Topic: Steel Case guards for front spocket - Just seeing if anyone else likes this idea

[ElCheapo]

I am working on several things at once right now. This was just another idea I came up with when I realized that the lovely free rotating K1 motor I brought home from the last score has the typical airconditioning for the transmission area in front of the front spocket. Whipping chains was a nasty thing these bikes used to do. Yes, Especially the older KO's and K1's because the chain technology just did not meet up to the motor tech.

I was thinking of designing a steel plate that would fit in this spot like a glove and provide a bullet proof sheild that would save the case from being killed by the chain if it were to blow.

Does anyone else think this is a good idea? I have been spending so much time on the redrawing of the various years of gauge faces and getting proofs printed that I barely have time to pursue this one. Just another idea.

[Terry in Australia]

Honda's R&D boys beat you by about 30 years Tom, I've got one sitting in a box somewhere at home that i took off my K6 engine, it's pretty much as you describe the one you're gonna build, the problem that caused honda to do this and then go to a massive 630 chain for the last CB750 incarnations was more to do with poor quality chains than weak cases, and any good 530 chain produced today is no longer a threat to our engines, or a boon for those great guys at JB Weld. When you consider that a Hayabusa runs the same pitch chains as we do, but produces up to four times the BHP, we shouldn't live in fear of chain failure any more. Of course, if anyone is dumb enough to fit a NOS 1970's chain, or a cheapy (no offense) from Malaysia or China, then a "case saver" will be a definite "must have", ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

[Jonesy]

You mean something like this? (See below)

I think it was a combination of weaker chains and the sprocket ratios on the early bikes were different. The first bikes had 16/45 front/rear while the later bikes were 18/48 for more chain wrap.

[ElCheapo]

yep, thats sort of like what I was thinking. I guess the cheesy chains are no longer a threat. 

[Bob Wessner]

No, but poorly maintained ones are 

[Sam Green Racing]

You have hit the nail on the head there Bob, I personaly think it was the higher chain speed over the smaller sprokets, allied to poor chain maintenence that caused the problems.

I had heard of these chain gaurds and thought of making one, then thought if the chain is maintained well it should be OK, and it has been.

Sam.

[cd811]

I'd fell better running a guard like that even though I run a quality chain and sprockets!!!!!!!