Hitchcocks Forum

My Lightning 535 is fitted with a 95 pitch Elite drive chain which has lots of side play and is beginning to lift off the rear sprocket. The rear brake anchor looks to be almost at its most forward position (I haven't removed the nut and washer to check exactly how far forward). I was puzzled as to why a seemingly worn chain had so much adjustment left until I realised the bike is fitted with an eighteen tooth front sprocket. Has anyone had experience of fitting a new chain with an 18T front sprocket? Is it better to stick with 95 pitch or would 96 pitch be OK with the bigger sprocket?

I've just found some info on The Yahoo Royal Enfield site which states that the standard chain will fit with the 18T sprocket. The fitment chart on this site agrees. But from what I have in front of me, it does look as things might be a bit tight. My main concern is whether a 96 pitch chain will be too long - I don't intend to run it until it's badly worn.

Although the gearing is stock on my 500 Lightning. I often buy a chain that's longer than required (very often, it's the same price). I just remove the links I don't want.

Yes, but I don't think you can remove one link at a time? So to end up with either an odd or even number of links you have to start with the same.

A couple of split links and a cranked link is all that is required for an odd number of links.