No Max, as explained to Railbender, I have'nt measured the chain. I don't have a micrometer, and I doubt if I could reliaby extrapolate from a ruler a correct length. I'm just waiting to see what Suzuki, Ek, and Regina say. My supposition is that the Regina was the correct length, and that the EK and DID were not. As to your half-link and cotterpin - I would really like to see a picture of that ... Thanks for your insight.
You measure with a ruler, not a micrometer. You don't just measure one link. You measure the 20-pitch length, which is the length between 21 pins.
The OP is looking at half the length of the adjustment range over the length of the swing arm, ... So let us say 1/2" over 24" ... you could do that with a tape measure! Never mind a micrometer en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micrometer <cite></cite>or a vernier caliper...
9 pages of comments and no ending? WTF Inquiring minds want to know! Tell us notrivia what did the chain companies say? Where are the adjusters on new bikes?
It's not uncommon for people up against major companies and their conspiracies to just disappear or be silenced. He probably sold out.
a brain. if the links of the chain were an improper length pin-to-pin they would not fit the sprockets. if the sprockets were made with large valleys between teeth they wouldn't fit the chain. making a longer chain link to fit a new sprocket tooth profile would COST the manufacturers $ in R&D and cause a host of issues with non-interchangeable parts from one to another. If there's any discrepancy in link sizing it falls either within a tolerance of manufacturer's specs which would fluctuate from one to another, or it falls outside what will fit and people will return them. All of which costs the manufacturer money. I work with tolerances and maximizing profits through "stacking" tolerances all the time. It's not a scheme, it's business and you're crazy if you think new covert specifications have been implemented in 520 chain manufacturing to save steel. It would be a lose-lose.
So the one thing you are not thinking about is the bikes axle to axle wheelbase. The mfgr wants that set to a certain dimension for best handling characteristics. Most bike's adjustment on the swingarm/axle slot ends up in the middle. It is up to you to change that if you want to.
