a definitive sportster chain conversion pros and cons list

[adri]

Hey guys, just wanted to thank you all for your help with this.

I made a 9 minute video going over the main half dozen advantages of both chain conversions and of sticking with belt.

I had most of an old chain, an old belt pully, my XL and a chain drive bike or two so I had enough that I think everything I'm saying is pretty clearly illustrated.

Most importantly though, I mentioned XLForum along with a screenshot of the website right in the first 20-ish seconds as my way of aknowledging you guys helping me out with this and hopefully getting more XL riders out there to join us in here.

Cheers!

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by Edster

All in all Sportsters in my opinion are much easier to wrench on than big twins, not just drive chain either I knew a few Big Twin riders that converted to chain just for the ease of changing them out.

Yes and no. My Shovelhead was chain drive, with the adjustable engine oil oiler. Yes, I could loop in a new chain. Chains got replaced every ~10,000 miles, but every other chain it needed new sprockets and replacing the C/S sprocket meant pulling the primary.

My BT Evo (with belt) got the belt replaced because I switched to the Euro issue 9 tooth smaller rear sprocket which required the shorter softail belt. I had 30,000+ miles on that belt when I sold the bike.

So with a chain the primary came off every 20,000 miles to replace the C/S sprocket. Or, with a belt, every 30,000+ miles to replace the belt.

My Sportster has 20,000 miles on it and the belt looks just fine. Only adjusting I've done has been to get it running centered on the rear sprocket. I'm spoiled, a no muss & fuss belt on my Sportster and my R9Ts' shaft drive that just gets an occaisional final drive oil change.

[Iron Mike]

A well maintained chain will last a long time.
Did you ever see how long a chain on an enclosed chain FLT lasts??

[adri]

The finished product: https://youtu.be/ZINqslR8GW0

Made sure I spent a few seconds early on thanking XL Forum for helping me put this together. Not sure how to embed the video or if that's possible, sorry.

[sportsterpaul]

Originally Posted by Iron Mike

A well maintained chain will last a long time.
Did you ever see how long a chain on an enclosed chain FLT lasts??

They last forever, protected from dirt and bathed in oil. There is a penalty paid when it comes to replacing a rear tire.

[Iron Mike]

Not so bad when proper procedure is followed. Installing new boots and seals (and getting it oil tight) is where you pay the price.

[Edster]

Good video! Gave it a like and a subscribe.

Sent from my LM-G900TM using Tapatalk

[Desertfox]

The main advantage of chain drive is that it allows more horsepower to the ground. A belt drive can take 10% or more of your engines output just to drive the rear wheel. A chain is about 5%. so if you like to hot rod a chain is for you if you like to take it easy and just cruise, a belt is the way to go. .

[adri]

Originally Posted by Desertfox

The main advantage of chain drive is that it allows more horsepower to the ground. A belt drive can take 10% or more of your engines output just to drive the rear wheel. A chain is about 5%. so if you like to hot rod a chain is for you if you like to take it easy and just cruise, a belt is the way to go. .

Has that ever actually been demonstrated with the same motorcycle, on the same dyno, before and after?

I've heard different variations of this, always with different numbers, and never with any proof...

[adri]

Originally Posted by Edster

Good video! Gave it a like and a subscribe.

Very cool, thank you, you were a big part of it! lol