Hitchcocks Forum

I seem to have a lot of slack on the primary chain on my flying flea I've measured it at 22mm. the Hitchcocks book says 1/4" to 3/4", should I invest in a new chain.

I think I would go for a new chain. 22mm is almost 1 inch..

Sounds almost like too many links or perhaps you are missing the tensioner. If it's chain stretch it's massive.

Early morning here so excuse my muddleheadedness. It's 22 mm slack not overlap! New chain mos def!

You have a running Flea, wish I could achieve that and it has about 22mm chain slack

I've never understood exactly how to measure - does one measure it slack or by pulling the chain? I know that on my Bullet primary I can add 5-8mm to the measurement just by pulling the chain down then up. I suppose the force needed squishes the oil+muck out from the roller - but that must happen in normal service? ChrisD

Thanks to all, the replies have given me the answer to what I thought, Norm, its not running yet its all in a box but not long. I'm off to the Hitchcock's shop for a new one.

Steve, sounds just like mine, I wouldn't bother about the chain yet, I would get it running first. I have one in several boxes of bits and one ready to go if I could just get the flywheel off because I think it has moved on the shaft. It will sort of start , splutter a bit and that is about it. At least it entertains the boys first time when they come over, because the first thing they say when they see it is "can I start it", my reply is always "please do"