Originally Posted by
robbyville
Me too thanks!
Robert, don't mean to derail the thread but just a quick question... you mention that everything was fine until you checked the chain length. So do most people really just change out the chain before they find any problem? I have over 3k miles on my current chain, was not even thinking of it since all is shifting perfectly, should I be swapping it out? I'm not a super strong guy and don't have a gage available, is it mileage related or strength? If a chain stretches can't you just remove a link or is it more that the chain wears in such a way that it could mess up the other components?
When a chain stretches it is the individual plates that start wearing so the pin to pin pitch is off. Removing a link isn't the problem, it is that the chain pitch becomes longer than the cog pitch and the teeth can't mesh tightly into the chain causing the chain to skate over them. You could check a length of your chain with a measuring tool, but personally I just replace them at 2500-3000 miles and move on.