Chain Drive
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Georgia
Chain Drive
Guys, Have any of you guys made a change to chain drive? Several companies, Zippers,
Baker have kits/parts available to change over. I would like to put a larger tire/wheel combo. on a 03 FLHT but don't want to spend the money that FBI and some of the other guys want for a kit. I realize the down side of chains, noise-keep oiled-harder to keep bike clean,etc. It might be a bad decision, thats why I need input. Thanks Gary
Baker have kits/parts available to change over. I would like to put a larger tire/wheel combo. on a 03 FLHT but don't want to spend the money that FBI and some of the other guys want for a kit. I realize the down side of chains, noise-keep oiled-harder to keep bike clean,etc. It might be a bad decision, thats why I need input. Thanks Gary
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
I never learned to love getting my trouser legs oiled down, so I don't have any interest in going back to a chain drive.
What's your motivation for getting a chain drive? I see no advantage. Yes, you can carry extra links for roadside repairs of the chain, but, on the other hand, the belts are nearly indestructible and you could always carry an extra belt if you felt the need. Unless you just like the look of a chain drive, I'd pass.
What's your motivation for getting a chain drive? I see no advantage. Yes, you can carry extra links for roadside repairs of the chain, but, on the other hand, the belts are nearly indestructible and you could always carry an extra belt if you felt the need. Unless you just like the look of a chain drive, I'd pass.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 13
From: Broken Bow Oklahoma
I made the change
last winter because of stone damage to the belt. the only thing is, I can't find a chain guard to fit my 06 egc. the mess is not too bad if you turn the H-D chain lube can upside down and mash the button to let some of the pressure out, before you apply the lube. then let it soak for a wile, and then wipe the chain clean before the ride. I do this two times just to be sure that its clean and lubed deep into the rollers. and not very much lube goes flying. a bike jack is a must have also. now I can go to the end of the trail to find peace and quiet. by the way zippers helped me make the change without any mod's to the stock bike.
Trending Topics
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: gallipolis ohio
i have a 2010 flhtk limited with a 113. dyno last friday was 120.3 hp and 114.23 ft lbs. i have gottin into it a few times and today it stripped every tooth off of the belt. i dont want the mess of chain but it seems i must go that rout. any suggestions
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
That said, my buddy stripped 3 belts in 4k miles. Too many burnouts and acting like a hooligan. He's doing a chain conversion now...
There is no commercially available kit yet. Zippers doesn't have one, 3guyz doesn't have one, and on and on...
Frank Viera in Fremont CA has done a couple new chassis chain drives with PM wheels. RC Cycles in Hayward has done it. Just nobody has a bolt-in kit yet. Ya gotta do some measuring and machine some spacers to make it work right.
And an 0-ring chain isn't that dirty guys...
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 25
i had one of my 98 road king for years. i popped a couple of belts in a close time. was down on finances and had some parts. had to buy the front sprocket for maybe 60 bucks or so. used a good heavy oring chain and your choice of rear sprockets. a 51 on the rear seemed to be close to stock. i later changed to a 48 tooth to lower my rpms. it worked for me at the time to get me riding but over time it was expensive. i'm well over 300 lbs and always ride two up. i was only getting about about 20k miles on the heaviest chain that i could fit in there. there was also the adjustments and lubes to keep up with. not really messy though. a little splatter on the back side of the left hand bag.
head
head