to my regret I did not fully read all your posts , guys, but the theme I was very interested...
I also have the experience of the operation of a savage with a chain in the drive and belt in the drive . so here is my very personal feelings...
at first, when I only bought his savage 400 he had the drive chain, however, she was already very badly sprained, terribly roared and crackled . during the long Russian winter I purchased a set of the chain and the sprokets . and with the coming of spring, installed them and drove season . mileage amounted to about 2-2,5 thousand miles away. a new set of course not noisy as the old... but considering what we have quite dusty road I often have to clean and lubricate the chain-about every week... it's a little annoyed .
then I chanced set of belt and drive pulley with a small meleage . I purchased and installed(although the traction sheave I got from Kawasaki EN 450 and now I can play with the transfer ratio)
.
the cost of money is about the same...chain kit cost me about $ 170 and 150$ for belt/pulley kit.
with the belt I like to ride no need to frequently wash and lubricated(my hands were clean
) other benefits you guys described above the size of the chain(if all the same you Dave want to install only the chain) in the effluent was established chain of 520 size. and I think there is no need to put the larger .Savage is not powerful sportbike ...and excess weight(520 kit easier 525, that I have set, approximately on 2-3 kg.) savage not needed. well, something like that...
cheers