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How To Measure A Motorbike or ATV Chain?

Sep. 24, 2021

Learn how to measure drive chains for powersports vehicles in just a few minutes and you'll never have a problem buying the right size chain again.

 

Understanding motorbike and ATV chains

The chains fitted to motorbikes and ATVs are called roller chains. They consist of individual links, each consisting of two inner plates held in place by two pins. To improve efficiency and reduce wear, each pin passes through a roller that rotates around it. Each link is connected to the next link by two outer plates, thus forming the chain.

 

Most motorbike and ATV chains have O-rings between the inner and outer plates. These O-rings are sealed between the pin and the roller using a factory applied lubricant to protect them from dirt. You will need to decide whether you want to buy an O-ring or a standard chain, but the type you choose will not affect the measurement.

525 Roller Chain

525 Roller Chain

Measuring motorbike and ATV chains

Motorbike and ATV chains are measured by their pitch and width.

 

Pitch: The distance between the centre lines of the two pins forming the link.

Width: The distance between the inner surfaces of the two inner plates forming the link.

 

These measurements are expressed as 3 digits, e.g. 420 roller chain, 525 roller chain or 630roller chain. the first digit represents the pitch and the last two digits the width.

The chain pitch is measured in eighths of an inch. Motorbike and ATV chains have a pitch number of 4, 5 or 6. If the distance between the centre lines of the two pins in the chain link is 4/8 of an inch, the chain pitch number is 4.

 

4 Pitch: 4/8" measured between the pins. Most common on small off-road vehicles and junior ATVs.

5 Pitch: Measured 5/8" between the pins. Most commonly found on dirt bikes, dual sport bikes, street bikes and most ATVs.

6 Pitch: 6/8" measured between the pins. Most commonly found on high horsepower sport bikes.

 

To measure the pitch, place a ruler, tape measure or digital caliper next to the chain and measure between the pins in the individual chain links.

Chain widths are measured in eighths and sixteenths of an inch. Motorbike and ATV chains are numbered 15, 20, 25 or 30. If the distance between the two inner plates in a chain link is 3/8", the chain width is numbered 30.

 

15 Width: Measure 3/16" between the inner plates. 1 means 1/8" wide and 5 means the other half of 1/8" wide, i.e. 1/16". Adding 1/8" and 1/16" gives a total width of 3/8".

20 Width: Measure 2/8" between the inner panels, i.e. 1/2". 2 means a width of 2/8" and 0 means no additional width.

25 Width: Measure 5/16" between the inner panels. 2 means 2/8" wide and 5 means the other half of 1/8" wide, i.e. 1/16". Adding 2/8" and 1/16" gives a total width of 5/16".

30 Width: Measure 3/8" between the inner plates. 3 indicates a width of 3/8" and 0 indicates no additional width.

 

To measure the width, place a ruler, tape measure or digital caliper on the chain and measure between the inside faces of the inner links in a single chain link.

 

WUXI AMC POWER MACHINERY CO., LTD. is located in Wuxi City. AMC is a technology-oriented group, specialized in R&D, manufacturing, sales and service of high quality Bearings, Chains, Gears, Auto Parts, etc.

 

Our bearings are mainly involved in nine categories, three levels of precision and more than 4,000 conventional bearing types. Our company also manufacture stainless steel roller chain and carbon steel roller chain. Also, we possess "AMC", the independent brand of our own. The quality of our products is strictly controlled under the standard of ISO: 9001; 2000.

If you want to know more information about amcpower 525 motorcycle chain, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.  

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