From:	Mike	e-mail:	michael.schmitt-A-us.army.mil
Subject:	RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: chains	Date:	Mon Apr 9 09:35:51 2012
Response to:	17264

Good discussion going here but I think you guys are missing the point. There is no doubt that most of those early lightweights left the factory with an endless chain, and there was a reason for that. It takes a lot less time to install one without having to mess with inserting the master link and the spring clip, it saves several steps in the assembly process and saves the factory a little bit of time & money when building the bikes. When you build 10,000 bikes in a year it adds up. There is also no doubt that most, if not all, of the replacement chains came across the parts counter with a master link. There are exceptions to every rule and, as Mutt has already mentioned, the parts books are notorious for errors, but they are all we have 60 years after the fact. jmho Mike ----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS ----- Mark, I think you're a little off-base with your last comment. Mutt knows more about Hummers than anyone on the planet, and he's on to something here with the endless (no master link) rear chains. I am having a little difficulty believing that ALL bikes came from the factory with endless chains. Every bike (including big Harleys) that I've had experience with have a master link in the rear chain. It makes it much easier to remove the chain for periodic greasing or fixing flat tires. Since Mutt has some of them, the endless ones do exist. It is a possibility that Harley made some special purchases of the endless ones, either for new production or as replacement parts. Or that Diamond and Duckworth sold these as aftermarket replacements back in the days of yore. The problem, of course, is finding original bikes that are known to have never had the chain replaced. Mutt, do you have any evidence from original bikes? Since we started this thread, I've been going over the parts books. There are actually 7 different chains that came on the lightweights. 3 different motor sprockets. 4 different mainshaft sprockets, 8 different clutch sprockets, and 7 different rear sprockets. Interesting notes: For 1951-1952, there was a special 47 tooth rear sprocket available to replace the standard 43 tooth version (better acceleration?). The 1959 Hummer had a 32 tooth clutch sprocket instead of the 33 tooth one used on the 1955-1958 Hummer (higher top end?) A lot of things have happened over the past sixty years, and many of these things just don't have an easy answer. So let's work through this and give it our considered opinion. Dave ----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS ----- THANK YOU PERRY once again Mutt has decided that his word is gospel. REALLY Mutt, BLA BLA BLA A NOS chain with a master isn't good enough? This is just another example of why most people could give two @#$%^'s about having there bike judged. And make up your mind Mutt, Is the catalog, owners manual, and hand book right or wrong or are we going to hear more of what sells chains for you.