The only reason I can see to go with Chain Drive is to allow a wider tire. But even now, there are narrow belts but not as narrow as a chain.

 

Hey, I'm a liberal and I ordered my 1991 with a chain (and in Vivid Black), came with the Standard Model back then. I certainly did not want one of those "new fangled" belts that came on a Deluxe or 1200!!!. I've got a 530 RK X-ring chain, and use BelRay Super Clean Chain Lube. Rarely have to adjust with a quality chain and it stays clean, not like the old PJ1 Black I used previously.

John

 

 

I've run a chain for the last 20k-25k miles or so (just over a year). Not because of power, but because the way I ride I can't afford to have a belt **** out on me in the middle of nowhere (before anyone says otherwise, I've seen and had it happen). It turns a long weekend in to a disaster because you hit a stone on that gravel road 4 miles back....try finding a dealer that stocks a belt. Not gonna happen unless the stars align.

If you want sprockets, I can tell you what to get for your 2001. No need to change spacers or anything. Just front and rear sprocket and a chain. Takes a 108 link with a 23t/48t combo. Front PBI 283 sprocket (pick your tooth count) and a rear flat sprocket. 530 chain. You'll need different bolts to bolt the rear sprocket in because the sprocket is thinner than the belt pulley.

I'm using the rear sprocket they sell on Lowbrow Customs (it's an aluminum one made out of a company in TN, but it's cheaper on lowbrow) and it's got as many miles on it as I've had a chain. Very well made.

Use a nice x-ring chain. I wear out a standard chain in about 4500 miles and it needs adjusted every 300 or so. Running 10k+ on an x-ring and counting. Only 1 adjustment needed so far. Lube often and liberally. Non-compensated v-twin is hard on a chain.

 

Swap to the chain if you feel like vigorously scrubbing your rear wheel all the time...never liked that about my Ninja 650. Something that can be taken for granted when owning a bike with belt drive. Never makes a mess and don't have to lubricate it either.

 

Best thing I ever did to my old shovel was a rear belt conversion and it dealt with enough of a horsepower increase I spun the output shaft in the flywheel instead of the belt giving it up with my happy hand.

 

 

Another BIG plus for belt drive on a Sportster is near zero driveline lash, that makes it much easier to ride smoothly when on and off the throttle compared to a chain drive bike.

 

I haven't owned a bike with an exposed drive chain since the 1970s! They are just SO last Century. Belts have actually been around for over thirty years now and there are big twin owners running them on far more powerful bikes than we can turn a Sporty into. The Chains v Belts debate is a bit like two-party politics! Ya makes your choice.....