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2 split links on primary chain

Submitted by nigel_parry on Sun, 03/01/2021
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Heavy Twins

Hi

Sorry for the flurry of posts recently but I'm only just getting into the bike after riding it this year.

I've removed the primary outer case and after checking the clutch rubbers decided not to take the inner off, see separate post on not being able to get an engine sprocket tab washer.

I've found the drive chain has 2 split links, hopefully you can see them on the photo. I'm assuming there should only be one and the second one is a botch, just like I used to do on a pushbike.

Can someone confirm it's just the one that should be there please.

I'm guessing I'll need a new chain and I'll now get into the other side of the bike and start figuring out chain adjustment for primary and final drives. It was on the to do list so I guess it just came up to the top.

 

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Submitted by ian_soady on Sun, 03/01/2021

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... which is sometimes needed to get an odd number of links. Given the pain of keeping the primary oil tight I would be tempted to replace the chain anyway - perhaps witha riveted link (although I'm always happy with spring links).

Submitted by nigel_parry on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Hi Ian

I'm struggling to find a riveted chain, doesn't seem to be listed on the normal sites. Any ideas?

I'm in South Wales

Submitted by john_holmes on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Jason will make an endless chain to the length you want, but I have never had a link break on me.

 

https://the-chain-man.co.uk/

Submitted by robert_tuck on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Check your sprocket sizes as its not normal to need a cranked link.  With the limited power of a Dommy  primary chain problems are usually caused by no oil  ,bad adjustment or the box moving back under the pull of final drive chain.

Submitted by philip_hannam1 on Sun, 03/01/2021

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The only Dominator that needed a crank-link in its chain was the 99SS if the 21 tooth engine sprocket option was chosen. Usually this went in the rear chain. New bikes were generally sold with endless chains inside the engine. A spring link was often seen as the weak point in any chain and racing bikes tended to have their rear chains built up as endless.

The 'Chain Man' was selling DIY links for building endless chains........not too sure if he still does. But personally I would not use a chain (except in an emergency) with two spring links in it. 

Submitted by nigel_parry on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Hi all

Been up to check around the details on this and I'm pretty convinced it's a bit of a lash up as the final chain is also at the far reaches of adjustment.

I've decided to renew both, found a source with Renold chains available of the right length but I'm going to check again the lengths in the morning. It was pretty cold and I'm starting to doubt my memory when I counted.

I'm into this try and limit oil leaks so just as well get a baseline to work from.

While I'm there I'm changing all the fluids and greasing various bits to finish off the back end. Then it's on to the front.

Thanks for all the info

Submitted by dan_field on Sun, 03/01/2021

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My primary has a cranked link and two links as a consequence, but it is a special. Should be ok if it’s all good quality. 

Dan 

Submitted by peter_brown1 on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Renolds chain got out of making motorcycle chain years ago, as stated earlier it is now just a brand name for some anonymous manufacturer. Regina/DID/Tsubaki/AFAM are all ok brands

Submitted by nigel_parry on Sun, 03/01/2021

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Hi

As I'm doubting what been done prior, does anyone know the correct lengths of the primary chain and the final drive chain.

I have the sizes from the manual, 0.500 x 0.305 and 5/8 x 1/4 but it doesn't state the number of links and I'm a little sceptical to use the ones that came off.

Any ideas please

Submitted by philip_hannam1 on Mon, 04/01/2021

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Below as stated in most manuals.  There are variations depending on state of tune of engine and sprocket sizes chosen.

Dominator Chain lengths in Links:

Model             Primary          Rear

7 Plunger           76                 90       

7 S/Arm             76                 91

88                      75                 98

88SS                 74                 97

77                      77                 90

99                      76                 97 (Dynamo)

99 (1960)          75                  98

650                    76                 97

750                    76                 97

 

G15                  68                  97 (CSR 98)

N15                  68                   97

P11                  68                  100

Nomad             77                   90 

Submitted by nigel_parry on Mon, 04/01/2021

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Hi all

thanks again for all the info, time to order some chains and finish things up

thanks

Here is the webaddress of «Andy The Chain Man»: https://the-chain-man.co.uk. If you tell him what bike, he will supply the correct chain.

Fritz

Submitted by nigel_parry on Mon, 04/01/2021

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Hi all

Thanks for info, chains ordered from Jason, 75 link endless for primary and 98 for main.

Thanks for walking me through this, hopefully the fitting goes smoothly.

 

Submitted by fritz_wettstein on Mon, 04/01/2021

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On my 650SS/1966 the primary chain is even and the rear is odd.

Fritz

 


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