It's a crude drive device, invented sometime early in the last century, occasionally seen on old bikes.....

 

Sounds dangerous...

 

I've owned a few old bikes with chains and did have one break once. Fortunately no harm came of the experience. There was a time when some bikes came with a completely enclosed chain, to keep the noisy dirty messy things out of sight, which was a much more satisfactory arrangement.

Then we got toothed belts and the rest is history.....

 

The pejorative statement is: "Chains are for motorcycles; belts are for holding up pants."

They both have their benefits and drawbacks. I think chains get a little too much hate in the Harley crowd (ironically enough), but like most stereotypes it's all based in some truth.

As a guy with chain bikes, let me say that belts are nice. No maintenance, no work, set it and forget it really describes them. In argument, I can say that nothing on my right side will ever rust. hahaha

 

I never was all that wild about chain maintenance and don't miss it a bit.

 

Belts aren't reliable enough for my riding. Lots of out of town, hard commuting, and cross country. Rocked one for 40k miles, but when it gave up the ghost (thankfully at home) I made the switch. Not a single regret.

Had a buddy that lost a belt and spent 3 days waiting for a fix. I can run down to any moto shop or ag shop in the US and get a chain to last me. The motor shop in San Jose, CA had the same **** I use at home.

As far as maintenance goes, regular lubes are the main pain in the ***. Cleaning is done when I feel like it, and adjustments are few and far between with modern x ring chains. Ran a standard 530 for about 4k miles unitl it was completely shot. Never again.

 

Pretty much same as me. I use Bel Ray Superclean chain lube, no mess and seems to work well. I had the same experience with a standard chain, frequent adjustments and rapid wear. With the X ring chain it just seems to never need adjustment.

John

 

Been riding belt drive Harleys/Buells for over twenty years and only suffered damage (not a break) on one belt. Have had a chain break! Haven't owned a bike with an exposed chain since the 1970s - why would ya?!

 

"a bit" being something of an understatement.

Time for a new sprocket. :O

 

Indeed - possibly a new chain too.