Chain drive vs. Belt drive

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Jan 1, 2017 | 12:43 PM

#61

Mr-Mike

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 981

Likes: 182

From: Fairfax County, VA

IMO chains look MUCH better and suit the 'mechanical' presence of the big V engines. They also come in a variety of hard finishes. For all practical matters a belt wins out but for me, I plan on converting to a chain. Anyone have any info on doing a chain conversion?

- Thanks.

Jan 2, 2017 | 06:50 PM

#62

nytryder

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 4,012

Likes: 298

From: Central Fl

I miss chains like I miss points and condensers.

Jan 2, 2017 | 08:55 PM

#63

wolf1340

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Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 77

Likes: 0

From: Alberta, Canada

I changed over to chain on my 2016 SGS with a 126". I don't want to have to worry about breaking a belt and being stranded. I broke one on a previous bike with a 113". I didn't want to have to worry about a belt breaking on this one.

Dec 24, 2017 | 07:25 PM

#64

Uncle Larry

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 157,518

Likes: 57,068

From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell

'VS" ... You're ringing the bell on a year old posting

Dec 24, 2017 | 07:51 PM

#65

smitty901

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 23,000

Likes: 11,441

In most cases chain drive makes no sense. the Belt is so much more reliable , last longer and pretty much trouble free. Have put over 80,000 on a single belt more than once and still going when the bike was sold. Chains are history and good thing to leave behind.

Dec 24, 2017 | 08:25 PM

#66

Mr-Mike

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 981

Likes: 182

From: Fairfax County, VA

chain is better if you don't know how to adjust a belt.

Dec 25, 2017 | 01:09 PM

#67

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,224

Likes: 3,049

From: St.Louis Mo.

i've seen a buddy strip 57 teeth off his belt and i've seen others break their belts doing wheelies and burnouts. got a friend with an S&S 124 and runs it hard without ever breaking his belt, so who knows ? what i do know is if i break a chain or my points or condenser goes bad , i can always repair on the side of the road and get it home.

Dec 25, 2017 | 02:03 PM

#68

Mr-Mike

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 981

Likes: 182

From: Fairfax County, VA

Right. All that and a bag of chips. The main thing here is application. If you choose to run a stock belt on a 175+hp bike and thrash it mercilessly at the strip, you're the moron. But go ahead, blame the belt... LOL.

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Dec 25, 2017 | 03:03 PM

#69

Andreas

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 80

Likes: 16

From: Wittmann, AZ

I'm running a 1-1/8" OEM belt on my Eglide with a nicely set up Jim's 131cui motor. I'm close to 40k miles and the belt looks good. I adjust it frequently - my rear tire doesn't last very long.