Here's my problem. my e-84 ironhead needs a new chain we have established this,she's a hardtail chain I took off was 108 link the stretch was right at one inch.Old one was a diamond,I have found 108's online good price(debrix) got both diamond and tsubaki.Now heres the problem,my oil tank sets just in front of rear tire close I MEAN CLOSE like one inch maybe I hav'nt had any problem but the guy I bought her from said on long trips rear tire would swell and rub against oil tank I have changed the tire from HDS classic MT 90 16 to Dunlop D-401 130/90/16 when I bought her with no rubbing problem.Should I go with the 108 assuming little or no stretch risking the rubbing or get the 110 that the book says I should use if so can I grind the pin and remove links to shorten the chain if needed?

thanks in advance

Kelly

 

i would go longer then shorten where needed

 

I a previous post you talked about going to a 23 tooth Trans sprocket, Did you? Do you want to?

If your bike has a hardtail the "book" chain length is of little help.

If you went from 21 to 23 that is 2 more links you will need to keep the same spacing between your tire and fender. Plus if you had 1 inch stretch old chain and had rubbing when was adjusted you need at least 1 link for that.

108+2 = 110 links.

Your if you get a new 108 chain it should have a master link on it. It will look like the last link in the photo below. If you don't change your trans sprocket just add the master link from you old sprocket and test it out. If it works get a new master link and your good to go. Running 2 masters is not a problem. If you changed the sprocket or will soon get a get the 110 and go from there.

I don't think having a chain two link longer that what you had before will be a problem as you can always move your rear wheel back.

Pat

 

i agree 100% go with the longer one then shortin' if need be.

 

As always,thanks you guys. I am going to a 23 tooth ,as Hog asked so looks like thhe 110 is my answer.
thanks,again.
Kelly,

 

only thing is, in order to run 2 master links, you need to have the part of the link with the rollers to go in between them, and if that's the case, why not just get the next size chain up??