Chain drive conversion ???
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 965
Likes: 316
From: Nevada
I've never really noticed the noise so much,and usually,with a quality chain,they don't stretch much.I really don't mind a chain.Breaking a belt on the Softy makes me worry.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
the chain kits for Sportsters are easy to find, but the year of the bike matters, there are kits for rubber mounted XL, there are kits for earlier bikes, just look good before you order, because sprockets are different...
I went the chain kit route a while ago, indeed much less money than a belt, a weekly oiling in my case is enough to keep it working properly, I use gear box oil (80W90). The chain kits I let put on my bike last +/- 15,000 miles...
I went the chain kit route a while ago, indeed much less money than a belt, a weekly oiling in my case is enough to keep it working properly, I use gear box oil (80W90). The chain kits I let put on my bike last +/- 15,000 miles...
Last edited by Proteus; Nov 10, 2015 at 07:13 AM.
You have two sides to the coin.
Belt, low maintenance, but expensive to replace.
Chain, more noise, a little more cleaning, but a lot less expensive.
I have a Honda X11 which is chain driven, never found it a problem, the key to have an easy life to a chain it getting the back wheel off the ground via a lift or centre stand, 5 mins cleaning, hardly ever need to adjust it, and the X11 is a torque monster.
Belt, low maintenance, but expensive to replace.
Chain, more noise, a little more cleaning, but a lot less expensive.
I have a Honda X11 which is chain driven, never found it a problem, the key to have an easy life to a chain it getting the back wheel off the ground via a lift or centre stand, 5 mins cleaning, hardly ever need to adjust it, and the X11 is a torque monster.
why is a belt expensive to replace? chains are nonsense... the "official" / "old school" look nonsense again. goatee, converse, tats.... cliche fails
i know i'm being a jerk. i'm ashamed....
Last edited by cvaria; Nov 10, 2015 at 11:30 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
In my case, I had to replace my belt at 30,000 miles, as it was completely worn out, it was, as a matter of facts, the rear pulley which was heavily pitted by the salt during the winter. A belt kit costs 500 over here
A chain kit costs 170, for 15,000 miles lasting.
So, money wise, chains kits are no nonsense...
A chain kit costs 170, for 15,000 miles lasting.
So, money wise, chains kits are no nonsense...
In my case, I had to replace my belt at 30,000 miles, as it was completely worn out, it was, as a matter of facts, the rear pulley which was heavily pitted by the salt during the winter. A belt kit costs 500 over here
A chain kit costs 170, for 15,000 miles lasting.
So, money wise, chains kits are no nonsense...
A chain kit costs 170, for 15,000 miles lasting.
So, money wise, chains kits are no nonsense...
they were both shot?are you running your belt guards?
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From: San Diego, CA
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
No, I did not, I bought a chain kit
the rear pulley was that shot, it probably would have ruined my next belt. And yes, the belt guards were present.
I'm riding 200 days a year, riding 100 miles to my work and back, I live above the rust belt, riding on salty roads during the winter, this probably explains that.
I rode almost 70k miles in three years and a half, my belt was changed at 30k miles, I'm on my second chain kit for now...
the rear pulley was that shot, it probably would have ruined my next belt. And yes, the belt guards were present.
I'm riding 200 days a year, riding 100 miles to my work and back, I live above the rust belt, riding on salty roads during the winter, this probably explains that.
I rode almost 70k miles in three years and a half, my belt was changed at 30k miles, I'm on my second chain kit for now...
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