If mine breaks, it will be the first time my bike has been trailered since it was delivered to the dealer.
I guess I'd have to order a new belt to install it myself.

 

I'll stick with a belt. I don't have a lot of free time to go riding and I definitely don't want to spend my limited free time adjusting chains and replacing sprockets.

 

been running a belt for the last 18 years on my shovelhead and have no reason to change now. belts can be had for way less than 200 and it isn't that hard to change them and if you really want peace of mind buy one of the emergency belt kits for the road.

chains are fine i just prefer the belt for the smoothness it offers as well as the longevity. well most people get good life out of them, i know i do.

as for the guy that said the dealer wanted 9.4 hours and 225.00 thats a rip off. if i remember correctly it used to be 5.5 hours labor to change the belt.

meant to add....if you think my belts last a long time just because it's a stock shovelhead it's not, my little shovel runs tire to tire with my buddy 95 inch tc, i know that doesn't make it a rocket but that's a long way from stock.

 

Depends entirely on what the bike is being set up to do on which I'd use , big pro's and con's for both . Belts need to be set up & aligned correctly to give the best life and performance , unfortunately most never are including at the dealers .

Chains are a lazy mans hit it and go and an easy work around for some of the big rear wheels & drive train problems on custom builds . Their nowhere near as critical setting up for the average user and they will take sizable mis-alignment & adjustment and still run ok as far as most are owners concerned . On a rubber mounted drive train your sloppy from the gate and it doesn't get better with miles , up side is they will take abuse and neglect better than a belt and you known you have problems coming if you have half a clue mechanically . Also you have much more flexibility in picking your drive ratio's with multiple sprocket sizes , lots of play room there big plus .

It's funny I went from chains on my 72 shovel to dual belts and have had WAY fewer problems , much more comfortable ride and knocked down 60% of the vibration problems you have with older iron I have no mirror buzz at 80 mph . Big plus is it killed about all the headache piddly oil leaks it used to have .

I'm running a HiPo 11-1 comp 93" at around 95hp & a 4 sp. and it isn't babied believe me , I do pop the primary occasionally I carry a spare and can change it in about 15mins. and be gone . Had 70,000+ mi. on the rear with a hole in it , only reason it was changed was new wheels & sprockets .

 

Rode too many years with chains,now that belts are up to the task will stay with them.

 

I had chains for many years and there is no way in hell I ever want to go back. They are always needing adjusted, lubed and that is a mess every time even with the best no fling lube. I don't have plans to ever make my bikes so pawerful that they would need a chain. I have never had a shaft drive on a street bike, but had a few qauds with it and it's nice as well, just have to change the gear lube now and then-no biggie.

 

It's official , the poll results right now are ten to one, in favor of belts...

next poll will be "how many of you have tassels on you handlebars" .... !!!

 

how hard is the conversion? i would only do it myself, paying a dealer would not be worth it.

 

Rode nutin but chains for 35 years or so, First belt drive I got in 91 I thought I was in heaven. I'd never go back. I never had a chain last longer then 40,000 miles. And the price for a new set of sprockets and a decent o-ring chain is about the same as a belt. I have never broken a belt, 85,000 on 91 1200 XL , 98,000 on a 98 FXD, and have over 60,000 on my 08 FLHT. NO-BRAINER!

 

I you have a chain and you have time to ride, you are not properly maintaining your chain and sprockets.