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Your opinions on chain conversion and ride (Read 214 times)
JohnBoy
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Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
04/28/11 at 16:36:48
 
I would like those of you "Who have actually converted to chains" to provide some feed back to the rest of us on the changes that your conversion made to your ride.
Mileage, performance in different gears, noise and vibration, maintenance...

Your honest input would be greatly appreciated. I am considering going that way, and while the charts and math are a great help, actual ride time tells all.  Thanks for your input.
JB
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DangMan
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #1 - 04/29/11 at 05:32:41
 
And I would like to know Y ! We got a mashine with a simple, reliable, low maintenence, long lasting and last but not least no oil to soil the darn thing up !
Must admit, the belt was one of the main reasons that I bought my thumper !
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Routy
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #2 - 04/29/11 at 05:53:04
 
Why on Gods green earth would anybody in their right mind ever ch.....

Never mind,  it wouldn't answer your question. Roll Eyes
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Rich
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justin_o_guy2
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #3 - 04/29/11 at 06:27:47
 
A few years ago a couple of guys did this. Theres a thread in the tech section with he  parts sourced & instructions & opinions on the way it worked out. The guys who did it were sure happy about the way it worked out. Its really an inexpensive mod.
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Boule’tard
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #4 - 04/29/11 at 06:31:00
 
Well I converted back to a bike with a chain, and had almost forgotten that chain maintenance sucks.  On two of the chain drive bikes, I went up a tooth on the countershaft sprocket (7~8% taller) and it was just what the bike needed.  On the bike I have now, the gearing is tall enough and vibration is low enough (for a thumper  Cheesy ) so I am not going to mess with it, even though maintenance chores would be the same.

The Savage seemed to have a close ratio transmission.  1st gear slightly tall, 5th gear slightly short, but the final drive ratio was pretty well chosen.  I don't think you'd get better gas mileage unless you did a LOT of highway miles.. and that would come at the expense of slipping your clutch more in town w/less acceleration out of the hole.  
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Arnold
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #5 - 04/29/11 at 07:34:06
 
I for one dont miss having a bike with a greasy chain on it. Love that belt.
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OE
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #6 - 04/29/11 at 08:03:35
 
Arnold wrote on 04/29/11 at 07:34:06:
I for one dont miss having a bike with a greasy chain on it. Love that belt.

I agree.  I owned several bikes back in the 60's & 70's with chains but when I bought an 88 Softail I was sold on belts.  But I don't have any desire to change ratios either, since this little Savage does all I want it to do.
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BurnPgh
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #7 - 04/29/11 at 13:16:53
 
17/45 would be really nice if you live in a relatively flat area. I switched to a 17/45 and it turned out okay in my neck of the wood (Penn Hills) but after playing around with some ratios stock is really the best for a hilly area.
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MotoBuddha
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #8 - 04/29/11 at 13:38:28
 
Arnold wrote on 04/29/11 at 07:34:06:
I for one dont miss having a bike with a greasy chain on it. Love that belt.


If you're chain is greasy, you're using the wrong stuff.
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Arnold
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #9 - 04/29/11 at 13:56:57
 
Well I meant, if my pants touch my belt inadvertently it does not leave as big a mark.
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clueless-FSO
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #10 - 04/29/11 at 15:06:03
 
I did it to mine before I sold it. 17/43 I think. Made interstate much, much better. Did not lose much of the low end grunt. I was quite happy with it. Cheap, and also reversible. What more can you ask?
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JohnBoy
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #11 - 04/30/11 at 09:10:46
 
Thank you so much for the input from those of you that have actually made the change...and can give objective input.

It seems that most of the replies are from people that have not made the change to chain drive and can only offer reasons why one shouldn't.

I was much more interested in the opinions of members about the actual changes in ride characteristics to 'this' bike. Having ridden for forty years I have considerable experience with chains, belts, and shaft. I am well aware of the pitfalls of each.

Again, thank you for any input that will address the question ask.
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clueless-FSO
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Re: Your opinions on chain conversion and ride
Reply #12 - 04/30/11 at 19:21:16
 
And hence, my signature!
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'96 Black "bed liner" paint.. Ed_L forward controls, HD bars with 1"socket risers, 155 main, pod filter, HD exhaust, punched baffle, modded seat, chain drive conversion, slavy mod
one of a kind
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