What is the chain length of a standard Falco chain ??

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HowardQ · #1 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:50 pm

Does anybody know what is the standard length of a Falco drive chain.
Need to buy a chain this weekend and most sites I have checked out are telling me it is 108 links, but I don't think this is right. I reckon the Mille is 108 and the Falco is probably 106.
When I had my last chain fitted I went for a larger rear sprocket rather than the more mormal 15T front. My Aprilia dealer told my the shorter Falco one would not quite stretch to suit the larger sprocket so they fitted a 108 link Mille chain and told me I'd have to shorten it down to standard 106 link, when it bedded in and stretched a bit, which I eventually did.
Have now decided to go standard size 41T rear sprocket and 15T front like most of you, and am convinced a 108 will be way too long with one less tooth on the front. Got some very nice Talon sprockets, so won't be buying a kit just the chain.
Any comments ??
Yeh I know I can always shorten it from whatever length and may well do that, but I bought a £50 quid chain breaker/riveting tool a while ago with chocolate pins and one broke the first time I used it.
Have managed to get one new pin and am planning on using the tool this weekend, but not confidenet it will last too long and don't want to use it more than I have to!

finn · #2 Post by **finn** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:09 pm

Im not intending to highjack this one, but i just checked my chain and gave it some lube. the 25mm "slack" tension is that max or recommended? just saw that my chain is so low that it is impacting with the exhaust pipe so i guess i need to have this fixed at the service.

HowardQ · #3 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:19 pm

Can't remember the exact figure Finn, but you don't want much more than that. If it is catching on the exhaust you have a bit too much play.
One thing you really need to check is if the clearance stays constant, if there are various tight spots on the chain and you adjust at one of the slacker points you could cause a breakage. If it has tight spots you really need a new chain.
It's not too difficult to adjust your self. just need to loosen the main axle bolt off enough just to allow movement, then just tighten up one flat at a time on the adjusting nuts. Do one side one flat then the other the same and then check clearance. Repeat as needed, but doing it this way you won't mess up chain alignment.

Firestarter · #4 Post by **Firestarter** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:03 pm

Ken's site says 106, I'm sure that's what I got when I replaced mine recently

Firestarter · #5 Post by **Firestarter** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:13 pm

Talking of chocolate tooling, I didn't use the breaker until I'd ground the heads off of the rivets, so I only used the breaker to push the pins out and rivet the new chain

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:20 pm

Thanks for confirming the 106 length, that's what I thought, although should have known myself it would be on Ken's site. As for the chocolate chain tool, I have always done exactly like you and ground off the end of the rivet first, usually manage it with just a cheap grinding stone on the electric drill. These days I grind it well off on an old chain, cos if you are scrapping the old chain it doesn't matter if you grind half the link away.

finn · #7 Post by **finn** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:46 pm

So, 106 is standard. weird i just found this on louis.de site

APRILIA
10041843 KETTENSATZ DID X-RING
SL FALCO 99- (108/16/41) APRILIA SL 1000 FALCO (ZD4PA)

Falken · #8 Post by **Falken** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:05 pm

Hi Howard, i've also got one of the chocolate chain tools.
The trick is to make sure that the tool is square to the chain, or the pin breaks.

HowardQ · #9 Post by **HowardQ** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:42 pm

finn wrote:So, 106 is standard. weird i just found this on louis.de site

APRILIA
10041843 KETTENSATZ DID X-RING
SL FALCO 99- (108/16/41) APRILIA SL 1000 FALCO (ZD4PA)

I thought 106 is standard Finn but I wasn't sure, as numerous people have quoted me for 108s, so still not 100%. I still think they may be pushing 108s as that is the Mille length so they can sell one to suit all.
I may just buy a longer length one to be sure and shorten it!

finn · #10 Post by **finn** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:15 am

yeah that also my thoughts, and i have a bit more confidence in this forum than the model specific louis page.
anyway, if i require a new chain its the workshop again.

finn · #11 Post by **finn** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:24 am

Is this critic or just normal when the bike have had a 2-3 month layover.

Firestarter · #12 Post by **Firestarter** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:06 pm

Don't think I've ever had a chain looking like that, but that doesn't mean it's not OK. Looks mainly surface stuff to me, the main bit to look at is where the o-rings sit, so long as this looks OK you'll probably find the rest will be fine after a clean & lube

Just been out to mine after about a 3-month layup, there's a little bit of rust on the rollers, but none on the plates

Fausto · #13 Post by **Fausto** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Some of those links look stiff. I would suggest giving the chain a good dose of engine oil and spinning the wheel a bit to allow it to work in to the orings and hopefully it will free up those stiff links.

Check the condition of the o rings as they may be damaged. Next time you lay the bike up oil the chain first and this may be avoided.

finn · #14 Post by **finn** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:02 pm

Found this in the Loius.de catalog.

DID chain

RSV mille/R/SP 98-03 17/42/108 DID525VM
RSV mille 04--- 16/40/106 DID525VM
Falco 99--- 16/41/108 DID525VM

HowardQ · #15 Post by **HowardQ** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:26 pm

I never was 100% sure if it was 106 or 108 links, so ended up buying a standard 120 length chain and will cut it down to suit.