Chain stretch?

[BaconBitRacing]

Yeah, that's overkill. But it ain't done til its overdone!
Only real difference, if it's not in my junk pile, I'm not buying til it all fails. Spectacular failures are best! Only then after spending 3 times as much as I should have, will I break down and buy the right s**t, as I should have to begin with. I'm pretty smart with economics!

You're almost as responsible with money as our government!

 

[Master Hack]

You're almost as responsible with money as our government

Thats just downright insulting!

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Thats just downright insulting!

Oh, I'm sorry
But the thing that makes you different is you recycle!

 

[Denny]

I found a great way to lube the chain also.
l hold a can of chain lube (available at the motorcycle shop) in my right hand and a beer in my left. I spray the s**t on the chain, then sit down and consume the beer. The whole process takes 10 minutes. No hot stuff to deal with, no appliances to buy and time left over for another beer!

But I consume a whole bunch of beers my way! And my chains and sprockets last a really long time. The reason chains go bad before their time is no lube is getting inside for the pins. Learned this along long time ago with my Schwin.

 

[tlott01]

Another great way to keep a chain lubed and my favorite. Borrow you wife’s electric skillet or crock pot to melt a big candle or 3. Enough to completely cover the chain. Then add a few ounces of your favorite non detergent oil or Slick 50 and stir it up real good. Lay your chain in it and let it soak in the warm mixture for a few hours. Work the chain with a screwdriver every so often so the the mixture penetrates the rollers really well. After a few hours take the chain out and hang it up to dry and cool. Then install. Leave the mixture in the skillet or crock pot and cover (it’s ruined anyways). Go out and buy the wife new stuff before she misses the old stuff and convince her it’s the same stuff she always had. Once the chain has cooled and dried install it. Now the mixture left over can be warmed up and used later to relube the chain after a ride, just dip in an old paint brush to re apply. The nice thing about doing it this way is it won’t sling off when riding. I found chains and sprockets last longer. Caution mixture will be hot!!!

I remember reading a formula like this for motocross bike chains over 40 years ago. The secret is to get it into the pins, because normal “stretch” is really just a tiny amount of wear on each pin. Added together it is significant.

 

[Denny]

I remember reading a formula like this for motocross bike chains over 40 years ago. The secret is to get it into the pins, because normal “stretch” is really just a tiny amount of wear on each pin. Added together it is significant.

That is about how long I have been doing it.

 

[Kurt4romB4]

Hey, nice writeup.... I have been breaking chains on a regular basis. Every 20 minutes or so. I'm using a #41 chain because this was what was used as the previous chain. I never did check the sprocket, but I'm going to take a look today. My kart was a resurrected 125cc Kandi kids kart. So a majority of parts are stock kandi. My brakes barely work and I don't do donuts so I don't understand why I keep snapping chains. I'm using a belt driven torque converter as well.

 

[JimD]

You can always use #40 chain on a #41 sprocket, but you cannot use the #41 or #420 chain on the #40 sprocket. The nice thing about using the heavier chain is now you can get away with a slight misalignment, say .050. The #40 chain is worth the extra couple of bucks. The chain that starts with a 4 (first number in a chain is always over an 8 which is how they designate pitch 4/8 = 1/2" pitch. 3/8 = 3/8" pitch, etc. The #428 chain is 1/2" pitch but this chain will ONLY fit a #428 sprocket so don't try and use this chain on any #40 sprocket or a #41 sprocket it will NOT work because the roller is too large (.335).

The 428 chain is a non-standard series roller chain1that is larger than the 420 chain, with a 5/8” pitch2. It is designed for larger bikes, such as cruisers and touring bikes, and is heavier and stronger than the 420 chain2. The 420 chain is a standard-sized chain with a 1/2” pitch, built to be lightweight and durable2.
Just look something up and this guy doesn't have a clue, this is NOT 5/8 pitch chain and to tell you that you can use it in place of 420 chain is proof that he should not give advice when he doesn't know what he is talking about. I have a bridge in Brookyln I could sell him. Double check info you get on the internet before you buy something just because of bad info.

 

[Master Hack]

I ordered and installed the #40 chain. The difference is obvious. The #40 even looks a little wider and heavier components used to make it.

 

[Kurt4romB4]

Thanks for the information Jim, cuz I didn't realize the sprockets were compatible for those #41 &# 40 chains. My local 'Tractor Supply' never carries #41 in stock and I was wondering why that is. I thought it was due to demand, but more likely that it isn't necessary with the alternative available. . I am ordering a #40 chain today from Amazon.

Any suggestions for ordering parts besides Amazon? I really need new wheels and tires for my current Kart and will need 4 new tires for my next project... I am trying to keep costs down cuz it's way more satisfying to drive knowing it was mostly recycled and salvaged parts from a small engine graveyard. Once I start spending big money, I lose a lot of my excitement.

 

[Master Hack]

I am trying to keep costs down cuz it's way more satisfying to drive knowing it was mostly recycled and salvaged parts from a small engine graveyard. Once I start spending big money, I lose a lot of my excitement.

Now thats my kind of building.
Scrounge, make, repurpose, recycle, steal if necessary, but only buy as a last resort!

 

[bob58o]

The greatest thing I learned from “itsid” when he was around was about chain pitch and labeling.

The first number is the pitch in 1/8ths of an inch.

20 series chain
2 / 8 = 1/4 inch pitch

30 series chain
3 / 8 = 3/8 inch pitch

40 series / 400 series chain
4 / 8 = 1/2 inch pitch

50 series / 500 series chain
5 / 8 = 5/8 inch pitch