Sprocket - Opinions

[Mudhen]

I'm in the process of changing my chain/sprockets right now....and have gone with a 17 tooth front on my Steamer (stock is 18 ).  It's my first time ever doing this and I'm wondering about chain sizing...in terms of length.



When I talked to Sprocket Specialists they said, as a general rule, drop a tooth, drop a link in the chain.  They didn't have a listing for my bike (and I needed the stuff asap) so I picked up a Triumph kit...so I'm assuming I got a 114 link chain.  Regardless...I layed it on the bike, set the adjuster so it's as close as possible to the front, and I can't quite get to the next link.  At its present length my adjuster already needs to be just over halfway through the total adjustment range.



Is this how it's done?  Am I missing something?  There's nothing in Haynes about it, so I'm guessing it's one of those things that fall into the category of 'if you need to ask, you should be taking your bike to a real mechanic'...



Thanks

[iansoady]

In the "good" old days you used to be able to get a cranked link (necessary on some bikes) for those in-between chain lengths - I suspect that dropping 1 tooth is putting you in that territory. But I suspect that as they required 2 split links and would be intrinsically weaker than straight links they are at least frowned upon these days, even if they are available.

[Guest]

Why worry where the adjuster is in its range. If the chain fits, use it. If/when it's stretched a bit, then you can extract a link.