A method for providing a link-plate chain having increased strength by stretching the chain between a pair of spaced, rotatable conical pulleys, wherein the link-plate chain is stretched in opposite directions of rotation of the conical pulleys. The opposite stretching operations impart deformation forces on at least the link-plates and/or rocker pressure pieces that interconnect link plates of the link-plate chain. The deformation forces cause parts of the chain to undergo plasticization regions of the chain components and that result in increased chain strength.