SuzukiSavage.com - What are the benefits of a chain conversion?

gdrseeker Senior Member Offline Addicted!! Posts: 365 Carson Valley NV	What are the benefits of a chain conversion? 04/23/13 at 20:23:26 So I picked up a parts bike and it has a chain conversion. I am thinking about using it on my bike, but I have a few questions. What are the benefits of a chain conversion? What are the disadvantages of a chain conversion? What do I need to look for ...number of teeth, length of chain, number of links?
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justin_o_guy2

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Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion?
Reply #1 - 04/23/13 at 20:43:58

Theres a long thread on this in the Tech section. Barry Hutchinson pioneered this & at least one guy did it also, at the same time, so, you see them talking back & forth about it as they puzzle thru. I Hope Im remembering how that went right.

I know its in Tech, tho & Barry was definitely in there on it.

Barry passed away about the middle of last year, so, he wont be able to answer questions.

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gdrseeker Senior Member Offline Addicted!! Posts: 365 Carson Valley NV	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #2 - 04/23/13 at 21:17:05 Thanks JOG I will see what I can find.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #3 - 04/23/13 at 21:22:29 Holler back if ya get stumped.
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jjn

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Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion?
Reply #4 - 04/24/13 at 01:08:52

Well, I think belts are great. My 2006 XL883 had a belt. No noise. No chain oil thrown all over. They seem to hold adjustment forever. Drawbacks are you can't easily change the gearing.
I honestly don't know which robs more horsepower between a chain or belt.
The only plus I see to a chain and sprockets is that it is way eaiser ti change the gearing.
Others will add to this I'm sure.

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Jon in Puyallup, Wa. USA

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Oldfeller--FSO Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline Hobby is now "concentrated neuropany" Posts: 12673 Fayetteville, NC Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #5 - 04/24/13 at 02:09:47 I bought a chain set, and after 5 years sold it because I could never see a reason to install it. Chains require lubing and maintenance -- belts do not.
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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2119 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #6 - 04/24/13 at 03:37:48 Chain conversion thread is on page 2 of the tech section near the bottom.
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paulmarshall Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1268 Carterton,New Zealand Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #7 - 04/24/13 at 11:55:31 jjn wrote on 04/24/13 at 01:08:52: No chain oil thrown all over. I use a clear silicon chain lube. Its clear and sticks to the chain like glue. No problems with oil flying everywhere . My rear wheel shines like new. Will post a photo of product soon
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paulmarshall Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1268 Carterton,New Zealand Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #8 - 04/24/13 at 14:45:52 Spectra Chain Wax is what I use. And it sticks like wax.Clear wax. Ride it for 20 min to heat the chain before application works best. http://www.colemans-suzuki.co.nz/products/700-z_darbis/2471-spectro_sx_chain_...
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gdrseeker Senior Member Offline Addicted!! Posts: 365 Carson Valley NV	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #9 - 04/25/13 at 08:14:33 So other than lube are there other maintinence issues? The conversion looks easy enough to do I guess I could try it and see what I think. I will have to do some research first.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18101 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #10 - 04/25/13 at 08:32:01 If you install longer shocks like the RYCA does, there can be an issue with the chain contacting the top of the swing arm at the pivot point.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #11 - 04/25/13 at 09:29:27 Every rose has its thorn. YOu get to decide a bit more about how its geared. You have a whole new set of maintenance issues. Sprockets & chains wear. Time spent babying it that wouldnt need spent on a belt.
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apache snow-FSO

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Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion?
Reply #12 - 04/25/13 at 09:34:44

I rode motorcycles for years that had a chain. The chain lubing is the easy part. Chains and sprockets wear and they don't always wear evenly. This causes the chain to have loose and tight places as the wheel rotates. When this happens it is really hard to adjust the chain. Then you have to get a new chain.

I won't have another motorcycle that has a chain if I can help it. (and I can)

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paulmarshall Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1268 Carterton,New Zealand Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #13 - 04/25/13 at 12:13:49 I needed a chain so I could run my 170 on the back. Clocked up over 5000km on this badboy.
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Cavi Mike Serious Thumper Offline Thumper n00b Posts: 1005 Rochester, NY Gender:	Re: What are the benefits of a chain conversion? Reply #14 - 04/25/13 at 19:59:12 Factual benefits are length and gearing choices. Arguable benefit is better performance. Opinionated benefit is better aesthetics.
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