This paper is dealing with the evaluation of friction in timing chains. Benchmarking friction is based on the experimentally determined friction losses in basic chain drives with transmission ratio i=1. This friction is not including friction losses in bearings. These results should be used, in the simplest manner, in order to evaluate friction in timing chains (i = 2). We are presenting the theoretical approach and experimental validation that have been developed for the timing chain drives, with transmission ratio i = 2. Friction losses are presented as resistant friction torques at the input shaft, depending on input rotational speed and tensioning force in the chain drive.