Cush drive chain conversion kit
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,822
From: Oklahoma
NOTICE: The OP includes NO POWER CLAIMS, just asks a question. Yes, chains are easier to replace on the road BUT are not maintenance free. Sprockets eventually wear out and changing the front sprocket would be just as labor intensive as changing the belt and probably needed at about the same mileage. While O ring chains are an improvement over old style chains, they will still need to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted more frequently than the belt. If a chain breaks, it can destroy the transmission when a loose end jams somewhere. The reasons the industry changed away from chains have become less well known as belts have been in use for a long time now. Chains have some built in advantages and built in disadvantages. The same can be said for belts. Weigh the pros and cons and make your own decision based on what is best for YOUR individual situation. From some of you old timers, how about some information on what chain care is all about. My 55+ year experience includes only gear drive scooters and shaft drive motorcycles, until my first Harley. Now 93,000 miles on an 08 Road King and the belt is doing fine. Your experience may vary.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Congrats to btsom for chipping in with some common sense! I've also been riding for over 50 years, done way over half a million miles in all-year round riding and broken only one chain, fortunately without serious damage. I gave up carrying a spare link many years ago. Having owned belt drive Harleys almost 30 years I've never broken one and only replaced one due to severe stone damage. But then I ride with every intention of doing so again tomorrow, not as if today is my last ride!
Back to the OP's question.....
Back to the OP's question.....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,356
Likes: 887
From: san diego
Chain. Looks great, lots of gearing adjustments available, gotta keep up with the lube though, makes the bike look tougher, great for high hp application, can replace without taking covers off
Belt- great for low hp. Have to take covers off to replace, looks old man style , not messy and no lube needed
Both have positive and negatives. It's preference. If chains are old tech. Then why do so many performance bikes run chain?
Vulcan is a great kit for the money. It's not as attractive as a mjk setup but is way less spendy and get you into running a nice chain conversion
If I had the bucks I would be chain drive even on my stock 107
Belt- great for low hp. Have to take covers off to replace, looks old man style , not messy and no lube needed
Both have positive and negatives. It's preference. If chains are old tech. Then why do so many performance bikes run chain?
Vulcan is a great kit for the money. It's not as attractive as a mjk setup but is way less spendy and get you into running a nice chain conversion
If I had the bucks I would be chain drive even on my stock 107
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
As for why sports bikes still use a chain, most of them use high revving engines and rely on the secondary drive to do much of the drive ratio reduction, between crankshaft and rear wheel. A belt can only bend around quite large diameter pulleys, unlike a chain. On my Buell Firebolt however the belt is just fine, is it keeps its revs down to sensible levels!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,326
Likes: 56,888
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Pretty sure the OP won't be responding to this thread ... His original inquiry was over two years ago ... That being said ... I ride with a guy that has a Pro Charger and 165 hp ... Chains are a must for him as he pretty much thrashes the scooter ... His scooter, his money but he sure does have a smile on his mug when he's "exercising" his wrist ( no, not that way )
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