Chain final drive kit?

Question

Anyone know of a pre-assembled kit to convert my belt final to chain? 2006 FXD35 Superglide. I already planned on buying individual parts, but thought someone may have done it already. Belt finals are great for fair weather, but I ride year 'round. My rear pulley shows exessive wear from all the road crap I picked up. $155.00 for a stock replacement, about $1000.00 to have the dealer replace both pulleys and the belt. Not happening every 12K miles.

I know a chain will pick it up too, and the lube will hold it there as well. They can be cleaned. The benefit comes from using steel instead of aluminum. I have thought about enclosing the belt, but shrouding the whole thing would be difficult. Besides, the damage is done. To properly run a belt would require the full parts change. It's entirely possible for me to do a home-made conversion in stainless steel if I can find the right size sprocket to modify. I haven't touched a wrench yet, still looking and asking.

Thanks, lady and gents.
This isn't a "right away" project, but more of a "what's next". I'm going to run the stock set-up until it's useless. Just want to decide before the time comes.
While I am looking for longevity and lower expenses, customization is the name of the game. How about custom sprockets and a double 50 chain? Seen one? I haven't , yet.

Answer 1

I changed my FXR to chain when I started drag racing it in Laughlin.
I just bought the chain and sprockets from J+P.
The cool thing is that once you've converted, you can replace the chain w/o pulling off the primary.
I also got a big rear sprocket as a racing sprocket ,when I run the 23 x 51 gearing it feels like a dirt bike and it only takes 1/2 hour or so to change out the gearing and pop a few links off the chain.

Answer 2

From the old school when there were no belt or shaft final drives. The only reason I would have to go to a chain again if I was running over about 115 cubic inches pumped up. The advantage of the chain over the belt you won't rip the teeth off the belt with that kind of power. I've never checked to see if they still have a usable chain oiler on the later belt models. Which is my main reason for loving the belts. Both sides of my rear wheel stay clean.

Answer 3

$1000 to replace a belt and the pulleys? That's just ridiculous. Even if you have to pull the swingarm, I just can't see the job taking more than 3 hours at the outside.

Don't know the service intervals on a belt, but chains don't last forever. I get about 12,000 miles out of mine on a smaller bike. If I were you, I'd seriously consider sticking with the belt and doing my own replacements.

Answer 4

you will definitely be replacing more sprockets and chains than belts. They don't last on big capacity engines and must be adjusted frequently. Just take note that all Jap touring bikes do have shaft drive, why because a chain needs lots of maintenance. Keep the belt and forget about chain and sprockets

Answer 5

I have a friend with an 05 Road King that snapped 2 belts last year, since then he has considered switching to chain. I did a search for him "Harley belt to chain conversion" it came up with a number of sites. Alot of people do it so they can use wider rear tires. Check into www.zippersperformance.com and www.nightrider.com I found out that Harley also produces a more heavy duty belt supposedly for sidecar use.

Answer 6

Don't know much about after market sets. If you are looking for good service, I know my buddy didn't get but about 20k miles out of the chain on his 750 Shadow, without hard riding. I had no idea of the draw backs of a belt. Maybe I need to stick with shaft drive after all.

Answer 7

I sometimes wonder about any mod that adds weight and changes torque..but it's for a rider's reason. Adding the change will affect back torque slightly and acceleration moderately-I assume...and milage. My suggestion is to get a bike with all you want from the get-go.

Answer 8

its gona do the same thing with a chain. U will pick up small particals and stuff and it will wear ur chain and ur final drive pully. The only final drive system that doesn't do it, is shaft drive. And i wouldn't goto a bike with shaft drive if i had to.

Answer 9

thers a sweedish co. called toll ind. that came up with the sproter kit in which your sprocket and brake rotor are the same part pretty kool really ya might look into it and what else they have but thats all I got ta say about that.

Answer 10

ever thought of enclosing the belt drive to keep the cr ap out...

not sure how mechanicaly minded you are.. but you could build the enclosure out of acrylic plastic fairly easily.. or fiberglass..