Old school chain, how many links?

[paulb113]

I am getting a 1986 Haro Fst built at the moment and looking to buy a chain for it. the rear freewheel has 18 teeth and I think the chain wheel is 39 teeth.  How many links does it need? Some say 110link others 90link.

thanks 

[That Swan Guy]

I am getting a 1986 Haro Fst built at the moment and looking to buy a chain for it. the rear freewheel has 18 teeth and I think the chain wheel is 39 teeth.  How many links does it need? Some say 110link others 90link.

thanks 

depends how far back you put the rear wheel. 110 will do you fine, you can always take the spare ones off. Nothing worse than being one link short. 90? sure it doesn't say 96. That's the normal amount. 96 or 110.

[paulb113]

Thanks. Seen a KMC one in silver for a tenner plus postage,or is it worth spending a bit more on an Izumi one?

[That Swan Guy]

Thanks. Seen a KMC one in silver for a tenner plus postage,or is it worth spending a bit more on an Izumi one?

If you're going to ride it, probably not.

[Betty]

39/18 will be a bit slack 

[Retrodan72]

Paul what I tend to do is true the rim up to my brake blocks, then push the wheel forward half an inch, them I remove enough links to leave a fairly slack chain. Once linked together and fitted, pull the wheel back to its original position in the dropouts, remembering to centre the wheel whilst doing this.
Your chain should be tight but with a small amount of bounce. Making your chain as tight as possible will destroy your freewheel.

[paulb113]

Joff (NORTY40) and Darren (BADDH) are helping me with the build so they know how to shorten the chain etc, it's been a long time since I had put a bmx together!!

[Badbaldie]

Joff (NORTY40) and Darren (BADDH) are helping me with the build so they know how to shorten the chain etc, it's been a long time since I had put a bmx together!!

Paul them to clowns could'nt sort a jump in a brothel    ....  they,ll just sit around eating pies all day 

[Retrodan72]

If you do it while Joffs there, you will get injured.....FACT!!

[Spen69]

The Dazzler & Joff show's in town eh Paul? I'd have a word about that gearing as it sounds to me like they're building you one of Kappy's clown bikes fella...... You'll be pedalling like a lunatic!

39 on the front = 14 on the back mate...... Not 18

Or 18 on the back = a coping-crunching 49/50 on the front....

Give the pair of simpletons a hug from me will ya

Spen

[BADDH]

 

Paul was never built for speed 


Bad Baldie I am on't third Meyt N Pratur pie at moment ..... How's that sliding down thill on planks going lad   

[Jaypeg]

I divide the number of teeth on my chainring by 2.75 to get the right size freewheel or just go with what spen said as he is correct ...

[paulb113]

Darren is the front 39? I don't want to have to pedal like mad

Where is the best place to get a 14t rear one from?

I don't remember it being so complicated BITD 

Yes ,I was not built for speed even less now as I only have one good leg after a roller skating accident 

[hunterdubber]

39/18 will be a bit slack 

Good for going up Bright street on 

[HEYWOOD BMX]

 You`ll need a cassette or flipflop hub to run a 14t rear cog.
I have an unused 1/8 14T freewheel you can have for cost of post if you want it....

[paulb113]

This is the wheel and freewheel