A sprocket is a toothed wheel upon which a chain rides. Contrary to popular opinion, a sprocket is not a gear.
Chains have a surprising number of parts. The roller turns freely on the bushing, which is attached on each end to the inner plate. A pin passes through the bushing, and is attached at each end to the outer plate. Bicycle chains omit the bushing, instead using the circular ridge formed around the pin hole of the inner plate.
Chain types are identified by number; ie. a number 40 chain. The rightmost digit is 0 for chain of the standard dimensions; 1 for lightweight chain; and 5 for rollerless bushing chain. The digits to the left indicate the pitch of the chain in eighths of an inch. For example, a number 40 chain would have a pitch of four-eighths of an inch, or 1/2", and would be of the standard dimensions in width, roller diameter, etc.
The roller diameter is "nearest binary fraction" (32nd of an inch) to 5/8ths of the pitch; pin diameter is half of roller diameter. The width of the chain, for "standard" (0 series) chain, is the nearest binary fraction to 5/8ths of the pitch; for narrow chains (1 series) width is 41% of the pitch. Sprocket thickness is approximately 85-90% of the roller width.
Plate thickness is 1/8th of the pitch, except "extra-heavy" chain, which is designated by the suffix H, and is 1/32" thicker.
| Chain No. | Pitch | Roller Diameter | Roller Width | Sprocket thickness | Working Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1/4" | 0.130" | 1/8" | 0.110" | 140 lbs |
| 35 | 3/8" | 0.200" | 3/16" | 0.168" | 480 lbs |
| 40 | 1/2" | 5/16" | 5/16" | 0.284" | 810 lbs |
| 41 | 1/2" | 0.306" | 1/4" | 0.227" | 500 lbs |
| 50 | 5/8" | 0.400" | 3/8" | 0.343" | 1400 lbs |
| 60 | 3/4" | 15/32" | 1/2" | 0.459" | 1950 lbs |
| 80 | 1" | 5/8" | 5/8" | 0.575" | 3300 lbs |
| Chain No. | Pitch | Roller Diameter | Roller Width | Sprocket thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle, with Derailleur | 1/2" | 5/16" | 1/8" | 0.110" |
| Bicycle, without Derailleur | 1/2" | 5/16" | 3/32" | 0.084" |
| 420 | 1/2" | 5/16" | 1/4" | 0.227" |
| 425 | 1/2" | 5/16" | 5/16" | 0.284" |
| 428 | 1/2" | 0.335" | 5/16" | 0.284" |
| 520 | 5/8" | 0.400" | 1/4" | 0.227" |
| 525 | 5/8" | 0.400" | 5/16" | 0.284" |
| 530 | 5/8" | 0.400" | 3/8" | 0.343" |
| 630 | 3/4" | 15/32" | 3/8" | 0.343" |
| 1. Start by drawing a three radial lines from the center of the blank to the edge, separated by an angle equal to the angle between teeth. |  |
| 2. Draw lines parallel to these lines, at a distance equal to the pitch of the chain. |  |
| 3. A roller will be located at each intersection of the parallel lines and the pitch circle. Draw a circle equal to the roller diameter of the chain. |  |
| 4. Draw lines between the roller centers. |  |
| 5. Draw circles around the roller centers, that pass through the intersection of the other roller and the line between centers. |  |
| 6. The tooth profile is as shown. |  |
The sprocket teeth are usually truncated one chain pitch above the bottom of the seat; this is not shown here. Note that this shape is not the only one that will work - bicycles in particular use various tooth shapes for different circumstances.
Sprockets should be accurately aligned in a common vertical plane, with their axes parallel. Chain should be kept clean and well lubricated with a thin, light-bodied oil that will penetrate the small clearances between pins and bushings.
Center distance should not be less than 1.5 times the diameter of the larger sprocket, nor less than 30 times the chain pitch, and should not exceed 60 times the chain pitch. Center distance should be adjustable - one chain pitch is sufficient - and failing this an idler sprocket should be used to adjust tension. A little slack is desirable, preferably on the bottom side of the drive.
The chain should wrap at least 120° around the drive sprocket, which requires a ratio of no more than 3.5 to 1; for greater ratios, an idler sprocket may be required to increase wrap angle.
© 2003 W. E. Johns