Any questions on the Alton starter ?

If any of you are interested I do talks to clubs. They are free and blow away the myths that have grown up around
a basically simple product. I have several talks to Norton owners so I expect one or two of you might have already
met me.

They are not sales talks, indeed I dont take product for selling, they are educational. No charge but diesel money
gratefully received. Next oen at East Devon VMCC, a long way from Birmingham, in October.

Andy

PS I have tried for years to Barber Institute to let me lecture at their big classic meet but no luck yet. I know there
is a black hole of knowledge over there as I am constantly helping people in USA with chains.

Why did you use a duplex timing chain instead of the triple row chain :?: :?:[/quote]

My triplex needed replacing, and I took Andy's advice as above. I am no expert on chains and was told that the modern triplex was not as good as the Iwis duplex so I decided to go for that.
Also had the benefit that it took the primary chain away from the Alton starter chain; it was rather close to the triplex and who knows what they are doing whipping around at speed. In actual fact I don't suppose that there was a problem there or Alton would have identified it, just me being over cautious.

Richard

OK the boring bit.

Forgetting than the original Renold was approx 1/3 above DIN there is still a basic problem.

Triplex chains have a long thin pin of 3.31 mm dia. The middle plates are a slide fit and as such the chain
is poorly supported over its length. Break apart a worn triplex and you will see several points of wear. The
pin material is also a good but standard hardened steel. The weight also plays a part in the wear rate as
it is heavy.

I would never recommend replacing a triplex with a standard duplex but the Merc chain is different.

The pin is bigger at at 4.44mm, not only is it shorter but the middle plate is a press fit thus supporting the
pin over its length. The material is also an automotive quality chromised steel for better wear reduction.
Finally it is lighter at at.95kg per mt as against triplex at 1.17 kg/mt, lessening centrifugal wear.

Iwis stopped making triplex some years ago in its own brand and now markets an Elite chain, which I will
not sell. If you can find triplex stamped Renold UK or Renold England buy it. I will not name and shame but
most dealers work on profit while I like to sleep at night.

For those still wanting triplex I do a Spanish chain that works well on Vincents, and they give chain a hard life,
but in my opinion it is not as good as the old Renold and iwis but better than most triplex on the market.

Finally I will say one thing, the cost of Renold and the Spanish chain is around £50 there are people selling
triplex at around £20............work it out.

All the best

Andy

For all those that have nodded off shame on you.

Andy,

I assume you need new sprockets?

Nope just run on inside 2 rows of teeth, nothing needs changing.

Andy

chasbmw said:

Andy,

I assume you need new sprockets?

Click to expand...

If you are takling about the duplex, I might think that you could run it with oem sprocket and clutch basket. Just run it on the inboard tracks.

Maybe Andy should start a new thread on chains rather than let it hide here :?

Jean

Thanks for the info Andy