H
HoughMade
Guest
Not wanting to wait for a half link for my 415 chain and hearing from others that a #41 chain works fine, I went down to Tractor Supply Company and bought a 10 foot length of #41 for $14 and a half link (actually a package of three) for $4.
Long story short, it works great! The pitch is the same 1/2". The roller diameter is the same 5/16". The side plates are slightly thinner, but the outside width of the chain is the same as 415. There is about 1/16" wider inside measurement, but appears not to be a problem at all.
To me, there are some advantages-
1. You can get #41 anywhere and you can get #41 half links and master links anywhere. If you don't have a close TSC, try any small engine shop or anyplace that sells minibikes or go-karts.
2. 10' of #41 cost about $14 (no shipping because you can get it anywhere). I looked at several of the usual suspects and most charged about $20 for a 59" 415. One retailer charged about $15, but it is still only 59". For the cost of a master link, you can get 2 chains out of the 10', $14, #41 easy. If you use 2 different sprockets, you can have a ready made chain for each.
3. Worried about the strength? A #41 has an average tensile strength of 2,000 lbs. A 415 has an average tensile strength of 1,600 lbs.
http://www.azusaeng.com/chain/mcyclchn.html
4. I have heard the 415s (the ones that come with the kits) stretch quite a bit. I have never heard this about standard #41 and it has been used on minibikes and go-karts for generations.
In case you cannot tell- I'm a big fan of #41.
Long story short, it works great! The pitch is the same 1/2". The roller diameter is the same 5/16". The side plates are slightly thinner, but the outside width of the chain is the same as 415. There is about 1/16" wider inside measurement, but appears not to be a problem at all.
To me, there are some advantages-
1. You can get #41 anywhere and you can get #41 half links and master links anywhere. If you don't have a close TSC, try any small engine shop or anyplace that sells minibikes or go-karts.
2. 10' of #41 cost about $14 (no shipping because you can get it anywhere). I looked at several of the usual suspects and most charged about $20 for a 59" 415. One retailer charged about $15, but it is still only 59". For the cost of a master link, you can get 2 chains out of the 10', $14, #41 easy. If you use 2 different sprockets, you can have a ready made chain for each.
3. Worried about the strength? A #41 has an average tensile strength of 2,000 lbs. A 415 has an average tensile strength of 1,600 lbs.
http://www.azusaeng.com/chain/mcyclchn.html
4. I have heard the 415s (the ones that come with the kits) stretch quite a bit. I have never heard this about standard #41 and it has been used on minibikes and go-karts for generations.
In case you cannot tell- I'm a big fan of #41.
