530 Chain on a 69 XLCH

Monte03 · #1 20th April 2008

I purchased a New chain only it is a 530 as recommended by my Dealer.
it appears too big for an early Ironhead and it would ripe up everything in site going through the Sprocket cover, I placed it back into the box, Goin back to my dealer Monday.

What is a good quality 520 chain that will not stretch as much as those old Diamond chains from years ago?
I know in advance that I will not run an O ring chain... been years since I purchased a chain for a bike..

Thanks for the Help here..

72 Ironhead XLH · #2 20th April 2008

I run a 530 Diamond on mine.No issues.

Monte03 · #3 20th April 2008

Is it a 72? they do not have the dry clutch with the cable and worm gear running next to the chain, pre 71 XLs do..

72 Ironhead XLH · #4 20th April 2008

Your right ,I forgot that item but it should still work.

williamv1203 · #5 20th April 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte03

I purchased a New chain only it is a 530 as recommended by my Dealer.
it appears too big for an early Ironhead and it would ripe up everything in site going through the Sprocket cover, I placed it back into the box, Goin back to my dealer Monday.

What is a good quality 520 chain that will not stretch as much as those old Diamond chains from years ago?
I know in advance that I will not run an O ring chain... been years since I purchased a chain for a bike..

Thanks for the Help here..

Here I am in the IH section again...

This is not super technical, so I don't think I have any chance of getting THIS wrong...

Although it seems as if a 520 or 525 will go, due to the minimal slack that is there between the link saddles and rollers, only so much give-way IS there before it will bind over the sprocket.

OK, A 530 pitch chain is the standard on most if not all XL's, no matter what year, right??? So, if a 520 pitch is put on, although it will feed around the rear sprocket, which, BTW, tends to wear and feather forward quicker than the front drive sprocket, will it not bind and lock up going around the front sprocket?
The reason I have posted to this is that, I tried a 525 on my 88, all stock sprockets, (using the old chain I was replacing, linked to the new one to pull it thru with rear wheel off the ground and in neutral) it went around the rear ok, but over the front, it bound up and wouldn't move any further than about 3 or 4 teeth. This was because, although a few links settled onto the sprocket, taking up the slack I referred to above, the next link or two had no clear way place to set onto the sprocket. Causing the chain to ride above the teeth and hit against whatever, be it cover securing bolts, etc... under the cover. No go. Another chain. 530 this time and it went, no problem.

There was a lengthy thread concerning pitch and links a while back...

There are various width size chains of the same pitch. Which is, if you don't know, pitch is the distance between center to center of the chain roller pin. Have a look at the DIAMOND chains web site to see what I mean...

http://www.diamondchain.co.uk/catalogue.php

thefrenchowl · #6 20th April 2008

Hi Monte03,

Standard 530, without O rings, should fit.

530 O ring won't. It will foul the clutch cable.

I always use 520 O ring but had to skin both sprockets to 1/4" thick. These don't foulm anything.

Patrick

williamv1203 · #7 20th April 2008

OK,
After reading thefrenchowl's post saying he runs 520 with no problem, I am completely wrong with all that I put in my post before his...

No more technical spec advice from me...

Monte03 · #8 20th April 2008

Thanks to ALL,
the Question remains: what was the original size back in 1969?
the Harley Shop is even confused, heck, the Kid at the counter was born in 1985!!!!!

I will go with a high Quality 520 or 525 after I investigate but that 530 will infact eat the hell out of my New Old Stock 1969 Sprocket Cover and then you will witness a grown Man cry...
You can see why a BMW (shaft Drive) spoils the Hell out of you...
But damn I want to finish this Sportster and get out there..

Campsurf · #9 20th April 2008

If you are running a 24 tooth sprocket then you are going to have to grind some of the sprocket cover bracing away but a 530 should be no problem with a 23-22 tooth sprocket... and as Patrick said; NO O RING... a 67-87 XLH uses 106 Links. 1969 XLCH lists 104 links..

What size is your front sprocket? This is something simple, it has to be.

Jim

Monte03 · #10 20th April 2008

To All that replied,
I learned a lesson today, as I stated, been away from Sporties along time..
What I need is the standard 530 chain for my 69 XLCH, the chain given to me was a Tsubaki HD as in heavy Duty side plates..
the Heavy Duty is a full one hundred Thou wider than the standard when I measured and compaired with a calipar and this is why it not only looks Monsterous it will infact rip up my spocket cover if I tried to run it..
I will locate a Non O Ring 530 (standard) tomorrow, thanks Patrick, Camp, 72 and all the rest..
the bike is on a box 98% complete, looks awesome, working non stop every night since December so you know where I am at,
cannot wait to fire it up..