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The belt to chain drive conversion thread

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Old May 15, 2015 | 03:06 AM
  #31  
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Thread not dead. Parts are trickling in.


1) Fast arrival award winner goes to Vulcan Engineering who got the spacer to me in two days! Good tracking info too.


2) Over and above award goes to PBI who sent a beautiful black-zinc 55T flat sprocket, with the best ordering system and tracking notifications ever, then I found the sprocket triple-packed for protection, and the box filled with PBI swag...... hat, decals, etc. Wow, what a pro company.


3) Heartland sent me a pulley/sprocket nut wrench, fast as always.


4) Good guy award goes to Justin from Dynamic Dyna. He called me personally after my order to discuss my parts and send out his thoughts on this conversion. A few notes he stated:

* He prefers to run Aluminum rear sprockets (PBI) as they are lighter and more tame on creating chain stretch & heat. He clearly stated a Alum sprocket needs correct wheel alignment and chain tension to live long and prosper. He noted most worn Alum sprockets are from running the wheel (thus chain) off track or running the chain too tight.

** He noted that on my 2015 FXDL a .500" (1/2) rear spacer is correct, as most of the +06 Dyna use a .500" spacer with a .500" offset front sprocket, but followed that statement with < OF COURSE chain alignment must be verified by the installer.

*** He gave me detailed instructions on how to set the correct chain tension on a Dyna, with the suspension at near full compression (remove 1 shock - weight bike) as that is the tightest point of swingarm travel arc. Good to know!!


After a good amount of detailed discussion with him he then stated he felt comfortable with sending me the parts from his shop. He stated he did not want to send anything incorrect for my conversion. He was very thoughtful.


5) Rest of parts should be here next week, then comes the pics and install notes.



>>
 
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Old May 15, 2015 | 12:18 PM
  #32  
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I did mine last year. On a 2011 used the .875 rear spacer from Vulcan chain alignment is mint.
I pieced it together because I have a cousin in a parts department who gives me dealer cost on everything from Drag. Without the discount the price of the kits is pretty much equal.
 
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Old May 15, 2015 | 01:32 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by DoubleZ
I did mine last year. On a 2011 used the .875 rear spacer from Vulcan chain alignment is mint.
I pieced it together because I have a cousin in a parts department who gives me dealer cost on everything from Drag. Without the discount the price of the kits is pretty much equal.
Well you are the second person to state .875" is correct, yet two vendors state .500" is correct. This is confusing.
 
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Old May 16, 2015 | 06:12 AM
  #34  
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deleted duplicate post.
 

Last edited by fat_tony; May 16, 2015 at 07:16 AM. Reason: deleted
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Old May 16, 2015 | 06:21 AM
  #35  
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deleted
 

Last edited by fat_tony; May 17, 2015 at 12:01 PM. Reason: deleted
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Old May 16, 2015 | 07:55 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by fat_tony
1) Remember changing the gearing does not change the dyno results measured at the rear wheel, it just moves the optimum shift points around.
You don't think it changes how quickly you get to speed?
 
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Old May 16, 2015 | 04:46 PM
  #37  
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Per the first post of this thread:

** Please refrain from comments and opinions regarding the merits of belts vs. chains... PLEASE **

I'd like to keep this subject specific to the install of a chain drive setup on a Dyna, regardless of personal preference.

Thanks, Lama





-
 
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Old May 16, 2015 | 09:07 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Lama
Per the first post of this thread:

** Please refrain from comments and opinions regarding the merits of belts vs. chains... PLEASE **

I'd like to keep this subject specific to the install of a chain drive setup on a Dyna, regardless of personal preference.

Thanks, Lama
-
OK, sorry.
I went with a Zippers kit to give my tire clearance from the drive belt. I got a very good price with shipping. All I had to do was install it. Everything fit properly and the components were top notch.
I got one of those laser chain alignment tools. Made for no guess work. And ya, the alignment holes on the swing arm were off, way off. Don't use those.
 
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Old May 16, 2015 | 10:15 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by fxdlx
OK, sorry.
I went with a Zippers kit to give my tire clearance from the drive belt. I got a very good price with shipping. All I had to do was install it. Everything fit properly and the components were top notch.
I got one of those laser chain alignment tools. Made for no guess work. And ya, the alignment holes on the swing arm were off, way off. Don't use those.
FXDlX, since you have a 5spd / 1999 Dyna, can you give us the measurement of your rear sprocket spacer thickness for help with the members here who have early bikes? Thanks





...
 
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Old May 17, 2015 | 12:14 AM
  #40  
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Just go to Zippers website. They have the specs for their kits.
I got 1/2" offset front sprocket and a dished rear sprocket. No spacer.
 
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