Is that thing? Having had both and riden on loooong trips with chain drive, washed my family’s chain drive, maintained.. , I’m trying to think of an advantage for chain. Nostalgia?
Didn’t realize riders did that.

 

Is that thing? Having had both and riden on loooong trips with chain drive, washed my family’s chain drive, maintained.. , I’m trying to think of an advantage for chain. Nostalgia?
Didn’t realize riders did that.

Dont really understand your comment but it's done for durability when running a high horsepower and torque motor

 

Rob,
I put 30k on a 124 with a belt with no issues.. The belt had 50k on it from the stock motor so 80K total.. I was also running a car tire out back as you are.. Pulled plenty of 3 gear holes hots on that bike and the belt was fine.. I wouldn't worry about the belt unless your going over 160+ Hp........

 

What about if I dump the clutch aggressively?

 

Belt out last chains many times over. Belts rarely break. many of us have put 70-100,000 miles on a belt. Maybe if you were build a super drag racer double chain maybe in order. belt is among the best things HD ever did.
Changed the belt on my 1996 FB last summer for one reason. It was apart already and decided after 24 years it was time.

 

Just as an example I have to post this also.
RGU with a twin classic sidecar. And it was ridden not sitting in a garage. Few here have seen that rig pushed hard. The bike spent many miles in snow,salt and sand. On gravel roads. No denying a sidecar and one that size puts stress on every part of the bike. I Changed belt at close to 40,000 for one reason . Peace of mind. It was just to add a little confidence that it would not be an issue on the road.
This rig stayed with traffic when average speed was 80 MPH . It ran every road in the Smokey's that any bike runs and many other roads. The belt was never an issue. 2015 Street with a sidecar that skinny factory belt still holding up.
For most riders one part of your Harley that is not a weak link is that belt. Like all parts of you bike inspect it replace before it becomes an issue.

 

The topic came up while having a few frosty beverages with some buddy's. This is not something that is set in stone. As of right now I'm just looking for the goods and bads from people that have done the conversion

 

In a nutshell only 2 main reasons to convert to chain drive.

1. Looks. Matching theme of the bike stylistically and color options of sprocket/chain.

2. Durability if you want to do hole shots/drag racing. In this case you better be upgrading all the drive components as well. Including the tranny and bottom end.

Normal riding does not really warrant going to chain on bigger Hp/Tq builds. If you put miles on the road you will like not having to keep up the maintenence on a chain drive.

 

all downsides to a chain on a touring bike imo... if I was building a bike for racing it wouldn't be a HD to begin with

i respect folks who enjoy building a so called "performance bagger" but at the end of the day they are turtles compared to any real sport bike... I personally chose to spend that upgrade $ on other motorcycles rather than trying to turn my glide into some type of race bike... I bought it to cruise in comfort which is what it's made for!

 

Very happy with mine.. I like to cruise in comfort and beat the piss out of it when the urge hits...

 

That looks sweet! Very cool.

 

Biggest "pro" for a chain, IMHO, is relative ease to change overall gearing.... my .02

 

It's for nostalgia and looks unless you're going to do burn outs and wheelies. There are other bikes for less money that come with a chain drive. Down side is waxing the chain on long trips. Constant chain inspection, cleaning and check for proper tension. Sprockets wear over time and need replacing. Imagine you are on a week long ride with your buds and getting ready to hit a mountan road and you have to say "hang on, I need to wax my chain. Can someone roll the bike while I remove one of the bags, get down on my knees and coat the chain?"
Been there, done that😣

 

It's for nostalgia and looks unless you're going to do burn outs and wheelies. There are other bikes for less money for that already having a chain drive. Down side is waxing the chain on long trips. Constant chain inspection, cleaning and check for proper tension. Sprockets wear over time and need replacing. Imagine you are on a week long ride with your buds and getting ready to hit a mountan road and you have to say "hang on, I need to wax my chain. Can someone roll the bike while I remove one of the bags, get down on my knees and coat the chain?"
Been there, done that.

 

🤣

 

I got a 1983 Shovel with a Andrews B grind, 10.5 to 1 pistons, 2002 fatboy carb and a Barnett Clutch that still running the original Factory belt final drive and the belt primary has be replaced once do to drag racing a KZ1000 Kawasaki (had him beat until the primary belt broke). That wide glide is one bad ass MC.

 

Where's the pics of it?

 

Folks- if belts are up to the task for bikes set up for performance wouldn't all race bikes of all forms have them? Even Buell"s changed to chain drive for the track. Chain drives save weight, let you change gearing to suit your application, and handle more power. Go to a dyno contest sometime that has high HP V-twins , you will see belt driven bikes smoke and skip the belt.

 

I’m a chain guy myself. I run a Zippers on the RGS and a Vulcan on the CVO. Vulcan is half the price of Zippers and there’s no difference in quality.

The RGS is armed with an S&S 124 and the CVO is S&S 128. Both are north of 140 hp and TQ. I’ve had no issues with either. I clean them both at 1000miles and lube them up.

Chains for me are better for adjusting gearing and handling high loads. When the CVO chops, I cruise 90 + all day. When I ride with a little gal pal that races Dyna’s I’m closer to 130-140 to keep up with her out here in the desert. The chains are quiet and are easy to adjust.

I added a dark horse comp to the CVO and I can tell a difference in how smooth and immediate the power is compared to stock and the RGS. If you’re going to do a chain conversion I would consider doing the comp as well. If you decide to do it PLEASE let me know. I have a code that will get you about $58 off the purchase price. Just DM me if you go that route.

As a side note, I ran a breather line and filter from Fueling and mounted it over the chain. I dont have an exhaust can on the left side. The drip will help keep the chain lubed up.

 

That vent over the chain is a great idea. May as well use the expended oil for something

 

IMHO to be sure, there are only two reasons to replace a belt with a chain.

1) Your scooter has enough power to snatch a belt apart, so you are forced to run a chain.

2) You want people to think that your scooter has too much power to run a belt. And you think that chain makes it look awesome.

 

There’s definitely people runni

Theres definitely people running chains for the “floss factor,” no doubt. I’ve seen belts snap on guys that really bang on their bikes. I’ve seen guys wheelie and do rolling burn outs on belts and they hold up just fine (for awhile at least). Absolutely nothing wrong with keeping a belt drive, so no belt hate here. 💪

I have a sporty that my dad gave me recently. It’s a 1250 with a race cam and bench flowed heads. It’s north of 100 hp and he slapped a chain on it. It’s super fast for a sporty. I don’t think the belt would have held up on her IMO. I’ve hurt some feelings ripping that thing because of the weight to power ratio.

Now, let’s talk about what the best oil is out there and get this party started. 🤣😂

Gonna go rip the 525SX in the desert today. You guys have an awesome day. At least you chain drive guys. 🤭🤣🤣

Don’t talk to me come July 🤣

 

There’s definitely people runni

Theres definitely people running chains for the “floss factor,” no doubt. I’ve seen belts snap on guys that really bang on their bikes. I’ve seen guys wheelie and do rolling burn outs on belts and they hold up just fine (for awhile at least). Absolutely nothing wrong with keeping a belt drive, so no belt hate here. 💪

I have a sporty that my dad gave me recently. It’s a 1250 with a race cam and bench flowed heads. It’s north of 100 hp and he slapped a chain on it. It’s super fast for a sporty. I don’t think the belt would have held up on her IMO. I’ve hurt some feelings ripping that thing because of the weight to power ratio.

Now, let’s talk about what the best oil is out there and get this party started. 🤣😂

Gonna go rip the 525SX in the desert today. You guys have an awesome day. At least you chain drive guys. 🤭🤣🤣



Don’t talk to me come July 🤣

I'm not sure what the torque rating on the belts is for real. But I never had enough to break one. I have snatched chains apart.

I've been putting a little north 125 pound foot through mine for going on three years now, and it's held up. The clutch didn't, and the rear axel didn't, but the belts is fine so far. I just upped the anti a little with a 30 tooth motor sprocket, but I don't think it will raise the load on the belt much.

 

Simmer down! The HD 131 kit doesn't require or recommend a chain...think about it...but there's ample knowledge that's posted, you get up to 150 or so, it might be something to think about... it's like back in the day, you bumped up your hotrod, but didn't run slicks, as it was badass, but not that badass...

 

Well after snapping 3 belts last year I definitely needed to go chain... But I ride very hard and use all the power.... Belts don’t like rolling burnouts and wheelies.. TRUST me!!! NO more issues... Lube every 500-1000 miles and check tension, takes 10 minutes to adjust....

 

I haven't broken a belt yet but I know it's going to be a matter of time because I too ride the bike hard and I'm not a small guy. I use every bit of power the engine has

 

If you are racing or going off road then a chain may be ok. I had 2 bikes with chains...will never go back to that. My shovel chain broke at 65 one day and flew out like a bull whip on the freeway. Thank God Nobody was near me. I take care of my stuff but unless you like maintenance and checking stuff religiously I'd personally avoid it. If you have a torque monster or something then maybe and if you don't ride it all the time. My 2cents.
My 124 runs and pulls beautifully with the belt. Never had a problem and I tour. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

If you are racing or going off road then a chain may be ok. I had 2 bikes with chains...will never go back to that. My shovel chain broke at 65 one day and flew out like a bull whip on the freeway. Thank God Nobody was near me. I take care of my stuff but unless you like maintenance and checking stuff religiously I'd personally avoid it. If you have a torque monster or something then maybe and if you don't ride it all the time. My 2cents.
My 124 runs and pulls beautifully with the belt. Never had a problem and I tour. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Its not the most powerful thing on the road but my 124 is making 150tq and I beat it like a red headed stepchild. I think it's just a matter of time before the belt does grow wings.

 

My son recently converted his Sporty to a chain drive and you don’t even hear it. It flings crap all over the right side of the rear wheel, but its a Sportster so whatever, lol……..