Feedback on converting to chain drive with a S&S 124 motor
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 869
Likes: 14
From: Long Island
Feedback on converting to chain drive with a S&S 124 motor
Can I get some feedback on pros and cons to converting from a belt drive to chain drive if installing a 124 motor into a Dyna? Or is that one of the 1st things that should be done if installing a large displacement motor like that?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Belt drive was one of the best innovations to come along. Pretty much maintenance free, clean and quiet. Chain drive is regular maintenance (chain stretch,) regular lube, regular clean off all the lube thrown off the chain and noise. An S&S 124 should be just fine with the belt unless yer gonna be doing wheelies and burnout.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 166
Likes: 6
From: Chicago
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 869
Likes: 14
From: Long Island
Belt drive was one of the best innovations to come along. Pretty much maintenance free, clean and quiet. Chain drive is regular maintenance (chain stretch,) regular lube, regular clean off all the lube thrown off the chain and noise. An S&S 124 should be just fine with the belt unless yer gonna be doing wheelies and burnout.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 7,591
From: Poolville
The smart thing would be to try the belts before you switch anything over.. You have nothing to lose.. The most important thing is having a proper belt tension though.. It should handle it no problem I know a lot of people that are running big motors and still belts..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Belt drive + belts last forever...chain drives are messy, more maint, stretch & break easier. Until you posted this questions, I almost forgot about the old days of oiling, linking, fixing & tightening. Don't miss it...>.<
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 869
Likes: 14
From: Long Island
The smart thing would be to try the belts before you switch anything over.. You have nothing to lose.. The most important thing is having a proper belt tension though.. It should handle it no problem I know a lot of people that are running big motors and still belts..
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 869
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From: Long Island
Right now Im running the numbers on 3 scenarios to see what the costs are. Then to see whether a brand new S&S 124 with the additional components and 2 year warranty is worth buying instead of building a 110 motor without having to spit the case open to install a Timken bearing and do crank work. The cost wont be horrible since Im getting everything at dealer price from my MC bro. So far the cost difference between the S&S 124 with extra components and 110 build with extra components is between $2500-$2750. This is after I sell my 107. So I need to decide whether that cost difference is worth it with a 2 year warranty and a difference of what? 10-13hp and 7-10 ft lbs of torque
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: NW Ohio
Several years ago when I was researching my own chain conversion, very few 530 roller chains were recommended for even stock Big Twins (say, 110" down). No experience myself, but for a 124 I'd guess you're pretty much asking for chain/sprocket failure with anything smaller than a 630 if you plan to actually hook up that power to the ground.
Either way, I'd strongly suggest speaking with a few of the top chain and/or sprocket manufacturers to see what they have to say about sizing.
Either way, I'd strongly suggest speaking with a few of the top chain and/or sprocket manufacturers to see what they have to say about sizing.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 711
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From: .
Belt drive was one of the best innovations to come along. Pretty much maintenance free, clean and quiet. Chain drive is regular maintenance (chain stretch,) regular lube, regular clean off all the lube thrown off the chain and noise. An S&S 124 should be just fine with the belt unless yer gonna be doing wheelies and burnout.
Belt drive is not the best innovations to be honest. Especially not on harleys when the primary case covering the front sprocket. Its a lot of work to replace a failed belt vs a failed chain. If your motor is already out I would convert it to chain right away.
I know belts are strong but not stronger then chain, I also know that belts are convenient but not so convenient when your belt snaps and youre left stranded on the side of the road. You would be safe with chain. I wouldnt trust a belt with 124". Clean and lube it when youre washing your bike, it literally takes 5 minutes extra lol
