Bicycle Mechanics - Chain length

Im having some problems finding long chains, i currently have a 116 link chain on a 1987 kuwahara panther which has really long chain stays am i gonna have to buy two chains or does shimano/sram make some in longer lengths pretty much all ive been able to find is 116-118 links

I doubt you'll find one long enough. When I started in the bike business chains were typically sold with 116 links, which later went to 114, and many today are only 112. The bet thing you can do is find someone who rides a tandem or recumbent, and partner up to buy matched chains, and split them. They also need multiple chains, and always have short lengths to spare.

You might go the other way and partner with someone riding a 3/32" fixie. He won't need 112 links, and can spare you a few inches.

Or you might make a buy of multiple chains, keeping spares for the future, so that you'll be able to always make up your chain with identical extensions.

Im having some problems finding long chains, i currently have a 116 link chain on a 1987 kuwahara panther which has really long chain stays am i gonna have to buy two chains or does shimano/sram make some in longer lengths pretty much all ive been able to find is 116-118 links

Edit: oops I thought you were looking to just replace the 116 link chain, Are you looking for a 116 link chain? It looks like there are plenty online...

If you need a really long chain:
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10053&langId=-1&catalogId=10052&productId=175396&cm_mmc=$(referrer)$-_-Bike%20Parts-_-Nashbar-_-NS-RLC8-BASE&CSE=GooglePS&mr:trackingCode=E21F1C95-1282-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Edit: You can probably split that tandem chain and the leftover might fit another bike.

Are you sure you need that long of a chain? If the chain is long enough to wrap around the big chainring/big cog + 2 links then it should be good.

But I know what you mean about long chainstays on older bikes. It certainly is possible you need a longer chain.

Call around to shops and see if they have any spare 6/7/8 sp links leftover... most chain replacements in shops wind up leaving a few links left over and the shop might give them to you or sell them for very cheap if you buy a new chain from them.

Are you sure you need that long of a chain? If the chain is long enough to wrap around the big chainring/big cog + 2 links then it should be good.

But I know what you mean about long chainstays on older bikes. It certainly is possible you need a longer chain.

Call around to shops and see if they have any spare 6/7/8 sp links leftover... most chain replacements in shops wind up leaving a few links left over and the shop might give them to you or sell them for very cheap if you buy a new chain from them.
Yeah im sure i need a longer chain i cant even go big up front and big in back the derailleur wont travel far enough, I didn't think about asking LBS if they have any left over im gonna try that today thanks

This place sells recumbent length chains. http://www.hostelshoppe.com/
They buy them in bulk and cut them to length. They offer two sizes on thier web site but a call to them might get you exacly what you need.

You can join up leftover ends to extend a standard chain. I would recommend sticking to SRAM and using a SRAM powerlink to do the connecting.

I wouldn't trust the length you have. I would remove the chain and then use the chain to measure how much you need. You may find you need a shorter chain. You put the chain around the 2 biggest gears and then add 1 complete link (2 pieces of chain).

Some bike shops sell chains by the foot and some will keep extra lengths around from shorter lengths. Call around.

Just visit a shop that keeps 75M boxes of chains for shop use...they will set you up super quick!


=8-)