Chain help! #40 too big, #41???

nightcruiser · Jul 25, 2011

I just received my box of #40 chain I ordered for my bike, it is WAY TOO WIDE to be used on my bike. The pitch is ok but it is as wide as about 2 chains, definately will interefere with the engine, spokes, tires, you name it...
I tried to research chain before I purchased, read prople suggest #41 chain, #40 chain had the same pitch but could handle more tension so I went with that.
Since the #40 is a no go, I am wondering if the #41 is gonna be too wide as well? I can chalk up this chain as lesson learned, but I don't want to buy another chain that will not fit!
Has anyone actually used a #41 chain on their bike? How wide was their #41 chain?
Any input and suggestions of what kind of chain I should buy would be appreciated. I need to outfit a few bikes, so I would prefer to buy a longer section rather than just one bikes worth...
Thanks is advance for any replies.....

Pilotgeek · Jul 25, 2011

I use a 41 chain on my bike.

You can see in that picture, the size in comparison to a standard bike chain. The 41 is a lot narrower than the 40, and it seems to work well for a lot of people. I hadn't heard of anyone recommending a 40 before, but I can definitely see how it would be too wide.

Here's a comparison of different chains:

nightcruiser · Jul 25, 2011

Pilotgeek said:
I use a 41 chain on my bike.

You can see in that picture, the size in comparison to a standard bike chain. The 41 is a lot narrower than the 40, and it seems to work well for a lot of people. I hadn't heard of anyone recommending a 40 before, but I can definitely see how it would be too wide.

Here's a comparison of different chains:

Thanks for the reply and images...

I see the ansi chain chart listing the #40 as 5/16" and #41 as 1/4" wide respectively, the chain I got with the kit actually measures 1/8" wide (roller width). So it would seem #40 is twice as wide as the original (410 chain I think) and only 1/16" larger than the #41? Still pretty wide, and much closer to the #40 than the original.
Do you have a link of #40 that you could measure the width of the roller for me? If it has a 1/4" wide roller that's a pretty wide chain?
Do you have any pic to compare a 410, 415, #40 and #41? Or at least the 410 and the #41?

Pilotgeek · Jul 25, 2011

I don't have any more pictures to show at the moment, and no #40 on hand. This is the best chart I know of for sizes: Azusa Engineering, Inc. Online Catalog - Roller Chain, Motorcycles, etc.

nightcruiser · Jul 25, 2011

I found this chart on the net, if it is accurate that would mean the chains width increases by 1/16" per size

#40 (#425) 1/2 .312 5/16 .156 3,700 .41
#41 1/2 .306 1/4 .141 2,000 .27
#410 (#43) 1/2 .306 1/8 .141 1,600 .19
#415 (#42) 1/2 .306 3/16 .141 1,600 .26
#415h (#42h) 1/2 .306 3/16 .141 1,600 .26

So...

410 - 2/16" wide
415 - 3/16" wide
#41 - 4/16" wide
#40 - 5/16" wide

This seems to indicate even the #41 chain is twice as wide as the original 410 chain? (and only 1/16" slimmer than this mondo #40 chain I have here) I am worried about the #40 chain slapping around inside the clutch plate, being so wide? I want to run the strongest chain possible, but she needs to roll smoothly and not rub the engine and clutch plate as well...

I am gonna chainge a bad garage door opener this week, if all else fails I may try using some of that chain if the pitch matches...

MotorBicycleRacing · Jul 25, 2011

No one uses #40 chain because;

The roller diameter on #40 chain is 0.312
The roller diameter on #41 chain is 0.306 which is the same as #415 and #410

#40 chain is also 1/16" wider between the plates than #41

dmb · Jul 25, 2011

i just measured my #41 with my trusty plastic calipers 1/2'' including pin width. the 415 is a little less than 7/16 [10.5mm] inc pin width. these are chineeze calipers on chineeze chain in one spot so its subject to change. the #41 works on a dyno cruzer with rear drop outs and a m.m.billet adpt. with 2.2 tire but i had to use a 415 on a electra cruzer with 2.2's same adpt.

2door · Jul 25, 2011

#41 is your best option. It's readily available at any industrial supply, Grainger, Tractor Supply etc. Even Ace hardware in most cities carries it. It is compatible with the #415 supplied in most kits and far superior to the Chinese chain.
Tom

nightcruiser · Jul 25, 2011

dmb said:
i just measured my #41 with my trusty plastic calipers 1/2'' including pin width. the 415 is a little less than 7/16 [10.5mm] inc pin width. these are chineeze calipers on chineeze chain in one spot so its subject to change. the #41 works on a dyno cruzer with rear drop outs and a m.m.billet adpt. with 2.2 tire but i had to use a 415 on a electra cruzer with 2.2's same adpt.

Thanks for the info. I just put the caliper on this #40 chain I have here and it is .575" on the outside of the link, the pin is .65". So its a little bigger, but not a whole lot. I can't imagine this wide of a chain working well with this engine, either #40 or #41. Seems a chain this wide would interfere more with the case in that tight area under the clutch plate.

I measured the chain on the garage door opener I am about to remove, it has 1/2" pitch, I couldnt see how thick, but more and more I think this is the chain I am gonna end up running....

nightcruiser · Jul 25, 2011

2door said:
#41 is your best option. It's readily available at any industrial supply, Grainger, Tractor Supply etc. Even Ace hardware in most cities carries it. It is compatible with the #415 supplied in most kits and far superior to the Chinese chain.
Tom

I already tried two Ace Hardware stores in town, no go, they pointed me to the cheap bike chain in their bicycle isle. I am still reluctant to mail order any more chain, I am gonna need to hold it in my hand to get a perspective on the size before I buy again. Maybe I will stop out at Farm & Fleet one of these days and check out the chain there where I know I can see various sizes.
I am still eyeballin' that garage door opener chain, maybe just what I need sitting right there waiting for me.....

Pilotgeek · Jul 26, 2011

Just use #41 dude... it works great for many people here. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Fleet Farm would definitely have some. I get a lot of my supplies there.

PerryP180 · Jul 26, 2011

#41 works great. Very forgiving on any sprocket misalignment or loose chains. The Ace stores can order it for you or a "Do it Best" hardware store can order it. The only chain I've had jump off was the one that came with my first kit. I've used #41 ever since and have had zero chain problems.

flatblack · Jul 26, 2011

I'm running the #41 from TSC. I'd be more comfortable with the clearance from a 415. But the size and durability of the #41 is hard to compete with when you're not getting any rubbing. However, I could run no crappy tensioner with 415...half of one, six a dozen of the other.

wallace · Apr 27, 2013

i managed to get a #40 chain from a mower shop that ordered it for me and come to find out it was obviously tooo wide and when i seen this i got him to exchange it for me (i bought a 4ft and a 3ft section because i needed just over 4 ft) the price of the #35 chain i exchanged it with managed to get me 10ft for the price of 7 of the #40. so im gonna have a second chain replacement. i appreciate someone finally showing me what size chain a 410 was. thank you dance1

wallace · Apr 27, 2013

i got a lawn mower shop to order me a 35 chain (same as 410) so im pretty sure itll be the same as i have, i have a widddee beach cruiser tire so i have to worry about clearance (the 410 chain rubs a little as it is) so i couldnt get the 41. im tiny so i dont have to worry as muchh about the strength of the chain since the bike barely notices im on it as it is XD

*gotta love seeing a girl on a motor bike

maniac57 · Apr 27, 2013

There are several threads about grinding inside the drive sprocket cover for HD chain clearance. I run #40 with no problems at all.

KCvale · Nov 17, 2014

Most kit front and rear sprockets are 415.

It is always best to use the chain matched to the sprocket teeth width.
KMC and Diamond both make HD 415 chain for an upgrade for ~$18.

#41 is a working replacement for #415 and my local Ace actually carries it but I don't use it, I can't stand working with the stuff or what a drag it is on the drive train.

I find #41 chain to be a performance hampering noisy overkill part for a job a good HD #410 or HL #710 1/2 link chain can do even in a performance shifting bike.

'When the sprockets are aligned, the chain will flow fine.'

chained · Nov 17, 2014

A Regina 415 is too big, and gets locked up in the case. Bought one today from a motorcycle shop to replace a broken china chain. Only time will heal the injuries.

NAPA carries an assortment of chain, from #35 and up.
They sell it by the rolls, and its under 20 bucks. They all have it on stock in my area.

Took the regina back and the guy told me to try NAPA, did and got what I needed. #41 is a perfect fit, and it seems to run through the sprocket better than the stock chain did.

bowljoman · Nov 22, 2014

Ive been using KMC chain, and I send away for K710, which has MONSTER inner plates which prevent throwing the chain if you get in a bad situation or have mega high rpms. Ive got a couple thousand miles on a IGH jackshaft shifter using it without issue. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=29416&category=2768

bowljoman · Nov 22, 2014

I chose my chain buying the heaviest by gram-weight I could afford.

KCvale · Nov 23, 2014

bowljoman said:
Ive been using KMC chain, and I send away for K710, which has MONSTER inner plates which prevent throwing the chain if you get in a bad situation or have mega high rpms. Ive got a couple thousand miles on a IGH jackshaft shifter using it without issue. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=29416&category=2768

Your link is to K510 chain.

I like HL710 as a 410 replacement.
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=63507

Those 1/2 link chains are tuff.

Chain help! #40 too big, #41???

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