There are actually two types of links alternating in the bush roller chain. The initial type is inner links, having two internal plates held jointly by two sleeves or bushings where rotate two rollers. Internal links alternate with the next type, the external links, comprising two outer plates held jointly by pins passing through the bushings of the inner links. The “bushingless” roller chain is similar in operation though not in structure; instead of individual bushings or sleeves holding 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 step in assembly of the chain.

The roller chain design reduces friction in comparison to simpler designs, resulting in higher efficiency and less wear. The original power transmission chain types lacked rollers and bushings, with both the inner and outer plates kept by pins which straight contacted the sprocket the teeth; nevertheless this configuration exhibited incredibly rapid put on of both sprocket teeth, and the plates where they pivoted on the pins. This issue was partially solved by the advancement of bushed chains, with the pins keeping the outer plates moving through bushings or sleeves linking the internal plates. This distributed the wear over a larger area; however the tooth of the sprockets still wore more rapidly than is desirable, from the sliding friction against the bushings. The addition of rollers around the bushing sleeves of the chain and provided rolling contact with the teeth of the sprockets leading to excellent resistance to wear of both sprockets and chain as well. There is even suprisingly low friction, provided that the chain can be sufficiently lubricated. Continuous, clean, lubrication of roller Leaf Chain chains is certainly of main importance for efficient procedure in addition to correct tensioning.