Replacing chain

A

AngieMc

Retro Newbie
Hi,

I don't remember having so much choice when replacing a chain when in my youth. Sure I just went into a shop and picked one up.

Now, I have a 114 link chain on a 6 speed to replace. Trawled eBay but I can only find 116 link lengths.

I found the attached but haven't heard of them or the "inner plate chamferring'. Sounds painful.

Can I buy a Shimano 116 link length with a connecting pin and take two links out? Or is the attached suitable?

I've stripped down, cleaned and am ready to rebuild an Orbit Gold Medal. I have a large Tupperware full of shiny bits I've cleaned and a book showing me how to put it back together 🤣. Always wanted to learn and this is my first go.
 

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KMC are good chains and there are a lot of fake Shimano chains around so be careful. Yes you can just take 2 links out if you need to, but check how it all looks when you put the chain on before taking links out. You might not need to.
Good luck with the rebuild.
 
winjohn said:
KMC are good chains and there are a lot of fake Shimano chains around so be careful. Yes you can just take 2 links out if you need to, but check how it all looks when you put the chain on before taking links out. You might not need to.
Good luck with the rebuild.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll go with the KMC as seems the right fit without any change needed. Is the "chamferring' anything to consider?
 
A 6 speed set up is hardly at the leading technological edge of things and I would put the "chamfering" down in the marketing BS category, although I have no personal experience and am just guessing. :D
 
AngieMc said:
Sometimes we need all the help we can get ☺️.
Click to expand...
And some of us more than others (me, I mean me).

6 speed is pretty "robust" suspect you'll not need to change the cassette (freewheel).
2 Links is close enough to an inch different, assuming it was right before, you should just about get away with it. If its to long a chain splitter is cheap (as chips before they became expensive).
 
I hope the chain ordered is an exact fit. I split the original chain but lost the pin to rejoin it. I hope it all runs true when put back together as I don't have the tool to take off the free wheel. I've given it a good clean whilst still on the wheel and it's come up very nice.

I have a cheap £25 Raleigh where I will experiment with taking off and replacing the cassette once I work out which tool I need, pity they're not universal. It won't matter as much if I lose all the spacers, bearings or whatever 🤣.
 
If the original was 114 links and the new one is the same and you have not changed the freewheel, rear mech or chainrings then it will fit.

There is pretty much one freewheel tool for 95% of freewheels out there but those freewheels can end up being on damn tight, I usually find a bench vice is necessary to grip the tool so you can use both hands on the wheel for maximum leverage.

For a cassette you will need a different tool (again 95% of cassettes use the same tool ) and a chainwhip but they are generally easier to remove.

Youtube is your friend, as I am sure you have found out.
 
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