Chain drive vs. Belt drive

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May 16, 2015 | 07:46 AM

#21

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Bedford UK

I haven't owned a bike with an exposed rear chain since the 1970s, they are just so last century! As mentioned chains and sprockets don't last as long as a belt and the replacement argument will be easily lost by a high mileage chain bike. What I find frustrating is that modern manufacturing techniques make an enclosed rear chain very easy to do, which would significantly extend chain life, reduce noise and mess.

May 16, 2015 | 07:55 AM

#22

Buelligan666

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Joined: Aug 2014

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From: Eastern Ohio

What the hell does this have to do with touring bikes? Harley touring bikes haven't had chains in close to 35 yrs!

May 16, 2015 | 08:56 AM

#23

hardheaded

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Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,226

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From: St.Louis Mo.

when you look back and see that belt laying on the ground , you'll wish you had a chain.

May 16, 2015 | 08:59 AM

#24

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Charleston, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buelligan666

What the hell does this have to do with touring bikes? Harley touring bikes haven't had chains in close to 35 yrs!

Yet 20 people are talking about it. Problem? Nope...

May 16, 2015 | 09:08 AM

#25

grbrown

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardheaded

when you look back and see that belt laying on the ground , you'll wish you had a chain.

So you've never heard of or seen broken chains?! They can both break, the difference between the two being that a chain is much more effective at causing expensive collateral damage........

May 16, 2015 | 11:28 AM

#26

68 Shovelking

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 383

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From: Seattle

Quote:

Originally Posted by grbrown

So you've never heard of or seen broken chains?! They can both break, the difference between the two being that a chain is much more effective at causing expensive collateral damage........

Agreed, but the probability of a quality chain breaking is very slim. All it takes for the belt to fail is a tiny pebble to get trapped between the belt and pulley. My buddy had this happen on a trip a few years back, belt only had 25K. A friend who runs an Indy shop tells me he does a few failed belts a year. His personal bikes have all been converted to chain.
Belts are going to be smoother with a longer life span, but modern O or X ring chains don't stretch as unevenly or as much as standard chain. They also don't require any external lube except something for rust prevention. Modern chain-waxes are a great option to the messy lubes we used to use. I've been using O/X-ring chains on my dirt bikes and Shovelheads for over 20 years with zero issues, but I have no plans to replace the belt on my Road King.

May 16, 2015 | 11:48 AM

#27

grbrown

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Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Bedford UK

I've been riding belt drive Harleys for 25 years without incident - jus' sayin'!

May 16, 2015 | 12:58 PM

#28

jamesroadking

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 1,328

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From: Lake City, Florida

Agreed, belts are smoother, less maintenence, last longer, but why the hell does Harley Davidson designers have their heads up their asses and make it such at major / expensive job to replace the drive belts. If you look at the Victory's and I think the Yamaha's the drive belts are outside the clutch nubs, it looks like it would be about a fifteen minute job to change a belt on a Victory or a Yamaha.

Last edited by jamesroadking; May 16, 2015 at 01:00 PM.

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May 16, 2015 | 01:18 PM

#29

perki48

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Sandpoint, Idaho

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj84fxrt

But the old old Harleys back in early 1900's had a belt from crank shaft to rear wheel

And you "resurrected" a thread that is almost that old!

May 16, 2015 | 08:44 PM

#30

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,226

Likes: 3,049

From: St.Louis Mo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grbrown

So you've never heard of or seen broken chains?! They can both break, the difference between the two being that a chain is much more effective at causing expensive collateral damage........

agree with you , besides dirt bikes, in all my years of riding i seen one guy break a chain doing wheelies on a chopper. i have seen at least ten belts broken over the years. and you are right about damage with a chain as this happen to a friend of mine. it cost him a trans case. i wouldn't bat an eye at running a chain now days as they are much better than years ago.

Last edited by hardheaded; May 16, 2015 at 08:48 PM.

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