What are Harley chains made of??

H

Harleyd2900

Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
114
Hey guys, My father owns a motorcycle shop and we have a lot of old Harley Davidson chains laying around. I know its not just mild steel but I don't know what type of steel it is. Can anyone help?
 
The best I can suggest is for you to contact HD. I spoke with a lady today, at their Canadian #, and she told me that the person who may be able to assist me won't be in until Monday, but her name + number is Mary Reddick, 800-668-4836 in Canada, 905-660-3500 outside Canada, fax # 905-660-3372.

I tried a couple of weeks ago to get similar info on Oregon bar and chain compositions. I was told that the bars are either 4140 or 5150, dependant on series, and that chain info was proprietary information, which they wouldn't disclose.

Remember also, that as far as it looks like, I would guess that the side plates on drive chains are a different material than the rollers and pins, and who says that they're the same as one another ? Maybe not a concern as much as a consideration. Hope this helps.
 
Just found something else for your perusal. Maybe the side plates being of a different material doesn't matter. Check out www.aescustomknives.com.ar/
, go to the "Knifemaking -Tutorials" , and then click on "Making a San-Mai Tanto". Really interesting stuff. Good luck.
 
Make sure the chains are not the ones with Orings and made in USA. I like primary chains even better and if they have a diamond on it that is like gold to me. I have made billets from my Indian's and HD's chains I do them in a canister with 1084 powder. ;) :D
 
Thanks a lot!!!

There are a crap load of chains laying around waiting to be made into damascus at my dads shop. I can't wait. Your information and sites have been very usefull!!
 
You also can do it with out the canister. One of my students did up a 55 Pan's chain by wrapping it around a few pieces of L6. ;)
I have made knives out of tranny shafts too. The main shaft where the clutch activating rod goes thru is cool. Put a W2 drill rod thru the center and flatten that baby out. GOOD LUCK :D :D
 
That is great because we have a crap load of trany shafts laying around. And main shafts. Thanks a lot for the info.

What do you think about taking a trany shaft, welding one side shut, stuffing it with ball berrings, welding it shut, then pounding it out into a piece of damascus?
 
I like the idea, but what about the voids between ball bearings.
Even if the void is filled it would be with the softer material. :confused:
 
Harleyd2900 said:
That is great because we have a crap load of trany shafts laying around. And main shafts. Thanks a lot for the info.

What do you think about taking a trany shaft, welding one side shut, stuffing it with ball bearings, welding it shut, then pounding it out into a piece of damascus?
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If you have 1084 powder to put in between the balls. Hey!!! Someone was using steel wool to fill in the gaps. it's worth a shot. Let us know how you make out. My guess that if you forge to shape you wouldn't see to much of a pattern, but if you stock remove you would see more. That would be worth trying on a double edged dagger. :eek: :confused: ;) :D
Sounds good on paper!!!! HEHEHEHE!!!!
 
This is a little of topic...my cousins boxer " bit " into the chain of his idleing Harley. What made the dog do it is beyond anybodys imagination. Needless to say, massive surgerys.
 
A couple of years ago at Bruce Fuller's place, we made some billets from just Harley primary chain, nothing else. It makes a nice blade but I like to use it mostly for fittings, guards and pommels.

Craig
 
Cindy Denning said:
This is a little of topic...my cousins boxer " bit " into the chain of his idleing Harley. What made the dog do it is beyond anybodys imagination. Needless to say, massive surgerys.
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HEHEHEHE!!! It sounds more like something your OLEMAN would do. :eek: :D :D HEHEHEHE!!!!
 
What if i were to stuff the trany shaft with with ball berings and try to fill the gaps with scraps off a lave. Do you think that would work?
 
Harleyd2900 said:
What if i were to stuff the trany shaft with with ball berings and try to fill the gaps with scraps off a lave. Do you think that would work?
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DUDE!!!! What's lave????? :confused: :confused: :D
 
Harleyd2900 said:
I am sory. Lathe is what I ment. I am a horable speller.
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YEP!!! You sure are HORRIBLE speller. Isn't that what you MEANT. SORRY that I had to bring it up???? HEHEHEHE!!!! They do have spell check programs available. :confused: :confused:
I would think that you would need it in a almost in a powder form to fill in the gaps. :D
 
That sounds good.

Do you know what type of medal Harley connecting rods are?

Where could I get that powder?
 
Harleyd2900 said:
That sounds good.

Do you know what type of medal Harley connecting rods are?

Where could I get that powder?
Click to expand...
I get the powder from Swain Spring. Connecting rods METAL not sure. :confused: :confused:
 
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