how did you do 4 belts in for years ? i was a bit concerned about belts as id never had a bike with one before and everyone bar you , say the same thing , keep the guard on and apart from the very occaisional risk of a sharp stone splitting it they will last forever , 2 years warrenty on the new one fitted on the bike and an easy replace by popping one shock off , or is everyone lying to me ?

 

harley's are about 90% looks (form) and 10% function (maybe moreso on the baggers)... it's surprising to see so many people like belts more than chains given harley's niche in the market. the chain looks about 100 times better than the belt i think most people would agree with that, the belt cheapens the look of the bike IMO.

like i said earlier it's not worth it to me to convert the bike now, but maybe if i bust a belt i will convert to a chain.

 

they are ignorant. that may help get the belt on the wheel pulley , but how do they propose to get it on the front pulley ??

they do not last forever , not even close. I 've had one go at 22,000 easy miles,had a buddy's let go on a bike he bought new and babied at 6000. got another friend who runs the **** out of his and never had an issue with clos to 90,000. thats the problem , ya never know

 

Hey if that's what works for you and your riding style it's all good . Chains and I have a long history of not liking each other . With the 520's I was going through 2 - 3 a years depending roads trip and the happy hand . Even using $200 + Tsubaki high end 530 O-ring ones lasted less than 20,000 with expensive sprockets

I ride my bike hard so I worked things to limit sometimes and over a few . When I went to 88" it just got worse ate em like candy , moved to Ca. with yr round riding and I spent $800 on chains and sprockets in 1 yr. Now add the the vibration factor , on a shovel if your running 70+ mph regular everything shakes hard it's not a fun ride for distance .

Harley didn't go belt for any EPA noise crap they were trying to solve a number of outdated design problems including the constant oil spot under the bike . Belts made riding one a nice comfy clean low maintenance experience , part of the draw to pull in new sales . Harleys were a pain in the *** for anybody not mechanically inclined , smart marketing on their part .

Belts been WAY less headache for me and I abuse them about as hard as it gets . Launched a locked throttle burn out and banged second no clutch belt did fine , spun the output shaft in the flywheel ( gave out 3 days later ) . 130' of rubber & smoke with a hell of a dog leg in it from a 38 yr old bike .

You went through 4 in a year there's a problem that hasn't been found yet . Harley is cruiser bike so belts make it nice , rice rockets are beat on hard so chains makes sense for them . Apples and Oranges guy .

 

So where did everyone who's running a chain get your conversion kit or what are your sprockets off of that work on a 99 softail?

 

TwiZted Biker, That's 4 belts in 4 years, not 4 in 1 year. The cause is, the sand and gravel used for traction on winter roads. I'm not saying chains are better than belts. I've said previously belts are fine for most Harley owners. As you said "what works for you and your riding style it's all good".
MADDOD187, Belts are not covered by your warranty.

 

My King has a belt looks dont matter you cant see it on a Bagger.

But on my 87 sportster I had I changed over to a belt drive and it cut the Vibration bout in half! what a upgrade. Proble the best $ I ever spent on that bike.

 

I just checked my 2010 Ultra. It has a belt. Had to get down real low to the ground to see it. Chains look better???

 

Ya your road conditions are going to eat belts and sprockets fast and regular I can see that . I was going to pm you anyway about the specifics on what happened . As a mechanic I'm constantly looking for the hows ans whys of stories like yours to add to the knowledge base . Thanks man .

 

Sounds like an investment idea, Belt drive, Chain drive, Finger drive. Could catch on.............