Primary chain length

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Raytag
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Primary chain length

#1

Post by Raytag »

Just wanted to clarify what length of primary chain I must use:

The KB says 80 links for a 22t motorsprocket.
82 links for a 22t is too long ?


Thanks
Ray

51 Pan FL
clutch basket 37t
tin primary
nifty
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Re: Primary chain length

#2

Post by nifty »

Hi Ray
I thought someone would have helped you before this
I can't help you much

The 61-76 parts book lists 2 primary chains and states one is for 22T motor sprocket, but no data re link count

The 41-54 parts book lists:
40007-36 Front chain, 82 links --1937 to 1954--61", 74" & 80" twins (Solo).
40009-36 Front chain, 80 links SV --1937 to 1954--61", 74" & 80" sidecars

22T motor sprocket normal for sidecar, are you running a sidecar?

BTW can run a late type flat sideplate chain in tin primaries, but can’t run an early chain with waisted sideplates in alum primaries with tensioner shoe.

Nifty
Raytag
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Re: Primary chain length

#3

Post by Raytag »

Nifty,

I`m going to hook up the sidecar in a foreseeable future.

The only hint I found was in the long version of the OEM parts list where it says
40008-36 (82 links solo)
40009-36 (80 links sidecar)

Although the manual speaks of a 20t motorsprocket with sidecar attached.
I will find out and let you know.
May take some weeks cause I`m still enjoying favorable weather overhere.

Yesterday I ordered a straight-shaped 80link from Tsubaki

Some useless information:
This morning I talked to an industrial "chain-man"
Generally he recommends straight side plates. Not those figure 8 sideplates
With even numbered links anyway: Quiter, less wear and they don`t eat up fast any tensioner if in use.

Acc to the specs I provided (80links: 425 1/2” x 5/16” x 8.51 x 2) he made me an offer for a 5 meter long chain for 90 bucks
Incl 4 masterlinks strength 31KN

I questioned him about the master-links cause the chain will spin with 4000rpm and he replied the industry wouldn`t manufacture them unless
they believe in them. Timing chains in cars using master links. Anyway , they do calculate with speed (m/sec) not rpm

In a perfect world ... 1000 hours isn`t a problem ... with a tensioner of course
His calculations showed some 20m/sec speed which demands >12 oildrops/minute.
20m/sec is the max speed for any chain. Interesting. Every chainsaw is faster
12 drops/min ? That would result in a big puddle LOL.
The problem is the lubrication, incl many other factor.
But we all know that.

Ray
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Re: Primary chain length

#4

Post by panhead_kicker »

Raytag wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 9:41 am Just wanted to clarify what length of primary chain I must use:

The KB says 80 links for a 22t motorsprocket.
82 links for a 22t is too long ?


Thanks
Ray

51 Pan FL
clutch basket 37t
tin primary
Ray, I dealt with this a while back. The answer to my issue was to flip over the chain adjuster shoe to allow use of a tight fitting 80 link on a 22 tooth. You of course won't have the shoe to deal with, but you'll probably need to move your tranny all the way forward. In my case, 82 links was indeed too long, even with adjustment to the max. A different sized mainshaft sprocket will impact fit too. Read this link:
https://www.hydra-glide.net/phpBB3/view ... hp?t=16836
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Re: Primary chain length

#5

Post by RooDog »

Ray....
What sprocket is on the transmission? As small as 20T is available....
Mongrel505558
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Re: Primary chain length

#6

Post by Mongrel505558 »

I changed the motor sprocket on my '68 from 23T to 24T. Before that I had the tensioner upside-down to take up some slack, but even then I couldn't get the right adjustment. With the 24T I'm running the tensioner right-side-up.
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Re: Primary chain length

#7

Post by nifty »

Call me a girl, but I'm not brave enough to run a spring clip joiner link on primary chain.
The thought of failure at high RPM and wadded up chain escaping next to my left foot, makes my blood run cold.
Correctly rivetted link, on cut your own, quality, solid-roller chain, I'm up for.
Nifty
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Re: Primary chain length

#8

Post by RUBONE »

nifty wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:13 am Call me a girl, but I'm not brave enough to run a spring clip joiner link on primary chain.
The thought of failure at high RPM and wadded up chain escaping next to my left foot, makes my blood run cold.
Correctly rivetted link, on cut your own, quality, solid-roller chain, I'm up for.
Nifty
All the early dual chains used by H-D had master links available and were commonly used. Every WR had a master link, no other way for the range of sprockets needed and regularly swapped. With a range from 17-34 teeth no chain was available. Same for Big Twin hillclimbers and TT bikes.
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Re: Primary chain length

#9

Post by nifty »

RUBONE wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:48 am
nifty wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:13 am Call me a girl, but I'm not brave enough to run a spring clip joiner link on primary chain.
The thought of failure at high RPM and wadded up chain escaping next to my left foot, makes my blood run cold.
Correctly rivetted link, on cut your own, quality, solid-roller chain, I'm up for.
Nifty
All the early dual chains used by H-D had master links available and were commonly used. Every WR had a master link, no other way for the range of sprockets needed and regularly swapped. With a range from 17-34 teeth no chain was available. Same for Big Twin hillclimbers and TT bikes.
What kind of skirt would you like me to wear?
Nifty
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Re: Primary chain length

#10

Post by RUBONE »

nifty wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 1:05 am
RUBONE wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:48 am
nifty wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:13 am Call me a girl, but I'm not brave enough to run a spring clip joiner link on primary chain.
The thought of failure at high RPM and wadded up chain escaping next to my left foot, makes my blood run cold.
Correctly rivetted link, on cut your own, quality, solid-roller chain, I'm up for.
Nifty
All the early dual chains used by H-D had master links available and were commonly used. Every WR had a master link, no other way for the range of sprockets needed and regularly swapped. With a range from 17-34 teeth no chain was available. Same for Big Twin hillclimbers and TT bikes.
What kind of skirt would you like me to wear?
Nifty
Maybe that little blue one with the tassels you wore for New Years before!! :lol: :lol:
Raytag
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Re: Primary chain length

#11

Post by Raytag »

Thanks panhead_kicker
RooDog wrote: Sat Sep 03, 2022 5:08 pm Ray....
What sprocket is on the transmission? As small as 20T is available....
I will begin my hack-career with this ratio
Motor 22
Clutch 37
Trans 22
Rear 51

Ray
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Re: Primary chain length

#12

Post by Andygears »

nifty wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:13 am Call me a girl, but I'm not brave enough to run a spring clip joiner link on primary chain.
The thought of failure at high RPM and wadded up chain escaping next to my left foot, makes my blood run cold.
Correctly rivetted link, on cut your own, quality, solid-roller chain, I'm up for.
Nifty
I have witnessed, but not experienced, a snapped primary chain, an idiot with little mechanical skill left it way too loose. It packed up and exploded the aluminum primaries on a later cone shovel. I and a couple others were riding with, somewhat behind, him and he was showing off.

But my point is, at Brown &Sharpe years ago, I was taught that large cylindrical grinders were always fitted with steel guards, not cast iron, due to the energy absorbing malleability of steel rather than cast. So if you have tin primaries, you should be OK!

Andygears
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Re: Primary chain length

#13

Post by RooDog »

As a young idiot, I am an older one now, I once ran an open primary chain. The aluminum Anderson foot peg came loose and wedged itself in the chain, and locked up the engine, but did not break the chain. A lesson learned. When I see the current crop of hipster bike builders with open chain drive primaries, I just shake my head and walk away. Mr Murphy*, and experience, may show them the error in their ways.
....RooDog....

* Google search: "Murphy's Law".
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Re: Primary chain length

#14

Post by Hogey »

RooDog wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 1:24 pm As a young idiot, I am an older one now, I once ran an open primary chain. The aluminum Anderson foot peg came loose and wedged itself in the chain, and locked up the engine, but did not break the chain. A lesson learned. When I see the current crop of hipster bike builders with open chain drive primaries, I just shake my head and walk away. Mr Murphy*, and experience, may show them the error in their ways.
....RooDog....

* Google search: "Murphy's Law".
ROO I DONT THINK THEY RIDE FAR. :lol:
Raytag
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Re: Primary chain length

#15

Post by Raytag »

Currently messing with this stuff ....

With a 22t motor sprocket you need a primary chain with 82 links.
80 is much too short
With 82 links and thi 22t motor sprocket you still have enough room to adjust on the transplate

With a 22t trans sprocket the 102 drive chain will become too long.
With a 24t trans sprocket the 102 drive chain will fit but you don`t have much room to adjust in future

No really sure what I should think about this PBI 22t trans sprocket ?
Looks they used a roughing endmill.
Yes, you can feel it.
It fits perfect on the main drive gear though

Ray
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