Chain drive conversion
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 17
From: Belmont, MI
Hmm, No noise, I've adjusted my chain twice in the last 15K+ miles, lube it a couple times a year with chain wax, and the brake caliper side of my rear wheel is much dirtier than the chain side...and that's with low dust pads.
Last edited by Egldr05; Jul 10, 2016 at 08:45 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 17
From: Belmont, MI
For me running a 120" motor (and I like to use it) I like the peace of mind it gives me when I'm far from home or a dealer. If I should break a chain (not likely) I can fix it on the side of the road in a half hour. Break a belt while on a trip you're looking at a tow plus most likely a $700+ bill.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I'm gonna go out on a limb her and say that he is probably building an engine that's gonna snap a belt in little or no time, at all.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
Chains now. No noise. No mess. Some of us are putting 150-200hp+ to rear wheel and belts are pretty marginal. Plus chains let us run bigger rear tire with more clearance .. But I don't think the OP asked about opinions on belts. Just chains.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
People that say this have never had a bike with a modern o-ring chain.
First, o-ring chains do not need to be lubricated, just occasionally cleaned...the lube is inside the rollers, and the o-rings keep it from getting out...putting lube on the outside just attracts dirt and wears the chain out sooner.
After the break-in stretch, they require very little adjustment..I adjust mine once a year.
If you can hear the chain over the exhaust...you need louder exhaust
First, o-ring chains do not need to be lubricated, just occasionally cleaned...the lube is inside the rollers, and the o-rings keep it from getting out...putting lube on the outside just attracts dirt and wears the chain out sooner.
After the break-in stretch, they require very little adjustment..I adjust mine once a year.
If you can hear the chain over the exhaust...you need louder exhaust
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Reason I want a chain is that I don't want to be stuck along the road on a trip with a broken belt. Chain I can fix along the road. And I've seen lots of bikes snap belts putting out less power then I plan to put out. I snapped a belt before on an 04 that had a wider belt. And, I was only at 130hp/tq. I don't want to worry about snapping a belt so I'm going to chain since I got everything apart. I'm planning to be in the 160 hp/tq range.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
I have owned all three variations, old series chains with engine drip oilers, o-ring chains, and belt drives. Had a friend with a nitrous set up on a built S&S engine, could wipe teeth off a belt(using N wrong). belts require removal of primary to fix, chains do not, chains AND belts require periodic inspection and adjustments, chains will not stone cut as a belt can and has been seen by me.
If I had a preference, and expense not so high I would go back to chain, just so I could change it at home in the thirty minutes the old ones took when it became worn out. O-ring chains do need external lube where the sprocket contact is but there are dry lubes out there much better than oils.
If I had a preference, and expense not so high I would go back to chain, just so I could change it at home in the thirty minutes the old ones took when it became worn out. O-ring chains do need external lube where the sprocket contact is but there are dry lubes out there much better than oils.
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