Motorcycle Chain Blades

J

J Koch

Joined
Jan 23, 1999
Messages
77
Can anyone explain how motorcycle chains are made into blades and are they of good quality?


J.Koch
 
Easy in theroy hard in pratices. You just heat it up and beat it down, using borax for a flux. Pretty easy huh.
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-Greg Johnson
ICQ#4236341

 
All I know is that they produce a wicked pattern, and I hear the best chain to make it out of is good ol' Harley Davidson chains.

Have fun and keep it sharp

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KSwinamer
 
J
These type of blades are wild looking. One recommendation is that they be a san mia type blade. MC chain has several parts that are a carburized steel not a tool steel . In the forging world this causes problems. So look for one (or build one) with a solid core steel such as 52100 or 1084..
 
I have a old primary chain of my 47 Indian Chief. It has a diamond shape stamp'd on the links & is a triple-strand chain. I was plan'g on forg'g it this spring when I get my forge together this spring.Is this a good selection for a chain?

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Seems like you'd want to make sure it wasn't an O-ring chain since the rubber O-rings might cause problems when forging. Is this the case?

I for sure wouldn't use a newer Harley's. I don't think their kevlar belt would work too well.
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Ciao

MM


 
Speaking as a biker, the best grade chains available today are the high-end "O-ring type" chains found on sportbikes. If I was probing a junkyard I'd look for a crashed high-end sportbike; the O-rings are easy to spot because each link in the chain will have "gaps" between the side plates where the O-ring goes.

They're a high-end tool steel throughout, although I don't know what grade. And I dunno how the rubber will percolate out...

Jim March
 
to MM, kevlar belts?!?!?!?!?!?!?!, boy I've been out of the loop

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KSwinamer
 
Out of the loop
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. Don't try a Beemer or you'll get the shaft!
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Ciao

MM


 
OK guys!! This is a knife forum, not a biker rally!!!
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While we are on the subject of chains... What about timing chains out of V-8's?? I know they are made to go through hell in say a 454 c.i. pulling a moble home and still come back kickin', but what about for knife blades?? Would it be the same as what yall are sayin' here 'bout bike chains, or will it vary due to the different application??

Chris S

[This message has been edited by Chris S (edited 08 March 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Chris S (edited 08 March 1999).]
 

Hey MM, don't give me a hard time
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The only bike I've ever owned is a Royal Purple 1948 Triumph, so anything techier that is a big mystery to me:P

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KSwinamer
 
Coincidence or not - I've just forged my first piece of bike chain -and have a billet ready for the next step in making a knife. That's for next weekend:-)

I've read a bit about the difficulties, but found it much easier than I thought. I'm wondering what I've done wrong..........

To use gregj62's words - I just heated it up and beat it down - and yes, I used a borax flux.
I've also seen chainsaw chains used - they give a nice 'batwing' pattern.
 
Trevor

What kind of chain did you use? I'm still wondering if an O-ring chain would be a problem.

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Ciao

MM


 
MM, sorry but all I can tell you is that it was an all-metal chain. It was in a box of junk that cost me $1 at an auction (along with some chisels, files etc.) and I have no idea what it was from.
But it forged into a solid billet really well, which is all I'm interested in anyway.
Unfortunately, I now have to work all weekend so more knifemaking with it will have to wait.
 
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