Changing timing chain
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Changing timing chain
Hi,
It's time to change the timing chain on our tandem.
I've changed many "normal" bike chains, but I just wanted to be sure that my thought of just using two one-speed chains for a timing chain makes sense.
Thanks!
Mark
It's time to change the timing chain on our tandem.
I've changed many "normal" bike chains, but I just wanted to be sure that my thought of just using two one-speed chains for a timing chain makes sense.
Thanks!
Mark
#2
just another gosling
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Before we switched to a belt, we used the same type that we used for the drive chain. That way one repair kit covers everything.
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#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
But the concept that one splices together two normal chains is valid?
#4
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#5
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#6
Junior Member
124 Spider,
I would not use a single speed chain. Under load your boom tube will bow (slightly). Now your timing chain has to flex as it is engaging the rings. Multi-speed chains are made to run like this, single speed are not. There have been reports of single speed chains coming off the timing rings because of this bow/flex of the boom tube that puts the timing rings out of alignment.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
S&S Santana Beyond
When we used a chain, I went to an 8-speed chain because it was cheaper (at the time) than the 9-speed the bike came with. I carried an 8-sp & 9-sp quick link then.
I would not use a single speed chain. Under load your boom tube will bow (slightly). Now your timing chain has to flex as it is engaging the rings. Multi-speed chains are made to run like this, single speed are not. There have been reports of single speed chains coming off the timing rings because of this bow/flex of the boom tube that puts the timing rings out of alignment.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
S&S Santana Beyond
When we used a chain, I went to an 8-speed chain because it was cheaper (at the time) than the 9-speed the bike came with. I carried an 8-sp & 9-sp quick link then.
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Same here, I matched the drive chain so I only had to worry about 1 size quick link for repair, the cost was not much of a factor to me compared to the hassle of dealing with 2 different chain sizes.
#8
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#9
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I've been buying chain by the foot for our recumbent tandem - the timing chain and the main chain are both long.
https://t-cycle.com/collections/chain-in-bulk
https://t-cycle.com/collections/chain-in-bulk
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124 Spider,
I would not use a single speed chain. Under load your boom tube will bow (slightly). Now your timing chain has to flex as it is engaging the rings. Multi-speed chains are made to run like this, single speed are not. There have been reports of single speed chains coming off the timing rings because of this bow/flex of the boom tube that puts the timing rings out of alignment.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
S&S Santana Beyond
When we used a chain, I went to an 8-speed chain because it was cheaper (at the time) than the 9-speed the bike came with. I carried an 8-sp & 9-sp quick link then.
I would not use a single speed chain. Under load your boom tube will bow (slightly). Now your timing chain has to flex as it is engaging the rings. Multi-speed chains are made to run like this, single speed are not. There have been reports of single speed chains coming off the timing rings because of this bow/flex of the boom tube that puts the timing rings out of alignment.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
S&S Santana Beyond
When we used a chain, I went to an 8-speed chain because it was cheaper (at the time) than the 9-speed the bike came with. I carried an 8-sp & 9-sp quick link then.
#11
Junior Member
Mark Johnson, of Precision Tandems, once posted pictures to prove it. In the pictures his timing chain was taunt while they were coasting, and a had a belly on the bottom run as they were peddling.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
2016 S&S Santana Beyond (with an oval coupled boom tube)
#12
Junior Member
Road Fan,
For pictures, go to www.precisiontandems.com scroll down the left side of the home page and click on "Tech Tips" then "Timing Chain Adjustment." Halfway down the page you will see the different pictures, peddling vs. coasting.
Tailwinds,
Charlie
For pictures, go to www.precisiontandems.com scroll down the left side of the home page and click on "Tech Tips" then "Timing Chain Adjustment." Halfway down the page you will see the different pictures, peddling vs. coasting.
Tailwinds,
Charlie