Changing to a Chain - How tough?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
Chain conversion not to hard. You might want to put a torq arm (also called race arm and some other names) if you jump on the throttle a lot. With an Evo and that much power the motor will twist and the lower case will crack (over time) around the area the inner primary attaches. Thiscan happen if you pull a trailer with your bike also.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 16
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
The chain drives of old were a Pain In the A with the dirt bike chain lube they sold.
Times have changed and it aint that bad now.Put it on the lift and spin it freely when lubing it up,let it set for a few and wipe off the excess.It lubes the plates and O -rings and dosent sling it all over when you ride.I have a belt on the 06 and a chain on the 84.Both are trouble free.
Times have changed and it aint that bad now.Put it on the lift and spin it freely when lubing it up,let it set for a few and wipe off the excess.It lubes the plates and O -rings and dosent sling it all over when you ride.I have a belt on the 06 and a chain on the 84.Both are trouble free.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
ORIGINAL: AK97fxdwg...no one actually adressed the original issue, how much of a pain is the actual change-over going to be? The wrenching aspect of the change to chain?..
Your gonna need to get the bike up on a stand so you can start pulling things off the left side: outer/inner primary, then the transmission drive pulley. If you've never been into the primarys, you'll need a 'tool' to hold the two sprockets while you remove the nuts. And they are on damn tight...Along with thedrive pulley. An impact is almost a necessity, and having a couple torque wrenches is definitely a requirement. I'm assuming you alsoinstalled a heavy duty clutch pack with the Big Motor? If not, it's best to do that right now. The stock clutch is gonna go bye-bye with that much hp/tq and a 'need to use it' wrist. You'llobviously have to replace the gasketswhen you reassemble.
Naturally, you'll also need to pull the rear wheel/tire. And remove the rear belt pulley, which may or may not be easy...Depending onhow the machine screws come out. I'm not certain about the Dyna's, but I know changing a belt on my Electraglide is a royal pain, cause ya gotta take the swingarm out. But since you're converting to chain, you can just cut the belt, if necessary. You'll also need some sort of means to measure the rear axle when you re-assemble so it isn't cocked. The FSM probably has a diagram of a tool you can make out of some welding rod and a rubber grommet.
The whole 'project' shouldn't more than a Saturday for the 'average' guy working in his garage. If he's got the tools. I know from two prior experiences that the dealer's charge 4 hours labor to replace/tighten the transmission drive pulley (which is basically what you're doing). So I'd add another couple hours for the rear wheel, and beer breaks.
It's unfortunate that you didn't make the belt to chain decision at the time you put the motor/trans in the bike. Personally, I'd check the adjustment on the existing belt, run ituntil I shred it. Then go through the conversion.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
Something else to remember is sprocket life. Chains are a lot tougher than sprockets. Back in my Superbike days from the early '80s I usually had to change the front sprocket every 15-20k miles.
MikeyB
MikeyB
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ak-Tenn
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
ORIGINAL: Hackd
I'm not certain whether of not you did all the work so forgive me if you did, but then if you had, you wouldn't be asking that particular question.
Your gonna need to get the bike up on a stand so you can start pulling things off the left side: outer/inner primary, then the transmission drive pulley. If you've never been into the primarys, you'll need a 'tool' to hold the two sprockets while you remove the nuts. And they are on damn tight...Along with thedrive pulley. An impact is almost a necessity, and having a couple torque wrenches is definitely a requirement. I'm assuming you alsoinstalled a heavy duty clutch pack with the Big Motor? If not, it's best to do that right now. The stock clutch is gonna go bye-bye with that much hp/tq and a 'need to use it' wrist. You'llobviously have to replace the gasketswhen you reassemble.
Naturally, you'll also need to pull the rear wheel/tire. And remove the rear belt pulley, which may or may not be easy...Depending onhow the machine screws come out. I'm not certain about the Dyna's, but I know changing a belt on my Electraglide is a royal pain, cause ya gotta take the swingarm out. But since you're converting to chain, you can just cut the belt, if necessary. You'll also need some sort of means to measure the rear axle when you re-assemble so it isn't cocked. The FSM probably has a diagram of a tool you can make out of some welding rod and a rubber grommet.
The whole 'project' shouldn't more than a Saturday for the 'average' guy working in his garage. If he's got the tools. I know from two prior experiences that the dealer's charge 4 hours labor to replace/tighten the transmission drive pulley (which is basically what you're doing). So I'd add another couple hours for the rear wheel, and beer breaks.
It's unfortunate that you didn't make the belt to chain decision at the time you put the motor/trans in the bike. Personally, I'd check the adjustment on the existing belt, run ituntil I shred it. Then go through the conversion.
ORIGINAL: AK97fxdwg...no one actually adressed the original issue, how much of a pain is the actual change-over going to be? The wrenching aspect of the change to chain?..
Your gonna need to get the bike up on a stand so you can start pulling things off the left side: outer/inner primary, then the transmission drive pulley. If you've never been into the primarys, you'll need a 'tool' to hold the two sprockets while you remove the nuts. And they are on damn tight...Along with thedrive pulley. An impact is almost a necessity, and having a couple torque wrenches is definitely a requirement. I'm assuming you alsoinstalled a heavy duty clutch pack with the Big Motor? If not, it's best to do that right now. The stock clutch is gonna go bye-bye with that much hp/tq and a 'need to use it' wrist. You'llobviously have to replace the gasketswhen you reassemble.
Naturally, you'll also need to pull the rear wheel/tire. And remove the rear belt pulley, which may or may not be easy...Depending onhow the machine screws come out. I'm not certain about the Dyna's, but I know changing a belt on my Electraglide is a royal pain, cause ya gotta take the swingarm out. But since you're converting to chain, you can just cut the belt, if necessary. You'll also need some sort of means to measure the rear axle when you re-assemble so it isn't cocked. The FSM probably has a diagram of a tool you can make out of some welding rod and a rubber grommet.
The whole 'project' shouldn't more than a Saturday for the 'average' guy working in his garage. If he's got the tools. I know from two prior experiences that the dealer's charge 4 hours labor to replace/tighten the transmission drive pulley (which is basically what you're doing). So I'd add another couple hours for the rear wheel, and beer breaks.
It's unfortunate that you didn't make the belt to chain decision at the time you put the motor/trans in the bike. Personally, I'd check the adjustment on the existing belt, run ituntil I shred it. Then go through the conversion.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
It sounds to me like your belt is not adjusted and your pulleys are worn out.Several of my friends having been running belts and NO problems ever.One friend has a 155" Bourget with 35,000+ miles no problems.Zippers has a belt to chain conversion kit,and without certain tools it can be a pain to convert it over.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ak-Tenn
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
ORIGINAL: dog155
It sounds to me like your belt is not adjusted and your pulleys are worn out.Several of my friends having been running belts and NO problems ever.One friend has a 155" Bourget with 35,000+ miles no problems.Zippers has a belt to chain conversion kit,and without certain tools it can be a pain to convert it over.
It sounds to me like your belt is not adjusted and your pulleys are worn out.Several of my friends having been running belts and NO problems ever.One friend has a 155" Bourget with 35,000+ miles no problems.Zippers has a belt to chain conversion kit,and without certain tools it can be a pain to convert it over.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
on my Sporty, I had to change sprockets, Front and rear of course, Offset on both. That was about it. I got a good O-Ring chain, not much mess, a little at first. Had to keep a close eye on tension first few runs out. After that i just Keep check from time to time.
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Joined: May 2007
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From:
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
I did mine on this FXWG, just used 85 softail parts as you need a chain drive starter housing
No big deal as all parts still available on Ebay, I managed to by NOS oem parts for mine
No big deal as all parts still available on Ebay, I managed to by NOS oem parts for mine
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 376
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From:
RE: Changing to a Chain - How tough?
I did the change to chain because I was spinning the belt at the strip and I wanted different gearing.
A good service manual is the way to go to remove and re install the primary. Not a big deal really.
You WILL need a special tool to remove/install the trans belt pulley nut.
I would look at upping the clutch like to better spring and new plates at least.
I run an open Primo.
I also have a Carlini torque arm to tie the right side engine to the trans. But in all reality that huge motor plate on the Primo doesnt allow much flex.
As for reliability or maintenance....
I have hundreds of runs and tons of road miles. Only adjusted the chain maybe twice and no oil on the wheel because of the sealed "O" ring chain. Use light oil on it applied with a rag every so often.
You'll never wear out a front chanring they are big time steel, I run an aluminum rear and it looks new.
A good service manual is the way to go to remove and re install the primary. Not a big deal really.
You WILL need a special tool to remove/install the trans belt pulley nut.
I would look at upping the clutch like to better spring and new plates at least.
I run an open Primo.
I also have a Carlini torque arm to tie the right side engine to the trans. But in all reality that huge motor plate on the Primo doesnt allow much flex.
As for reliability or maintenance....
I have hundreds of runs and tons of road miles. Only adjusted the chain maybe twice and no oil on the wheel because of the sealed "O" ring chain. Use light oil on it applied with a rag every so often.
You'll never wear out a front chanring they are big time steel, I run an aluminum rear and it looks new.
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