Ok guys, Whats your opinion on staying with a belt or converting over to a chain. I am gonna build my engine and will probably be around 100 hp 100 tq and only beat on my bike occasionally at the drag strip, other than that I just ride smoothly. Whats your opinions?
My initial thoughts are that I like not having to clean and lube a chain, and clean nasty off of my laced wheels.
I also have this thought of a broken belt leaving me sitting somewhere..

 

Boss Hoss uses a belt with 445 horsepower.

Just my pinion.

 

Anybody else? Oh yeah I edited that so we need Opinions and not Pinions!

 

Have a 111hp/117tq 103 in my FXDXT; 30k on the belt no problem (45k total); no intention of going chain even if I bump up to 113...belt looks fine and is cleaner and quieter.

 

For the build you are describing, the belt will be fine. I did the chain conversion since the torque has broken the belt.

 

Well, Sounds good. I didnt want to convert anyways. I definitely wont be building as much HP and TQ as your build Bigdaddy. That engine must be a monster! I just want around 100 and I will be good with that.

 

I was doing an search for that same question and the Hoss Boss reply answers that question

 

Friends with touring bikes with many miles (lots of WOT runs) and over 100rwhp have had no problems with their belts.

Personally I think a chain conversion is cool but am curious about the maintenance. A friend just picked up an '02 Dyna T-Sport with chain and is wondering what he should do.

 

The real advantage of a chain is not durability it's the ease of changing final drive ratios.Something that might be of interest to you if your running on a drag strip.I've changed the final drive ratio on my chain drive Suzuki twice for allot less than the cost of changing it on my Harley once.Also even though chains require more maintenance than a belt it's not rocket science any idiot with a couple wrenches and some oil can maintain a chain.

 

The O ring in modern motorcycle chains protect the chain from moisture and dirt. Maintenance is very easy and only takes a couple of minutes. Every 1000 or so miles I brush on some Bel Ray Chain Lube, and that's about it. If I ride through a lot of rain or puddles and the chain is getting wet more than usual, I might lube it at 500 miles.

Also, HD's with higher torque motors, launched aggressively can and have torn belts, making a chain an excellent alternative.