Manky Monkey Motors

What size chain do bikes generally use? will it be strong enuf for my reverse trike application,or will I need  summat stronger?

big bikes, 520,530,528 etc,
its not really the size, its the make and strength

It`s mostly about the pitch of your sprockets rod.

awwww beat me to it cabby ;)

ok,I think ve found a sprocket supplier,so will report back when I have a chain size and see what you think.

Rod, As a minimum I would suggest 5/8"x3/8" chain, or 530 in non-"Christian" units, and a good quality version is not cheap, and the same applies to sprockets, I doubt that you will find reasonable quality sprockets for less than £90/100 a pair, Morrag

ok thanks ,Im gradually learning about the black art of Sprocketry!

The more we stray from what we know the more we learn. (not to be applied to minefields etc.)
Sprockets Unlimited have spreadsheets giving sprocket diameters for 1/2" 5/8" & 3/4" pitch chain and other useful info.
As Morrag says go for a quality chain otherwise it'll just stretch and knacker your sprockets. We reckoned on Reynolds chain for least stretch but that was a good few years ago, I expect others here would be able to advise on make.

Reynolds chain is no longer a respected make. The company changed hands some years ago and it's made of cheese ;D
Most makes do a heavy duty chain. I use IWIS motorcross chain. Non O ring. Lasts for yonks.

IWIS or IRIS?

IRIS. Early morning brain fade ;D
Try this guy. Really helpfull.

http://www.the-chain-man.co.uk/

In my racing day's i used D.I.D. or IZUMI Both good brands.

I have used all sorts over the years. Cheap rubbish through to Tsabaki race chain. I guess the real point is that you get what you pay for. It is similar to the oil debate in that everyone has a favorite and that nothing else in their eyes will do. Horses for courses ; ;)

On the subject of chains, does anyone still use chain grease or chain wax as it should be called ?
Once a year, usually before winter, we would clean the chain in paraffin, let it dry thoroughly (petrol if you were in a hurry, drys faster with a match ;))
and soak it in a tin of melted chain wax (yet another use for the oven). Remove the chain and leave to cool on newspaper (or the kitchen towel ).      Made the whole house smell lovely, well i thought so, the wife however, had a slightly different opinion.

LINKLIFE  ;) theres an old tin still on the shelf up at ,wonderland,,

 iris is a good chain if your on a budget, its by far the best of the cheaper brands imo,
used to sell a lot of it...
often ,a non O ring chain quite often has a lower tensile strength for the same size too, so check that
best iv had is EK tbh, its outlasted everything on my 147bhp zrx12,
izumi is good too
i always run a scottoiler on mine,

whatever you do, dont use industrial, constant run chain, its way weaker than bike chain

I used to run my 650 Triumph Bonny on fork lift truck chain when I was a teenager -it was free from the factory I worked in.

I've got a Scott Oiler going free if anyone wants one. It was in the pile of parts that came with my XS when I bought it. No idea how it works or if it's complete, but yours for the cost of the postage if anyone wants it.

Always run our old brits on DID heavy duty chain, acquired from Fords in Dagenham, where a mate worked. We had a whole roll of it at one time  ;) ;) ;) ;)

Back in the days when I had bikes with chains I did try the chain we had at work but it was constantly needing adjusting. In the end I went for Reynolds chain and that did the trick. This was in the days before I ever heard of endless or o ring chains though, dunno how they compare now

manky, if you turn it right up to max, and suck on the pipe in the middle of the cap, you should see the middle lift slightly.

ill have it if no one has asked for it, working or not,

I ain't sucking on that! (as I believe the actress said to the ecclesiastical gentleman). It's been in a tub of gungy old bike parts. so needs a good clean up.
Yours for the cost of the postage. PM me your address & I'll get it in the post to you. 

ok, messaged you,,,thanks

Wrapped up, ready to post to you in the morning.  ;)

cheers, jus pm me how u want paying, and how much,,,,, ;D

Done.

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