Should I Go Chain Drive?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 4
From: delaware
I ride an 07 fxdb with chain conversion. Honestly its worth it. Not hard to install and can save you a headache down the road when your belt decides to tear. Easy to shorten/ replace and will last longer if maintained.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
I did a chain conversion on my 99. Wanted the look amd thought it would save me a bit of space when I bumped up my tire width to 180-200.
No regrets but it isn't the right choice for most, IMO.
Belts will handle all but the most abusive riding and power levels found on the street and will last FAR longer doing it as long as you keep both guards in place and stay away from gravel. Alignment and maintenance is also less critical with a belt.
If you like cleaning, tweaking, and wrenching...and don't mind spending $150+ every 20k-odd miles for replacement chain & sprocket(s), go for it.
Yes, some few folks will claim a chain will last forever or that belts will blow out every year. Neither is typical.
No regrets but it isn't the right choice for most, IMO.
Belts will handle all but the most abusive riding and power levels found on the street and will last FAR longer doing it as long as you keep both guards in place and stay away from gravel. Alignment and maintenance is also less critical with a belt.
If you like cleaning, tweaking, and wrenching...and don't mind spending $150+ every 20k-odd miles for replacement chain & sprocket(s), go for it.
Yes, some few folks will claim a chain will last forever or that belts will blow out every year. Neither is typical.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 1,068
From: Ohio
that’s good for you! 
Rhetorical question(I don’t have interest in knowing your answer, no disrespect):
What is hard miles for you? Do you think you put enough stress on the belt on your riding style?
A perfectly healthy belt is good and strong, no doubt, but a small tear could end its life.
You need to take in mind that belts are made out of reinforced rubber, and rubber flex. Power loss right there. It’s just a shame if one are upgrading their engine for power and lose the gains right there. The throttle response is better also.
Im not hating on belts and I like the maintenance free aspect of them. If belts could be near as strong and has the performance of chain and super easy to replace on the dyna(primary) I for sure gonna switch back to belt.
Rhetorical question(I don’t have interest in knowing your answer, no disrespect):
What is hard miles for you? Do you think you put enough stress on the belt on your riding style?
A perfectly healthy belt is good and strong, no doubt, but a small tear could end its life.
You need to take in mind that belts are made out of reinforced rubber, and rubber flex. Power loss right there. It’s just a shame if one are upgrading their engine for power and lose the gains right there. The throttle response is better also.
Im not hating on belts and I like the maintenance free aspect of them. If belts could be near as strong and has the performance of chain and super easy to replace on the dyna(primary) I for sure gonna switch back to belt.
Power loss from belt flex is (in an industrial setting) roughly 9% at peak torque. For a chain, it's about 3%. I'm sorry, but there's no way you notice the difference between the two on the road. Plus if you ride a lot, you can't argue for cost savings because like Chris said, you'll be replacing your chain and sprockets every 15-20k miles.
Basically what this is saying is that because of resistance caused by the pre-tension on the belt from the get go, a chain is more efficient in the time before the resistance of the two become equal.
Last edited by brownie4412; Nov 18, 2020 at 08:30 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I did a chain conversion on my 99. Wanted the look amd thought it would save me a bit of space when I bumped up my tire width to 180-200.
No regrets but it isn't the right choice for most, IMO.
Belts will handle all but the most abusive riding and power levels found on the street and will last FAR longer doing it as long as you keep both guards in place and stay away from gravel. Alignment and maintenance is also less critical with a belt.
If you like cleaning, tweaking, and wrenching...and don't mind spending $150+ every 20k-odd miles for replacement chain & sprocket(s), go for it.
Yes, some few folks will claim a chain will last forever or that belts will blow out every year. Neither is typical.
No regrets but it isn't the right choice for most, IMO.
Belts will handle all but the most abusive riding and power levels found on the street and will last FAR longer doing it as long as you keep both guards in place and stay away from gravel. Alignment and maintenance is also less critical with a belt.
If you like cleaning, tweaking, and wrenching...and don't mind spending $150+ every 20k-odd miles for replacement chain & sprocket(s), go for it.
Yes, some few folks will claim a chain will last forever or that belts will blow out every year. Neither is typical.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Nov 18, 2020 at 08:40 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,115
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Yeah I though I was building a monster motor and need a chain and besides the $350.00 cost it was a pain in the *** to keep lubed and adjusted. I went back to an S&S 1 1/8" belt and never had an issue with breakage. Set to 1/4" at 10 lbs. I'm only 114 tq and 111 hp. I did break 2, 1" belts but that was because I set the tension to 1/'2 " at 10 lbs... TwiZted suggested I set it to 1/4" and I'm still good. I have a set up I will sell you if you want for $200.. I'll never use it again. Like new D.I.D. chain with I believe a 23/51 sprockets.. And trust me I did not baby my bike... BUT what I did do was shear my crank pin...
