Do I need to worry about timing chain stretch? The chain measures 12 1/8 from rivet to rivet.

What do these chains cost? Where do you get them? Does the LBS commonly carry them or do you need to order them from a specialty store?

I believe it is a standard chain, yes you should worry about it stretching like any other chain on you're bike. Since when it stretches it can ruin the chain rings on our tandem.

It is just standard chain, and it will strech and wear. But you dont need to change it as often as the drive chain. The chain and gears will wear together, just adjust the chain to take up the slack. You can also turnover the chainrings on the timing chain to get more use from them.

Some additional fodder on timing chains:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32267

Flipping over chain rings:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33866

Also some stuff on crank phasing and eccentrics:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33892

Ours kept falling off because it was so loose. Took the bike to the LBS and they tightened the cam that controls the chain tightness. No problems now.

I know it is standard chain, but it is so long that at least two lengths of standard chain would be required to make into one. This means two attachment links or Shimano splicing pins. Not that this is a big deal, but do tandem specialty stores sell a chain that is longer and doesn't require splicing?

Originally posted by Steve Katzman
I know it is standard chain, but it is so long that at least two lengths of standard chain would be required to make into one. This means two attachment links or Shimano splicing pins. Not that this is a big deal, but do tandem specialty stores sell a chain that is longer and doesn't require splicing?

Many of your larger bike shops and tandem dealers buy chain in bulk, that is by the spool, which would allow them to sell you a timing chain that has only one master link. Last time I visited Tandems Limited in Birmingham (www.tandemsltd.com) I seem to recall that Jack had a large spool of KMC chain but I'm not sure which dealers stock which brands and models of chains in bulk. For that you'd need to check around.

You may also want to try recumbent shops for the bulk chain. I just buy Sram chains and use the Power Links to connect the chains, I have never had a link pull apart on any of my bikes.

I finally took the tandem to the shop today. They looked at the timing chain and decided that it was stretched, but I should only need the tension adjusted, not the entire chain replaced. There was very little wear on the cogs, so we won't flip those yet.

I was surprised they didn't want to replace the timing chain, but they said since it doesn't shift, it wasn't as crucial of a replacement.