HarleyTechTalk

UHMW is good stuff. Strong, but not brittle.


I ordered an RK from Phil, it'll go in the bike when I pull the transmission soon.

FWIW, I have never seen a Stock Chain installed properly break in 32 years of turning wrenches.

I have seen people change the chain and sprocket (larger) that has broken. I think that company went out of business. They advertised lower RPM at Higher Speeds. However, there are still some Kits out there which I have no experience to speak of. And, also seen them after a lock-up because of broken tensioner Shoes.

And, I have seen at least one where the Gears were not properly aligned that was soon to break. I had to pull the Cover because the metal had blocked the drain hole. That was the only warning sign prior to discovery. He failed to set it up with the correct Shim. About 10,000 miles on it and also said he felt a vibration on the Service Order.

Maybe group buy of chains and have them Cryo treated. ?

Quote from: N-gin on March 12, 2018, 11:18:35 PM
Maybe group buy of chains and have them Cryo treated. ?

My solution was to eliminate the damn thing completely. Mind you, I've never had an issue with primary chains on any HD I've had from knuckle , pan and TC softail.
Ron

My reason for getting the RK chain was because the Diamond chain has stretched beyond what the factory chain did. I bought the Diamond when I upgraded to the Evo Industries clutch basket and shifts to neutral become a hunting mess. Way too much slack with no room for adjustment. I'm just trying to play it safe is all.

I happened across this video of a primary chain coming apart, caused damage in the primary, could be worse. Also the guy notes that what appears to be an OEM clutch hub has been welded up a few times. Also looks like a solid motor sprocket in use. Chain looks to be a Diamond.

Good thing I'm changing primary ratio, and going back with stock 46 tooth basket, and an RK chain. The Diamond will be coming out.




https://www.facebook.com/spencer.cycle/videos/2050887211826364/

No commenting on the bike in the vid but solid engine sprocket has to be harder on everything behind it for most applications.

Well, that's why I mentioned it. If you do ride a bike lugging with a solid sprocket, it sure to create a lot more solid impact pulses on the primary components. If the revs are kept up, then not so much an issue. I have no idea how that bike in the video is ridden, but I imagine hard.

Quote from: PIRSCH FIRE WAGON on March 12, 2018, 10:39:11 PM
FWIW, I have never seen a Stock Chain installed properly break in 32 years of turning wrenches.

I have seen people change the chain and sprocket (larger) that has broken. I think that company went out of business. They advertised lower RPM at Higher Speeds. However, there are still some Kits out there which I have no experience to speak of. And, also seen them after a lock-up because of broken tensioner Shoes.

And, I have seen at least one where the Gears were not properly aligned that was soon to break. I had to pull the Cover because the metal had blocked the drain hole. That was the only warning sign prior to discovery. He failed to set it up with the correct Shim. About 10,000 miles on it and also said he felt a vibration on the Service Order.

"Potty mouth" happens. This is the second time for me.

Quote from: jam65 on March 12, 2018, 08:11:39 PM

Quote from: jam65 on February 28, 2018, 04:22:53 AM
I have a 30 tooth Evo comp sprocket and their 49 tooth clutch basket. Final chain drive sprocket is from Baker and the only one with the offset that I need for the custom spacing of the Performance Drive sprocket that is still holding up. I really don't want to replace that sprocket until it is toast.
Primary chain is basically new and was almost out of adjustment when installed with 92 links.

I ended up lining my Baker shoe with a strip of UHMW to take up the slack with a new RK primary chain. I hope that this works but only time will tell.

I Googled this stuff up, very interesting what and how did you secure it if you don't mind me asking?

As usual, lots of hyperbole from members that have not done what they speak of. Comical.

Here is my new solid sprocket from Twin Power/Vulcan. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it works out in a few months after I have some real experience with it.

Quote from: Ohio HD on February 28, 2018, 11:18:07 AM
They sell Regina chains.

   that they do, I have one here      

My Evo Ind. 49 tooth basket came with Regina 08R CHR chain.

Kick start XLCH Sportsters were all solid engine sprocket IIRC at least the iron heads were.  My dad's shop had/built several pump gas 73"-90" iron heads, Pop's bikes/drag bikes, customer bikes and mechanics/my bikes. I don't remember a primary chain issue on any of them with the smaller stock Sportster 3 row chain.  They would break transmission doors if the stocker wasn't replaced with a Trock, sometimes cracking the cases in the process, bend trans shaft, break gears, pop rear/final drive chain and slip tire on the rim if not screwed.

Different animal though as I don't believe most of them made much over 100HP and tires were either 4:00 x 18" or 5:00/5.10 x 16", old tech/traction.  Drag bikes didn't weight much if any over 300lbs but would run 10's on a 4" M&H slick with a 240lb rider.  Pretty sure single XL engine fuel bikes of the day ran stock primary chains.

Quote from: tmwmoose on March 30, 2018, 03:20:56 PM

Quote from: jam65 on March 12, 2018, 08:11:39 PM

Quote from: jam65 on February 28, 2018, 04:22:53 AM
I have a 30 tooth Evo comp sprocket and their 49 tooth clutch basket. Final chain drive sprocket is from Baker and the only one with the offset that I need for the custom spacing of the Performance Drive sprocket that is still holding up. I really don't want to replace that sprocket until it is toast.
Primary chain is basically new and was almost out of adjustment when installed with 92 links.

I ended up lining my Baker shoe with a strip of UHMW to take up the slack with a new RK primary chain. I hope that this works but only time will tell.

I Googled this stuff up, very interesting what and how did you secure it if you don't mind me asking?

Tapered head fasteners and counter sunk the UHMW to fit. I also rounded off the leading edges of the material to avoid a catch with the chain.

UHMW   hmmmmm     ......  maybe that's what I need

Stock 25T and 82 Pitch Chain fits so well       Note: sprocket shaft off cut providing support.




Here's a 27T Comp Sprocket and an 84 Pitch Chain, no way the Stock Chain Adjuster is going to cope with that. 

Maybe if you stood that sprocket nut on end? 

Quote from: koko3052 on March 31, 2018, 01:41:27 PM
Maybe if you stood that sprocket nut on end? 

He definitely has that sprocket nut installed incorrectly.

Thought I'd give an update as I had posted in this thread.  I've put two weekends at the track on this the RK primary chain, hasn't gave any yet. The Diamond had already given it up by then last year.  I'll keep updated, but looks like the RK is going to wear really well.

Thanks Kelly, and glad to hear it's holding up. How'd you do last weekend? I saw you were working on 60 foot times? 

Please do keep us updated, I know I'm interested in how it holds up. 

Quote from: Ohio HD on May 29, 2018, 07:52:38 PM
Thanks Kelly, and glad to hear it's holding up. How'd you do last weekend? I saw you were working on 60 foot times? 

Please do keep us updated, I know I'm interested in how it holds up.

Lets say I don't quite have a handle on this clutch yet!  I made some strides but not there yet. By the time I got a couple things figured out, TnT was over.  Looking to hit my mark this week after the monsoon season is over here

Quote from: Jonny Cash on May 29, 2018, 07:57:25 PM

Quote from: Ohio HD on May 29, 2018, 07:52:38 PM
Thanks Kelly, and glad to hear it's holding up. How'd you do last weekend? I saw you were working on 60 foot times? 

Please do keep us updated, I know I'm interested in how it holds up.

Lets say I don't quite have a handle on this clutch yet!  I made some strides but not there yet. By the time I got a couple things figured out, TnT was over.  Looking to hit my mark this week after the monsoon season is over here

You'll get it, and yourself dialed in.     

Quote from: turboprop on March 30, 2018, 03:25:05 PM
As usual, lots of hyperbole from members that have not done what they speak of. Comical.

Here is my new solid sprocket from Twin Power/Vulcan. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it works out in a few months after I have some real experience with it.

As promised, here is an update. The solid sprocket has been great. Almost 2k miles on it now. I measured runout on the pinion shaft last night. Still less than .0005". Same as when the solid sprocket was installed. I cannot say with certainty that any of the usual claims are founded. Bike seems to start and accelerate the same as before. For those not paying attention, the bike is a stripped down FXR with a 158 HP TC124 in it that is driven by a mad man.

Updating an old thread on primary chains.

I came across a source in the UK that has Tsubaki primary chains. Is that good? Well maybe, they were always a premium chain manufacturer. Anyway I ordered one and will report back on what I get, and how the process from the UK went. I had emailed someone there and they confirmed stock on what I wanted. So we'll see how it goes.

I'll post a link to the site in the UK in the part sourcing forum.

Hit Me, I'm A Link...

Also, I'm told but have no proof that the Twin Power primary chains may be Tsubaki. I'm told they're from Japan, but they're marked Twin Power. The links do feel like their slightly polished, they're smooth where a lot of chains have a slight rough feel to them. I'll compare this one to the Tsubaki when I get it.

"The Diamond will be coming out."
  IME Diamond has always sucked. Have never had a problem with Regina. I would like a Tsubaki or a RK as I have used their rear chains with much reliability.   Thanks for the link Brian.