I need to replace the chain on my wife's 1986 883XLH. My problem is she bought the bike used, last year, and when I got it checked over and inspected the guy told me he had to remove a link and the chain really needed replaced, so currently there are 106 links, plus the master link. Does anyone know how many links I need and are there any issues with installing a good 0 ring chain with cover or anything? I'm not sure if anyone else removed links prior to this.

Glad to see some other early Evo Sporties in the forum. Most of the peoples here have newer or older. I usualy buy 120 link chains and two spare masterlinks, cut off the exess chain, snap the two master links one on each end of the chain and throw this in a saddlebage for roadside emergencies along with a chain breaker.Heck after changing a few chains you have a spair chain full of masterlinks. I tried an O ring chain once and did not like it. I can not remember what tire I had on the bike but there was such a close tolerance to the tire that at highway speeds the cain rubbed on the tire, had to put different spacers in. Also a buddy of mine with a lowrider had his chain break on him at speed limet. The exra space plus mass does not fly through the sprokets and behind you like a steel snake. NO it piles around your sproket and breaks really expensive things. For a high miles tough chain, Try a nickel plated chain. Pricey but in the long run well whorth the extra dollars spent

You really cannot go by a certain number of links. Buy a chain that is definitely too long by at least a few links, then do a temporary install to see how many to cut out, then cut them out and install the master link. You will need some special tools for this job.

Do your temp install with the rear wheel as far forward as possible. Use a plastic wire tie as part of your temp install.

First and only time i did this i cut the chain ONE LINK TOO SHORT in my attempt to have it the correct length. Damn! Had to buy another master, remove a middle link from the cut-off part, and go from there.

Yep. Buy a chain with 120 links and cut it shorter. My indy stocks only 120 link chains as it will fit 99% of all bikes. I would go fot the stringest chain avaiable for your bike as a broken chain does nasty things to your bike and yourself.

120 Links, I use O'ring, after 50,000 k's mine is due for renewal. Also get new sprockets as well, don't use a new chain with old sprockets.

If you are ever in an emergency where your chain breaks and there are no motorcycle shops around or you are short of funds and need to get home you can use a #50 chain from a hardware or agriculure store for a short period of time. Just remember that a 50 chain is a little closer between the links than a 530 and prolonged use well really eat your sprokets. and yes it does pay to change spockets with the chain. the little wear that you think is on the spockets is just enough to cause gearlash with the chain and you may not get the same amount of miles from your next chain