Author Topic: Dynamo drive chain  (Read 873 times)

Offline Terryb

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Dynamo drive chain
« on: 01.05. 2017 17:51 »
Surprise! Surprise!

Decided to remove the timing cover for cleaning from my 1955 A7 SS and was surprised to see an broken dynamo chain and a large quantity of oily gunge. Not sure how long the chain has been broken, but have concerns about the mess. Would this gunge be caused by cork dust and oil added by a previous owner?

Online JulianS

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #1 on: 01.05. 2017 17:57 »
The dynamo compartment should contain grease to lubricate the chain.

I suspect the "gunge" is just the grease, well churned up by the chain.

Offline Terryb

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #2 on: 01.05. 2017 18:46 »
Hi Julian,

Thank you for that. I have hunted high and low for information appertaining to lubrication in this area, so as you say the gunge is old grease mixed with a smattering of cork dust. Many thanks again.

Terryb

Offline Billybream

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #3 on: 01.05. 2017 19:05 »
Hi Terry.
Why not treat her to a belt drive arrangement, you can pick them up for less than ?100.00, then no need to worry about grease.
1960 Super Rocket, owned since 1966, back on the road 2012 after being laid up for 29yrs.

Online JulianS

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #4 on: 01.05. 2017 19:34 »
A good idea, I agree.

A broken dynamo chain can cause havoc and can be noisy.

I fitted one of these;

http://dynamoregulators.com/drive-belt-kit.php

Offline coater87

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #5 on: 01.05. 2017 19:59 »
I wonder if I'm reading the website correctly. It's either 88 pounds including shipping or 88 pounds for shipping overseas and 70 some pounds for for the belt drive? *conf*
Central Wisconsin in the U.S.

Offline muskrat

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #6 on: 01.05. 2017 21:04 »
G'day Lee.
Pretty sure that's total cost.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline Slippery Sam

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #7 on: 02.05. 2017 10:30 »
Heads up
Some belt drive kits still recommend packing with grease in the same way as the old chain.
I have a belt and grease on my A10.
Raymond
BSA A10 Cafe Racer project
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Offline duTch

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #8 on: 02.05. 2017 10:34 »

 So Terry, you must have a good enough battery to not have to wonder why it's not charging....?
Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
Australia

Offline TT John

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #9 on: 02.05. 2017 14:26 »
I strongly recommend a new belt drive system from Dynamo regulators Ltd, I have switched all my bikes to this system, they give you a better charge at lower speeds and not so noisey as chain drive systems, I think a kit now is ?77 plus p+p It's not too expensive when you think of the advantages.

Regards TTJohn

Offline Terryb

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #10 on: 02.05. 2017 19:00 »
Hi All,

Thanks for the belt info. and yes that may be the way to go, but too late I've purchased and fitted a new chain. So I just need to sort out what grease to use, any recommendations?

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Dynamo drive chain
« Reply #11 on: 02.05. 2017 19:14 »
...I've purchased and fitted a new chain. So I just need to sort out what grease to use, any recommendations?
It needs to be a light grease. I used Castrol Spheerol EPL2, (https://goo.gl/23y1pI). It comes in a handy 400g tube. I cannot remember why I used it; I guess someone recommended it.
Someone on Ebay is flogging it https://goo.gl/TSJFDw
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