I've done some research about doing this, and just wanted some input whether or not you'd do it or not.


I love the old school look it gives... any boosts in some type of performance?

 

Only performance boost so to speak, would be the ability to easily change the pulley sizing. Replacing the chain without removing the primary as well.

And nope, I wouldn't.

Chase

 

Unless you going road or drag racing the belt is a lot better then the chain, just my two cent

 

There is a big boost in one thing, the amount of time you spend maintaining the chain and cleaning the bike.

 

That is one thing I do not miss from my last bike!

 

haha, my first bike was chain driven, loved it and hated it.


definitely think it would look rad though. thanks for the input fellas

 

They look great and gear changes are easier plus they will handle more power.
But there is no way I'd convert mine over while it is a daily driver.
It will also be money lost at resell time.

That said I may end up doing on on my Fatbob eventually if I end up with a 117"-124" motor in it and start taking it to the drags.... i.e. being able to withstand more power and doing gearing changes is actually useful.

 

ewwww a chain is dirty! Somebody might not like that when you're parked at dunkin donuts. If you want to run a chain, do it. The list of pros is far longer than cons. I run one cause I have to. Yep, it's a little dirty, a little noisy and I've had to adjust it twice in 8k miles behind 140+hp.

 

A chain only makes sense on a high power bike that keeps breaking belts. Love the simplicity of the belt and I have owned numerous chain drive bikes over the years. There is a reason that Harley decided to use a belt. Have fun lubing, adjusting and cleaning that thing.

A buddy has an S&S 124 on one bike and an S&S 111 on the other both chain drive. For him it makes sense due to the extra power but for a stock bike....never. Looks? Who looks at the chain or belt? No one.

 

Chains are just SO last Century! I haven't owned a bike with an exposed rear chain since the 1970s and can see no benefit in changing over, for road use. It would require a truly serious upgrade in performance to warrant a chain and we have baggers with 120/124 engines using stock belts.