classic motorcycle forum
Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: R on July 31, 2024, 06:41:47 AM
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My lil' Villiers needs a new rear chain.
125cc 9D
From previous discussions here, it needs to be a 1/2" x 3/16" x .335"
(Which is not the same as a 420 at all.)
Terriers used the same for the primary drive (clutch), but are quite short.
Renolds appear to have made this - as 110044, mostly out of stock it would seem.
Bantams used something similar - although maybe not as the .335 ??
Is Villiers Services the only source of this.
Postage is quite a chunk these days, unless something can be sourced closer to home ?
The new sprockets are strategically stamped with this 335 detail ...
(https://i.postimg.cc/CLJTFjLx/Villiers-335.jpg)
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Renolds have got more and more frustrating to deal with. From being remarkably helpful at their local premises they steadily got grumpier and grumpier until finally closing their sales counter telling us to order Renolds products through general retail chain outlets. You can imagine how enthusiastic the retail outlets were to stock an obscure chain size that only sad obsessives bought. That’s why it’s out of stock. No firm can afford that. I had to buy a full box to get mine. As all my bikes use 110044 it worked out very nicely for me but for buyers only wishing a length for one bike it’s a real pain.
Sorry I don’t have a happier story.
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Have you tried the chain man? He lists a 1/2" x 3/16" 415: https://the-chain-man.co.uk/chains
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415 chains appear to have 0.305 rollers, rather than the specified .335 ?
What I need is ye olde dealers, with a stash of 110044 under the bench.
Preferably just down the road.
Some mountain bikes used similar ?
Hmmmm.
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Might be worth trying Russell Motors, Falcon rd, Battersea, london. They've been in business for donkey's years and bought tons of WD surplus stock as well as dealer's stock as they closed down.
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Be very wary of using bicycle chain equivalent sizes. It can be of a much lighter grade than the equivalent motorcycle size. It is not expected to transmit anywhere near the power nor do the speed and distance of a motorcycle so is not built to do so.
Of course with the increased use of electric bikes and sports like mountain bikes I suspect some bicycle chain is much tougher than the common stuff. Just look carefully before you leap.
Tell us how you get on.
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I suspect I'm just going to have to stump up the very large chunk of postage for Villiers Services to post it ...
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Hi R,
I have a length of chain with 0.334 rollers, but only long enough for a (shortish) primary chain. Sorry, I don't know where to get more in Australia. Plenty of 415 and it's heavy duty brother the 415H, but all with the smaller rollers.
Leon
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It might have helped if you'd said you were in Australia then I wouldn't have suggested a UK supplier.
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No worries.
I did check him out.
It seems there are many varieties of postage these days,
and some like to specify only the very premium classes.
The economy classes take a few days longer, and cost way less ...
In some cases, way way less.
Seems there is a division of Renolds here locally, might check them out.
Since this chain would seem to be considered obsolete, I'm not holding my breath.
Doubt they make or even stock any chain locally anyway ?
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Is this any help?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/155313968613
https://www.britishbikebits.com/120l-renold-rear-chain-1-2x3-16-110044-120-bsa-bantam-d7-d14-4
https://moteck.com.au/product/roller-chain/
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Is this any help?
Dunno.
I mulled over a few such things.
The 1st one is just some joining links.
The 2nd one sounds promising.
But I could find no mention that a Bantam used 335 rollers.
And overall costs more than Villiers Services.
Need to find a NOS chain on a shelf somewhere local.
Or stump up to make Royal Mails profits keep soaring.
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I see that DID make 1/2 x 3/16 chain - and are touting its strength.
No mention of 335 though ...
https://media.partsbook.io/psbDb7zpxoGzohQSO1o75.jpg
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Looking at the Renolds website the GY08B1NA is the only one close to what you want but is a couple of mm wider than the 110044.
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Worth bearing in mind that Renolds chain is crap these days and not a patch on how it used to be.
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Like "Lucas" electrics - now supplied by Wassell and originated who knows where - but not Great Charles Street. The trade names are bought up by shysters to give a veneer of respectability.
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All made in China .........except Lucas trade mark is used by Bosch and all Lucas 'genuine'' parts are called 'legacy' and made in India by Bosch......Lucas is actually owned by USA conglomerate TRW Inc.
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I asked the boss at my local bearing shop about the chain, and best he could come up with was O8B chain which has the right roller dia, but wider between the side plates. He said about $6.00 per foot. Some here to compare sizes.
https://www.nitrochain.com/08b-metric-roller-chain-10ft
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Hi
I had the same problem and finally found a satisfying solution for me.
In many german mopeds from the 60's and 70's where chains with the dimension 1/2x 5,2x 8,5 used (sometimes 1/2x5,4x8,5). The two numbers are in millimeter.
These kind of chains are still easy available in germany, just one example:
https://www.motorradmeistermilz.de/Kette-Rollenkette-116-Glieder-1/2-x-521-x-851
I hope i could help you
Regards
Ralf
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Hi Ralf,
That's interesting. The roller diameter of 8.51mm equates to 0.335" - spot on, and the width is quite close: 5.21mm is 0.205" vs the British chain at 4.75mm (0.1875" or 3/16"). The extra 0.46mm/0.018" width is not too bad, so the chain would probably work ok?
Cheers
Leon
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Sorry for the late response.
I haven't test it yet because my bike is still a project and i hope i can finish it the next months so I can hopefully ride it the first time.
But for my opinion this little difference of aprx 0.5mm is neglibigle. We will see...
Regards