Rear chain ???

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Sandrooney
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Rear chain ???

#1

Post by Sandrooney »

What pitch and length rear chain do I need for my 49 ?
Thanks,
SR.
RUBONE
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Re: Rear chain ???

#2

Post by RUBONE »

Standard chain is #530 and 102 links. i usually get them a bit longer (106) and cut to fit in case there is a big tranny sprocket on.
Sandrooney
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Re: Rear chain ???

#3

Post by Sandrooney »

Thanks RUBONE , I have a 23 front sprocket and a 51 rear. I don't know what stock is.
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Re: Rear chain ???

#4

Post by 58flh »

SR---if your trans is a 23/24 tooth A 102-link of 530-chain will do!/Your primart is 82 links.Dont get o-ring chain///buy Diamond for both & keep them WELL OILED!--They or any non o-ring chain if lubed properly will give great service.--now a $20 rear chain is just that! a $20 rear chain.Befor you install your chains MELT GREASE-(wheel-bering)-in a hot plate or propane unit until it gets loose & flowee.Put your chains in there for 20-min & stir every 5-minits.This gets all the grease where it belongs INSIDE the plates & ROLLERS!.Hang them on a nail /let drip overnite & cool off /Now wipe with clean rags & install.Spin them & wope again /Go for a ride.ENJOY!---YES ot will make cleaning the rear left side tire a bitch/BUT I rather do that then keep buying chains.Remember if there not wet there already no good!.----Respectfully----RICHIE
Sandrooney
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Re: Rear chain ???

#5

Post by Sandrooney »

Thanks Richie . Why not an o-ring chain ?
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Re: Rear chain ???

#6

Post by 1962FLH »

O-ring chains are wider then a stock chain and may hang on the chain guard tab. O-ring chain has several times the rolling resistance of a diamond chain. This robs your bike of usable horse power. You may say not enough to worry about but I say why pay more to get less? Every time I work on bike that includes adjustment of rear wheel and before I let the bike down I always grab the tire and give it a good spin and see how long it takes the wheel to stop. Try this with O-ring chain.

John
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Re: Rear chain ???

#7

Post by Robert Luland »

So let me get this straight John, The o-ring chain is a horse power robber. So where did you get this information? Do you have a dino table in your garage. Where talking about a Panhead here. Every super bike on the road has a o-ring chain on it. Robbing your horse power, I don't think so. Bob L
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Re: Rear chain ???

#8

Post by 1962FLH »

Bob no I do not have a dyno; my test is simple man power and observation. I said it’s not much HP loss but the O-ring chain does have more rolling resistance. Try it yourself, this is what I did; grab the back tire and give it a spin when bike is on the lift. With O-ring chain it stops right away but with a diamond chain it spins several revolutions. See it’s not much; but it there.

John
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Re: Rear chain ???

#9

Post by Bigincher »

Sandrooney wrote:Thanks Richie . Why not an o-ring chain ?
O-ring chains have an o-ring that seals grease into the inside of the roller/pin. But they still need lube on the outside of the rollers. I use as a spray that is designed for just that use. It would not be wise to use the hot-grease method as described in the Service Manual on an o-ring chain.
I have an o-ring chain on my shovelhead, and it's great. There's not enough clearance on my rigid pan/knuck, or I would run one on it, too. So it's a regular chain. There's nothing wrong with an o-ring chain, in fact they require less maintenance than a standard chain, and need adjusting far less frequently.
No matter which chain you use, they both need regular maintenance.
Sandrooney
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Re: Rear chain ???

#10

Post by Sandrooney »

I have run o-rings on all my shovels and on my 52 (AM Frame) and 54 (OEM Frame) with no issues. It doesn't look like I would have any clearance issues on my 49. I used oil for o-ring chains. Thanks for the help.
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