Belt drive is not dependable. The old touring bikes had a chain for the final drive. I know it makes noise, but it is easy to change the chain on the side of the road, and stone damage does not happen. I would like to change my 2006 eg classic to chain drive. Does anyone know were i can get the parts to make this happen?

 

"old touring bikes had them" Yes and how many do now, ZERO, they all have belts or driveshafts. But Yes you can change to chain drive, not cheap and its a dumb idea. Who ever told you belt was not dependable??? Ive seen many with over 50k on them with no issues and rarely have ever seen or heard of anyone having a problem. A chain will wear itself out and the sprokets too well before you get close to 50 k miles on them. The only reason to go to a chain would be if you ran mega horsepower and really abused it a lot.

 

I think the parts are available ..... on MARS

 

Belt is way more dependable than chain, plus you don't have the maintenance issues I've seen bikes with over 80k on them with the original belt still in good running order....you would have to be crazy to want to change out a belt for a chain.

 

Yes the parts are avialable , but in my opinion as other people have posted it you would in my opinion be going backwords.I've seen very few belts break in the 10 plus years of owning my shop. I would n't do it, but if you do make sure you get a good kit and someone that knows how to shim the rear sprocket to drive sprocket correctly.

 

Belts should last 100K - No need for Oiling (aka... Oil Leaks)

 

Other than on high powered hot rods, the belt is more dependable. I do however have the same attitude about on the road repairs. No question that if a belt fails, and they do occaisionaly due to damage, it's a tow job to a shop for replacement, If you carry a master link with you, 90% of the time you can atleast get back on the road and ride to a shop for a replacement! I run a chain for just that reason.

 

It's your bike, run what YOU want. Yes, zippers and several others make chain conversion kits. Things to make sure you have is the proper "dish" as requiredfor the rear sprocketto havealignement and clearance, hardened sprockets front and rear for long life and an O-ring Chain with a TSI of 10k or better. A decent setup like above will last up to 40k before needing to replace the sprockets and chain. It will take a hell of alot more abuse than a belt and pully system will and can be repaired on the side of the road a lot easier.

The only belt system I've dealt with that was easy to replace on the side of the road is on the sporters. a much better design than the bigtwin in terms of not needing to pull the primary and swingarm.

 

In all my years of riding belt drive harleys and riding with others, I have only seen 1 belt falure it was on a old 86 model flhs and had well over 60k on it. It broke due to dry rot from always being left outside year round.

 

Trade your Harley for a Victory. That's one of their selling points--being able to easily replace the belt. At least on the original ones.

After a lifetime of dealing with chains and worn sprockets, I sure wouldn't go back to one.

Anyone have a belt conversion for Tridents?