Bush Chain Vs Roller Chain: Match The Chain To The Sprocket

It is not enough to consider one chain as a replacement if you only know that one chain is called a bush chain and the other is called a roller chain. What you need to look at when you see a motorcycle rear-wheel drive chain is the base chain number, the complete model, and the sprocket it comes with.

The range given by the standard

ISO 10190:2008 applies to roller chains and sleeve chains and their associated sprockets for motorcycles with pitches from 6.35 mm to 19.05 mm, covering dimensions, tolerances, length measurements, preload, minimum tensile strength and minimum dynamic strength. GB/T 14212-2010 “Technical conditions and test methods for motorcycle chains” is equivalent to this standard, and the source records that this standard remains in effect after the review on July 1, 2025.

For specific vehicles, the specifications of the rear-wheel drive chain must also be confirmed to match the vehicle brand, model, year, and version.

The chain number and model should be viewed together

The basic chain number provides the main dimensions for mating with the sprocket, such as pitch, roller diameter, and inner joint width, but it is not a complete model. Under the same base chain number, the number of links, sealing structure, strength grade, and total width may all differ. The rear-wheel drive chain also needs to confirm the complete product model, connecting links, outer width and applicable grade, and check the original factory chain number, candidate model, number of front and rear sprocket teeth and installation clearance together.

The positions must also be clearly distinguished: the rear wheel secondary drive chain and the engine internal timing chain belong to different positions and cannot be interchanged just because the chain numbers are similar. The specifications of motorcycle chains should not be mixed up.

After installation, the slack, full-week tension changes, rear wheel alignment, chain lines, adjustment allowance, connecting links and dynamic clearance are reviewed according to the vehicle model regulations. The ability of a chain to close or appear static without interference cannot be considered a final qualification.