When should you switch to a chain? Chain vs Belt on Harley-Davidson Performance Baggers

Рет қаралды 28,505

Күн бұрын

I finally made the switch to a chain, but was it really necessary? Adam from Zipper's Performance gives us the pros and cons of a chain and tells us when he recommends switching your Harley-Davidson from a belt to a chain.
#travelingtall #ZippersPerformance #harleydavidson
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Traveling Tall
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Пікірлер: 49

@fader2701 Жыл бұрын

i hate chains on my bikes from a tour/maintenance perspective.

@ianrobertson9968 Жыл бұрын

Chain conversion on my Dyna 96TC has been great ,I went with 25 front 55 rear and an endless chain,I have 14000 miles on it now , minimal wear ,very few adjustments and the lower gearing feels much better...I can actually use 6th gear. No more worries about being stranded with a broken belt.

@craigkemmerzell5741 Жыл бұрын

In six gear at 70 mph were are you on the tach

@alexander61516 4 ай бұрын

What the cost to have it professionally done?

@rebeltz2010 2 ай бұрын

@@alexander61516use a Vulcan kit. Superior quality.

@eliedelorme9945 7 ай бұрын

hello bikers, for thirty years I have driven cb500 and 750four VFR hondas then a triumph tiger 750 all with chain, I have never had any breakage although I ride with them every day. I checked once a month 1200 miles possibly a little grease spray or a cloth soaked in engine oil the best in my opinion. This lubrication was necessary if I drove for a week in the rain otherwise every two to three months. to tell you no restrictive maintenance. I adjusted the chain tension once a year with the engine and brake fluid change. Then I had motorbikes with ho da goldwing and bmw cardan shafts, it's really zero maintenance, just a touch of grease through the lubrication valve when servicing, you have to shift gears smoothly although there is a shock absorber. couple. coming we have my first harley sportster; I inevitably use my motorcycle every day, my belt broke after a turn, it makes a funny plop and then the engine revs and freewheels until it stops. fortunately close to the garage. He immobilizes my vehicle for a week while he receives the part he is installing. The next day I climb a slightly steep hill and the new belt breaks...bad experience. I sold that bike and bought a 20k mile HD FXR. I ride every day, it's my favorite motorcycle that I will always keep. Lately she has been skating strangely. Arriving at the garage I noticed that almost all the grooves were missing; it was practically smooth and very greasy. A friend, a retired Harley mechanic, explained to me that the seal behind the pulley deteriorates over time and leaks oil onto the belt, which in turn deteriorates. He told me the replacement cost was €2000!!! I have watched some tutorials and with the right tools I will take out the primary transmission, remove the rear wheel and install a suitable chain kit. I wouldn't have the swinging arm to remove. I would no longer have any risk of belt breakage. In the event of a broken chain, it can be repaired on the road with a few links or a new chain in the bag. You will have understood that the chain has many more advantages than disadvantages. Have a good trip and be careful. Greetings from France

@michaelroy925 Жыл бұрын

So how much horse power and or torque would require a chain? Personally I Love the belt. No maintenance and very clean. Nice video 😎👍

@Ratridez Жыл бұрын

I can't keep a belt on a stock bike , rocks keep breaking them

@JCunningham21 4 ай бұрын

thats what i was here for but wasnt mentioned. iv heard 150ftlbs on a Softail so it would be less on a touring bike. Maybe 120ftlbs @ the wheel id guess.

@tikkabrno 11 ай бұрын

My 84' FLHS Shovelhead came stock with a belt.

@StGlider22 Жыл бұрын

Hey Talls I live 10 mins away from Zippers. That place is awesome. Stay safe out there everyone

@2147crew Жыл бұрын

Great topic! Chain is the way to go for HP/TQ. Great vid!!

@vatiger669 Жыл бұрын

My 128 is square at 148/148 and have had no problems with a belt

@TravelingTall Жыл бұрын

I had no problem with my 124 muscle that made 153 square but I was on the edge of having to have a belt. This new build makes 161 hp 154 tourqe so it just put me over the threshold for a chain. However I have friends with 160 plus and they are still riding with the belt but breaking it is a concern. I'd rather not think about it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

@markurbancowboy Жыл бұрын

The belt is a cleaner look to me and requires no maintenance, would only go with a chain if I were making major power where a chain is needed.

@powamoto Жыл бұрын

This is some Sage advice brah 👏👌🙌

@roadglide Жыл бұрын

Zippers to the rescue. Good move Tall. Knowledge is power.

@waygone6657 2 ай бұрын

I ride a 2011 Softail, the belt with 20,000 miles on it looked fine but broke when barely idling off of a stop. A chain shows wear and lets you know when it needs to be replaced.

@NorCal-refrigeration Жыл бұрын

I switched to chain when belt broke ( rock 🪨) in it. Chain can be replaced road side. Belt is a huge job to replace. That why I switched.

@PepeDeezNutz Жыл бұрын

You carry a spare chain?

@bootymessiah154 Жыл бұрын

@@PepeDeezNutzYou only need a few extra links guy

@DaveMarkovich Жыл бұрын

Hey man, thanks for all your awesome content! I've learned so much just by watching your videos. Peace and love from Israel!

@deadstockflaco Жыл бұрын

Belts are for pants. Plus the chains look so much better

@briandickter2724 Жыл бұрын

Did you upgrade your transmission yet? When you change your chain sprocket size for better low gear acceleration, you might be better off with a Baker GrudgeBox 6 speed transmission since it has a taller 6th gear than stock. In 6th gear on the Interstate, you could probably get a little bit better gas mileage running at slightly lower engine RPMs.

@tonyputman3398 Жыл бұрын

Excellent advice, Brian!! God bless y'all!

@r.williamcomm7693 Жыл бұрын

Yes that’s good advice.

@tscreez490 Жыл бұрын

Great post, I debated going to chain since I got 120HP. I will definitely hit up zippers to ship me a set up from them!

@Manonymous108 Жыл бұрын

Paranoia strikes deep.. bottom line is if you are gonna drive your bike like yer at the track burning rubber at the light then a chain is good. Chains throw oil all over your wheel and tire and there is always the need to keep it adjusted and oiled. Chains stretch more than a belt in my experience.

@gumecindogarcia1070 Жыл бұрын

Do upgrades after paying off them student loans. So far as performance the old days guy from Austin, Texas used to say you can take a new Harley and spend 10k to get it to run low 12s or get a used V Max, put a chain on it and run mid 10s indefinitely. These modern baggers run incredible performance times for 110 year old basic drivetrains

@brianfargher1336 Жыл бұрын

Great video on your upgrade Tall. Love what you are doing . I am actually thinking of doing a Zipper 128 upgrade.

@loosewheel75 Жыл бұрын

After snapping my 4th belt with my 131”RGS I went to chain and axle locks.

@marcusturner5291 Жыл бұрын

Nice review keep up the good work Traveling tall

@taps_1021 Жыл бұрын

I agree . 👍

@rebeltz2010 2 ай бұрын

So simple to maintain a quality O ring chain 100% more reliable, never ever trust a belt.

@nickthinkpainting1978 10 ай бұрын

Had 48,000 miles on my 96” stroker FXR with chain. Minor adjustments ran like a bear 🐻 charging a Karen.

@tonyrhoton6613 Жыл бұрын

All about same on a generous dynob150 to around 160 hp.

@RGHD912 Жыл бұрын

Don’t need a chain unless your racing, doing burnouts all the time etc. I don’t want to clean and oil a chain all the time. Let us know your thoughts on the chain maintenance Tall.