Heavy duty camchains for the 400/500/550/750

[Oddjob]

As per my other thread I have since found that the GSXR-750 camchain fits the CB500/550, not sure about the 400 (does the 400 use a DID 219T chain?) the chain is a DID (original Honda chain supplier) 219FTH, however there appears to be a lack of 88 link chains in the 219FTH range. I have sourced some 94 link chains and rivet links for the 500/550 and an exceptionally good camchain splitter/rivetter which gives results identical to the factory, there are pics on the other thread of the results.

I am seeing if there is any demand for these types of chains, they can stand greater load (ideal for big bore conversions) and have a greater tensile strength, they are also flat sided so not only are they kinder to the tensioner blade but they will be quieter in operation as well. I'd imagine they'll last longer due to the stronger construction.

I can order a few chains and cut them down to 88 links, post them onward for a price of £35 inc P&P. This could be subject to a change, depends on postal rates but it's a good ballpark figure.

I'll make a small profit, the cutting and riveting is a time consuming job and the special tool to do this was expensive so the profit will cover the costs of buying that. Hopefully I'll break even after some time.

I need 10 committed to buying, I have 2 already, another 8 and I'll move on it.

Let me know either here or via PM.

Hope this is ok Steve, once I break even and if demand is still there I'll donate a sum of each sale to the forum.

[Nurse Julie]

I have been selling these chains for years to members Ken 

[Oddjob]

Yes Julie, for the 750 not the 500. Plus are yours's joined?, as most people would be scared of riveting a camchain, with the right tool it's quite easy but then the tools bloody expensive but you do need it to get a good result.

[Nurse Julie]

Yes Julie, for the 750 not the 500. Plus are yours's joined?, as most people would be sacred of riveting a camchain, with the right tool it's quite easy but then the tools bloody expensive but you do need it to get a good result.

I advertise them for all the models Ken and I send them to the customer with the rivet link on the 400/500/550. Most of my customers are happy to cut and join the chains themselves. Cutting and joining is not something we would do for a customer because if there were ever to be a failure, the liability would come back to me and that's a risk I'm not prepared to take. We also never fit joined chains to our own or customers engines.

[Oddjob]

All chains are joined Julie, that's why they are called chains. I do seem to recall Graham saying he'd joined camchains before, Yamaha require it for certain engines, XS750 comes to mind. If the chain is well joined there is no more risk than a factory one, they break all the time, it's the abuse they get not the way they are manufactured that causes problems. The other thing is, if it was so inherently weak why would DID supply rivet links? The tool I'm using joins the links as well as the factory, you can see by the pics it's identical, they may use a mechanical machine to rivet the links but the way it's done is essentially the same.

I have 4 members who have expressed an interest. Let's see if we can get to 10 before next week. 

[Nurse Julie]

Yes, Graham has joined them in the past and has the correct tool to do it. But, it's not Graham that sells the chains, it's me. You'll easily get up to 10 orders Ken. I've sold 11 cam chains already this month, 5 of them supplied with split links, so the market is there and the other 6 for 750's

[Bryanj]

450 and 500 twins have to have rivet links to assemble the motor and Honda did a splitter/riveter tool in the dealers kit

[Oddjob]

So the same chain fits the 400 four as well, wonder how many links that needs? I could easily look it up but I’m currently bed bound, foot has decided to swell up so badly I can’t get down the stairs, damned disease is really kicking in today.

The chain riveter I’m using btw does not rely on a hammer, it uses mechanical pressure to peen the edges over and because of the way the Germans designed it, it gives consistent results every time. The 219fth rivet link is very difficult to assemble without a special tool, just getting the plate onto the pins requires considerable force, I’d hate to have to try this without the tool, trying to get it on with just pliers would be extremely hard. I’m wondering how those buyers ever got a decent result unless they have a decent riveter themselves, lots of swearing was involved, I can guarantee that.

[Sesman]

Sorry to hear about your foot Ken. You seem to me going through the wars lately. Chin up…..

Your 400F question is a teaser. Is it 82 or 92🤔

[Bryanj]

I have seen 62, 82 and 88 listed as sizes, have to count one im afraid and i aint got one

[Oddjob]

It’s 82 according to the web, parts book may confirm it.

I could easily cut one to that length so anyone doing a big bore mod on the 400 could use a heavy duty chain. Might even be kinder to the camchain tensioner setup

[Bryanj]

Checked on CMS mate and it only gives a part number, the 499 is the one with BIG pics followed by pages of numbers

[Deano400]

Chain from my 400. 82.
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[Oddjob]

Whose make of chain is that Deano, it’s not the standard figure 8 one.

Counted the links on pics of 14401-333-003 and there are 82. There’s one on eBay though and it only has 54 but the bits with it don’t look like 400-4 parts to me.

[Deano400]

Hi Ken,
DID 219FTS. Was in a 1978 400/4.

This is a 1975 400/4 I have on the bench at the moment.

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