Chain guide - What type of plastic?

[Davehuge]

I'm refurbing my 2004 chain guide, the side cheeks are 3mm thick plastic.

Can any plastic experts suggest the best type of plastic to use? Obviously needs to be oil resistant and tough but not brittle.

Would teflon/PTFE be suitable?

Thanks, Dave.

 

[Davehuge]

For anyone that's interested...

I've just spoken to a plastics supplier and explained what I wanted to use the plastic for.

He said PTFE has a very low coefficient of friction but would be too soft, it wouldn't last long.

He has recommended Nylon, it's cheaper too!

Just ordered a small 3mm thick sheet for 3 euros.

 

[nknudsen]

Thanks! I will need to do this in the near future on my 2000 EC.

 

[Davehuge]

Just to save any confusion...I'm refurbing the old style of 'swinging' chain guide...

 

[celler]

Been many years but have used Celcon in the past for a lot of automated machine parts. I think it is a variation of Delrin. It was more dimensionally stable so it machined better than nylon or Delrin. Nylon is definitely low cost.

 

[GasGas]

Those chain guides were very under rated. The rollers lasted for ever.

 

[swazi_matt]

Those chain guides were very under rated. The rollers lasted for ever.

... but when they did it was like the bike was everything the pumpkin lovers said it would be lol

 

[Davehuge]

Those chain guides were very under rated. The rollers lasted for ever.

Yes, I really like the 'old' version swinging chain guide.

I was riding my Kawasaki KLX450R in the Dubai desert a few years ago, it had the solid mounted chain guide, as fitted to most of the latest MX/Enduro bikes...



Whilst riding at speed, I hit a rock that smashed the chain guide and ripped it off the swinging arm, snapping the mounting lugs off the swinging arm. The chain was jammed and I couldn't release it. It was a very hot/humid walk back to the house so I could get my trailer to recover the bike.

I found an aluminum welder who welded the lugs back onto the swinging arm and I got it all straightened out again without too much fuss.

I do wonder... if I had this type of old GasGas 'swinging' chain guide, maybe the damage wouldn't have been so severe. At least maybe I could have limped the bike home?

 

[Davehuge]

My 3mm nylon sheet arrived in the post today, from supplier in UK (3euros on eBay).

It looks/feels like the same material as the original.

It's only a small piece but is enough to make 3 pairs of side plates, so will do me for a few years.




I found some blocks of nylon in my garage which I can use to make the rollers. Already did this sometime ago and have been using them for a while now, they work great.

 

[Davehuge]

Those chain guides were very under rated. The rollers lasted for ever.

The old style chain guide, with the chain running over a plastic roller, gives less drag/friction as opposed to the new style where the chain runs through a plastic block.

Minimal I know, but every of bit power to the wheel helps!

 

[Leo]

The rollers shoul be made of polyurethane. Any harder plastic will be noisy.