Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

I have had many bikes, but none as old as my '46 VH.

The drive chain rollers appear to be made with rollers that are not continuous, but have a clear line where they have been made. Looks like the rollers have been formed by pressing flat steel into cylinders. I have never seen this before....

I am guessing everyone here is going to say " Are you thick? All old chains, and new imitations are like that!"


Are they? My chain appears to be in good condition - but now wondering if it is infact 70 years old and liable to let me down. Is there a name for this "split roller" construction?

hi i have seen split rollers but i have never used them all the chains i use or got on my motorcycles or buy are not split rollers

You have a bush type chain. When you change it get the much better roller type chain as less friction and longer lasting. The bush 'rollers' can split open with wear etc.
Regards,
Keith.

Thanks all. Never seen one before, and while it appears to be in good condition, I reckon I'll swap it out for a more modern oring chain. I am guessing the previous owner put it on for originality.

Be a little careful with 'o' ring chains as they tend to be wider and there isn't an awful
lot of room for either the primary chain or the rear chain on an Ariel.

Yes, and Industrial chain is much thicker too. The primary chain looked after will last a long time. Use good Brand chains. Nev

Duckworth chains as originally fitted to old Harleys were a split roller chain. I believe they still produce a split roller chain however with the newer chains the split is apparantly not or barely visible. I remember my grandfather talking about the Duckworth chain fitted to his 1929 HD.
David

Ones WITHOUT the split HAVE to be better. I've seen primary cases with remains of split, split rollers in the bottom. I won't run them even IF I got them for nothing. I don't like Joining links either. Nev