Converting late model touring to chain drive???
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Orrville, Ohio
I used to travel all over the country for work and was lucky enough to be able to take my bike along in a well lit trailer full of tools and a bike lift. Even with all of that, dealing with a broken belt would have been a sizable task taking the better part of a day when away from home.
Unless I were to shred a front sprocket, I could repair chain malfunctions in about a half hour or less in the trailer.
The point of using readily available parts is very wise. When planning modifications, I try to do things in a way that in a pinch I could revert back to off the shelf stock parts to get home or complete a vacation. It doesn't always work out but for the most part I stick to it. The BDL belt primary I run causes me to keep spare parts on hand or risk sitting out a weekend or or getting trailered home.
Unless I were to shred a front sprocket, I could repair chain malfunctions in about a half hour or less in the trailer.
The point of using readily available parts is very wise. When planning modifications, I try to do things in a way that in a pinch I could revert back to off the shelf stock parts to get home or complete a vacation. It doesn't always work out but for the most part I stick to it. The BDL belt primary I run causes me to keep spare parts on hand or risk sitting out a weekend or or getting trailered home.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I used to run a bdl belt drive too... after shredding 3 perfectly aligned belts while doing holeshots and whatnot, I converted back to chain primary. Once I did that I started breaking the next weakest link (drive belt). So then I converted the drive belt to chain. No more problem after that, just spinning tires and big smiles.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 16
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From: Orrville, Ohio
I broke the primary belt once with only about 3k miles on it but I had made a mistake installing it and it was misaligned by about an 1/8th inch. Eventually I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and switch back to chain primary and a King Kong clutch but the belt is cool to look at and I paid a couple grand for it so it's a bit hard to stomach.
When I was trying to figure out why the belt broke I was talking to an engineer at BDL. I was asking about what seemed like excessive slack in the belt and he said that was correct to have that much when cold to account for expansion of pulleys when hot. When drag racing at the strip there is no chance to get the drive line up to full temp but we hit the starting line and apply full power to a sticky track??? Made me really think about my choice and the engineering concepts behind a non adjustable belt primary.
When I was trying to figure out why the belt broke I was talking to an engineer at BDL. I was asking about what seemed like excessive slack in the belt and he said that was correct to have that much when cold to account for expansion of pulleys when hot. When drag racing at the strip there is no chance to get the drive line up to full temp but we hit the starting line and apply full power to a sticky track??? Made me really think about my choice and the engineering concepts behind a non adjustable belt primary.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Friend of mine used to drag race. One day, while his engine was running and he was waiting for his turn, there was a hold up for a while. He didn't want to stop the engine and go back to the pits to restart it. When his time eventually came the bike was darned hot - and he ran his best time by a big margin! He changed his warm-up routine after that. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I did have to replace my rear sprocket on the road once and ended up sleeping in the parking lot of a dealership for two days waiting on the part.
Otherwise I never had any issues and always chuckle when I read all the neg comments regarding chain drive conversions.
Just make sure to use a steel sprocket. Many are aluminium and aren't worth the powder to blow em up IMO.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 619
Likes: 3
From: In Garage
I use KimballMidwest chain lube/wax, and no road grime, no sling, and chain still looks like I just sprayed it after 2000 miles. I clean it once a year and I really don't need to.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
Lol
I never really gave any care to the warranty.
People worry about the warranty but it is mostly useless. Things don't start breaking on a stock bike until after the warranty is expired. Either way there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding a voided warranty.
If your bike does foul up and need valid warranty work some dealers will look for any reason to tell you that you voided the warranty. Do not go on their word alone. Surprise surprise!!! Some dealers lie.
There is a federal law covering voided warranties. It states that the dealer is responsible for PROVING that the modifications made to the bike CAUSED the damage that is in question. Keys here are common sense an shopping for a dealer that is reputable and not just a move product type joint.
For example if I instal a chain drive on an otherwise stock bike, and my bikes computer takes a dump.....The warranty is not void.
It gets more interesting when you have a new bike that you toss on a full exhaust that has no catalytic converter, an intake and a tuner to run it......then your crank bearings go out. This, in my opinion, would still be warranty as the mods don't change power level anywhere near enough to tear up a bottom end. At this point a lawyer could probably get you that warranty work done but you would have to weigh the attorney cost against the cost of repairs.
I've heard some dealers tell people that you have to have all oil changes and services performed by them to keep warranty intact and that is a complete load of BS that is only there to get you back for an expensive service.
As you can see, voided warranties are a sore point for me because I HATE dealers that lie. If a dealer tells you that you will void your warranty, ASK AROUND. A dealer saying that you voided your warranty is not much different than me telling my girlfriend that my chin drive will only cost about $100. Lol
I never really gave any care to the warranty.
People worry about the warranty but it is mostly useless. Things don't start breaking on a stock bike until after the warranty is expired. Either way there is a lot of misinformation out there regarding a voided warranty.
If your bike does foul up and need valid warranty work some dealers will look for any reason to tell you that you voided the warranty. Do not go on their word alone. Surprise surprise!!! Some dealers lie.
There is a federal law covering voided warranties. It states that the dealer is responsible for PROVING that the modifications made to the bike CAUSED the damage that is in question. Keys here are common sense an shopping for a dealer that is reputable and not just a move product type joint.
For example if I instal a chain drive on an otherwise stock bike, and my bikes computer takes a dump.....The warranty is not void.
It gets more interesting when you have a new bike that you toss on a full exhaust that has no catalytic converter, an intake and a tuner to run it......then your crank bearings go out. This, in my opinion, would still be warranty as the mods don't change power level anywhere near enough to tear up a bottom end. At this point a lawyer could probably get you that warranty work done but you would have to weigh the attorney cost against the cost of repairs.
I've heard some dealers tell people that you have to have all oil changes and services performed by them to keep warranty intact and that is a complete load of BS that is only there to get you back for an expensive service.
As you can see, voided warranties are a sore point for me because I HATE dealers that lie. If a dealer tells you that you will void your warranty, ASK AROUND. A dealer saying that you voided your warranty is not much different than me telling my girlfriend that my chin drive will only cost about $100. Lol
First, I had several items covered under the warranty so things do fail under warranty.
Second, having a warranty and getting your bike repaired under the warranty for warrant-able items is not a forgone conclusion. There are variances by state, additionally, if the item is a covered item, you still may have to go to court to get it fixed and even then you may end up sucking wind. I am fully aware of the laws involved and I have the documents to prove it, I just finished a year long battle with H-D, they thru numerous law firms at me. in the end, I won. this took money, time and as the mediator said toward the end, neither of you are going to come away with what you want, you'll both come away with compromise. He was right.
PS, Dealers Lie and so does MoCo.
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Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
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Feb 2, 2008 06:26 PM
