There are actually two types of links alternating in the bush roller chain. The first type is inner links, having two inner plates held jointly by two sleeves or bushings where rotate two rollers. Internal links alternate with the second type, the external links, comprising two outer plates held together by pins passing through the bushings of the internal links. The “bushingless” roller chain is similar in procedure though not in building; Auto Chain instead of separate bushings or sleeves keeping the inner plates together, the plate has a tube stamped involved with it protruding from the hole which serves the same purpose. This has the advantage of removing one part of assembly of the chain.

The roller chain design reduces friction in comparison to simpler designs, resulting in higher efficiency and less wear. The initial power transmission chain types lacked rollers and bushings, with both the inner and external plates kept by pins which directly contacted the sprocket the teeth; however this configuration exhibited incredibly rapid use of both the sprocket the teeth, and the plates where they pivoted on the pins. This problem was partially solved by the development of bushed chains, with the pins holding the outer plates passing through bushings or sleeves linking the inner plates. This distributed the put on over a greater area; however the tooth of the sprockets still wore quicker than is attractive, from the sliding friction against the bushings. The addition of rollers surrounding the bushing sleeves of the chain and supplied rolling contact with the teeth of the sprockets leading to excellent resistance to wear of both sprockets and chain aswell. There is even suprisingly low friction, so long as the chain is sufficiently lubricated. Constant, clean, lubrication of roller chains can be of principal importance for efficient procedure as well as correct tensioning.