chain drive
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,042
Likes: 12,326
From: Arkansas
Along with not having to remove the entire primary and taking the swingarm loose.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
I like a belt on the new stuff, but a modern chain is not much hassle. Use a good quality o-ring chain and your lubing is limited to wiping down the sideplates with WD40 or similar. That's mainly to keep it from rusting. Not much gets thrown off of the chain because there isn't much on it to throw.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
You can get them nickel plated(looks like chrome) cad plated gold, or powder coated in a mirage of colors...so rust is not even an issue.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
What'll they think of next?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 2
From: Pacific NorthWest Territory
The only reason to "lube" modern o-ring chains is to keep the o-rings in good shape. The chain fails soon after the o-rings get compromised and then the rollers lose their packed lube.
A modern o-ring chain should be good for 20k miles with proper care. A belt should go 100k?
But this forum is more about what looks good ... I have a great looking chain with gold side-plates on one of my Ducatis!
A modern o-ring chain should be good for 20k miles with proper care. A belt should go 100k?
But this forum is more about what looks good ... I have a great looking chain with gold side-plates on one of my Ducatis!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Chains are much stronger, so if you're running a high HP motor, that's an advantage. You can also run a sprotor brake setup so you can show off your fancy rear wheel on the right side. Other than that, it's really just for looks or personal preference. Let's face it, a lot of mods done to Harley's are to just to make the bike look cooler, and have no real useful purpose other than that.
I'll probably do a chain conversion at some point just to clean up the rear of the bike some more. My bike is really stripped down to the bare essentials, so i'd like to take it that much further once i'm able to ($$$).
I'll probably do a chain conversion at some point just to clean up the rear of the bike some more. My bike is really stripped down to the bare essentials, so i'd like to take it that much further once i'm able to ($$$).
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
This is what I'm looking for a good discussion on it other than why do u want to do it but here are the draw backs to running chain and here are the draw backs to running belts one hand belts last longer but are a bi**h to change. Chains don't last as long but are cool to look at clean up the rear end and are easy to change compared to the belts. My next question is with the rotor part of the sproket how do u lube the chain w/o getting oil on it and if u do how does it effect brakeing its got to some how
thanks for the input
thanks for the input
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 38
From: Linden, NC
Last edited by Weevil; May 17, 2011 at 04:41 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Pikesville Md
This just isn't true with a modern o-ring chain. The only purpose of lube is to keep the rollers on the chain moving freely. O-ring chains have lube on the inside of the rollers and the o-rings keep it from getting out. I never lube my chain. I check the rollers once a year and if any are stiff I replace the chain. I usually get 3-5 years out of a chain depending on how much rain I get caught in. After the initial stretch of a new chain it needs very little adjustment. And I can change the chain in less than ten minutes...try that with a belt.
