I have an 2005 Road King and want to convert. Actually my mind is made up. The shop said it can be done. He said however more dirt will be thrown around under the saddlebags. Somebody I know said the chain and sprockets will wear out every 20,000 miles. I don't believe that, I know with a little maintanance it will go a LOT longer.
2006-08-29 12:43:12 · 13 answers · asked by Tom M. 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Tom,
You have your mind made up so just go ahead and do it. Afterall, you probably know whether or not you can do maintenance on a chain, afford frequent replacement, enjoy the whining and slapping of a chain. You know Harley engineers designed their bikes for smooth dependable use for the majority of their customers. You just want to be different. That's what makes Harleys so cool anyway are the differences their owners make to them. Customize it for your riding pleasure.
Ride it like you stole it.
2006-09-01 11:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by exert-7 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Harley Chain
2016-10-29 05:36:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belts last longer than chain and are smother but they do lose a bit of power at the wheel. The only reason I could see for switching to a chain is for racing as a chain loses the least amount of power at the wheel. As for daily cruising the chain will need adjusting often, the back wheel will be dirtier due to the chain lube and 10000 miles is an awful lot of miles to expect out of a chain. You'll never get 20000 out of a chain. And with a chain the harder you ride it the faster it wears. If you do switch to chain go with an o-ring chain or you'll be replacing it a lot more often.
2006-08-29 20:33:51 · answer #3 · answered by caveman_frmc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be possible, but after the time and money to modify and fabricate parts for the back half of the motor to change out the shaft for a sprocket and the soft tail to except a chain and adjusters at the back for the new wheel you're going to have to get with a sprocket on it, you can buy another bike. Face it, the V star is a bar hopper, not a highway cruiser. It'll handle freeway speeds as long as you don't twist the throttle to the stop all the time. That's not good for any bike. The factory tires are only rated to 95mph anyway. I rode mine from michigan to florida at 80mph with no mechanical problems, the rpms were just higher than I'm used to is all.
2016-03-27 00:37:37 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know of two guys who bought new harleys, big electra glide cruisers and they both weigh close to 300 pounds. Sometimes they even take the wives riding and they weigh about 200. One guy has about 60,000 miles on his drive belt and the other has 99,000 miles as of the start of this month. Both guys are still running the factory belt. So they are durable and need no maintenance. A chain on the other hand will need considerably more care and maintenance.
The only reason you would need a chain is if you plan to up the horsepower to about 150!!!!!
I don't recommend you switch.
2006-08-29 18:07:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ah I don't know about that chains stretch so ya got to watch them. also the gears sprockets wear faster than you think i'd save the money and stay with the belt. I mean there burning out tries with belts they dont slip. If you do go for the chain then just put a chain gaurd on it so it dont splash mud and dirt all over the place
2006-08-29 12:51:24 · answer #6 · answered by mike L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want smooth and quiet stick with the belt. If you want to put a wider tire on the rear, chain drive will let you do that. I convert to chain because i run a 7" slick for racing and a belt wont last the launches. A chain is easy to repair , with a few repair links and a chain tool on the side of the interstate.
2014-08-28 09:26:45 · answer #7 · answered by Rick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a waste of time and money, the bike was designed with a belt drive for a reason, if you change it, you will be changing the harmonic's of the entire drive and engine system. Could cause more internal wear, vibration, also causing what's called chine-walk. In simple terms (Wobble & Whipping). If the back end of the bike starts whipping around, it will make your riding pleasure go down hill fast.
2006-08-29 16:35:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've never got much more than 10k from a chain -- and usually a LOT less than that! It's not so much maintenance as it is the stretching. If you keep it clean and well oiled and drive like a little old lady, MAYBE. But what's the fun in that??
2006-08-29 13:22:09 · answer #9 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beleive you use multiple chains across the width of the original belt drive, so the loads are spread even, need some precision assembly to make sure the ankle grater you are installing will stretch evenly.
2006-08-30 05:17:16 · answer #10 · answered by NinjaRacer 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋