) with the master link installed on one end, so I measured from the center of the unused shaft of the master link to the center of the roller hole on the other end of the chain (from the center of the master link shaft to the center of where it connects). 94 links including the master. Old Chain: 28.875" 733.425mm NOS Replacement Chain: 28.813" 731.850mm Specification Limit: 28.66" 728mm As my wife's father used to say when something didn't work out as expected: "Damn... Cut it 3 Times and it's STILL TO SHORT!!" :-) George Try again without the master link, you've essentially added one link. Measure hole center to hole center. On paper you can take your figures, divide by 95, then multilpy by 94 and you have both chains within specifications. I grant you that the way you measured is the length of the chain installed, which would seem logical, but just isn't the way it's done. 63 CA78
Ok, I did remeasure my old chain with the Master Link removed (hole to hole) and it's 28.531" 724.68mm which is under the Limit of 28.66" 728mm. I never checked or counted chain links before because I always ordered by part number and they always fit, but I figured that the number of side plates is what would be the link count. Now with the Master Link removed I have 94 rollers and 93 side plates (the ML would have been the 94th plate) so this would say that the link count is determined by the roller count.... interesting. So as for my cam chain, if I were going to my local chain store to order a #219 chain, would I be asking for a 93 or 94 link chain (assuming I already had a master Link for it), or if I was ordering a "Endless" chain would the link count still be the same? I know this probably sounds like dumb questions, but I bought a NOS chain when I didn't need to because I was measuring wrong, and I just want to understand this so I don't repeat it in the future. tnx George It's not a common size chain, so that's why NOS is the best choice. Usually you order a chain by length and pitch (the 219 being the pitch.) The number of rollers is what's important in this case, as that is what engages the sprockets. I suppose counting pins would amount to the same thing.
As far as measuring an endless chain, Honda didn't use an endless chain, so the measurement wouldn't apply. I can see the confusion, as a matter of fact I confuse myself thinking about it! Installing a new chain on an overhaul is a good safety measure, even if the old chain is in specifications. 63 CA78
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