Chain Drive and Gearing

[838]

Picked myself up an 08 night train last weekend. Night trains are the bike that got me hooked on Harley's when they came out years ago, but at 330 pounds I wasn't into the bear riding a mini bike look so I've always ridden baggers. Well... 20 years and 115 pounds of weight lost later I finally picked one up and I'm thrilled!

Well... it's a dog right now... (bone stock 96" with big radius exhaust... with baffles removed... not my doing)  and is going to get lots of upgrades as money comes in... one thing I want to do is a chain drive conversion (down the road).

Who makes a good product?

What gearing would be similar to an 09 touring bike with a 32t compensator installed?

Bike will get a 117-124" someday (hopefully soon) I'm already scheming the build 🤘!!

Below is my stable!

[kd]

Look at RB Racing.  Lots of quick change gear ratios available.  Pricey but top notch.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/index.htm

[rigidthumper]

Maybe this?

[kd]

Nice 

[SB107]

I have a Zippers set up on mine. Looks nice, comes with a high quality O-Ring chain. You can call them and talk to someone about what ratio would suit you best.

https://www.zippersperformance.com/chain-converion-kits-softails/

[Ratfade]

I don't know, but congratulations on you weight loss. That must've been some effort!

[838]

Maybe this?

Can you vouch for quality of these? Only thing I know about Vulcan is they have compensator eliminating sprockets.

[838]

I don't know, but congratulations on you weight loss. That must've been some effort!

That's how I was able to sell the wife on me getting a new bike... if the scale tips to the wrong side of 220... she gets to take my fobs till I get it back down!

And if you look at HP/WT ratio I've gained about 11 ponies per bike!!!

[jmorton10]

The Vulcan stuff is great quality.

I am running both their chain conversion setup & also a solid engine sprocket & adjuster from them in my 2007 RK with 124" S&S motor.

Great service & super quality stuff.

~John

[838]

The Vulcan stuff is great quality.

I am running both their chain conversion setup & also a solid engine sprocket & adjuster from them in my 2007 RK with 124" S&S motor.

Great service & super quality stuff.

~John

What would equate to A 31/68 belt drive (right around 3.00)?

[Ohio HD]

The Vulcan stuff is great quality.

I am running both their chain conversion setup & also a solid engine sprocket & adjuster from them in my 2007 RK with 124" S&S motor.

Great service & super quality stuff.

~John

What would equate to A 31/68 belt drive (right around 3.00)?

31/68 = 2.1935
24/52 = 2.1666
24/53 = 2.2083
24/54 = 2.2500

Need to know the primary ratio to know the overall ratio.

If it's 34/46 then with 24/54 you have 3.0441

[Weyrider]

a 26 / 58 tooth setup would get you 3.018 drive ratio

[838]

The Vulcan stuff is great quality.

I am running both their chain conversion setup & also a solid engine sprocket & adjuster from them in my 2007 RK with 124" S&S motor.

Great service & super quality stuff.

~John

What would equate to A 31/68 belt drive (right around 3.00)?

31/68 = 2.1935
24/52 = 2.1666
24/53 = 2.2083
24/54 = 2.2500

Need to know the primary ratio to know the overall ratio.

If it's 34/46 then with 24/54 you have 3.0441

Vulcan has 24/55... bike has stock primary gearing now (08 softail), will keep this ratio stock too if going chain drive (with 34t darkhorse) if I stay belt I'll do 32t darkhorse).

[Ohio HD]

a 26 / 58 tooth setup would get you 3.018 drive ratio

Will a 26 tooth fit in with a six speed transmission and stock inner primary?

[kd]

a 26 / 58 tooth setup would get you 3.018 drive ratio

Will a 26 tooth fit in with a six speed transmission and stock inner primary?

  Large transmission sprockets require a very well adjusted drive chain. The close clearances can cause interference contact when the chain blows out from centrifugal force (especially on decel).

[jmorton10]

www.nightrider.com/biketech/calc_gearratios.htm

~John

[Ohio HD]

a 26 / 58 tooth setup would get you 3.018 drive ratio

Will a 26 tooth fit in with a six speed transmission and stock inner primary?

  Large transmission sprockets require a very well adjusted drive chain. The close clearances can cause interference contact when the chain blows out from centrifugal force (especially on decel).

Yep, that's why most only sell 24 and 25 tooth, but recommend 24.

[kd]

 

[Ohio HD]

Easy peasy...

(54/24)*(46/34)=3.0441

[838]

Easy peasy...

(54/24)*(46/34)=3.0441

I think this is what I'd want. Just a touch taller than the game changer final ratio.

Thanks.

[kd]

It's a simple swap with a rear sprocket to go either way.  The trick is having a swingarm with adjustment slots long enough to allow the change on the same chain.  My RB swingarm mod has 2" slots with a 57 adjusted up close and will allow a 57, 55, 53, and 51 at the farthest extension.

[838]

It's a simple swap with a rear sprocket to go either way.  The trick is having a swingarm with adjustment slots long enough to allow the change on the same chain.  My RB swingarm mod has 2" slots with a 57 adjusted up close and will allow a 57, 55, 53, and 51 at the farthest extension.

Would a 54 or 55 tooth rear require swingarm modification?

[kd]

   It may work if you can get the axle with the 55 up tight to the front with the provided chain links working out.  The 54 will be slightly smaller OD so the axle will have to move back for proper chain adjustment.  The two will be very close together in size so the distance will be minimal.  Here's the thing though.  The new chain and sprocket on the initial install will need to be run in (and fairly hard  )  A new chain (and sprocket will wear in and stretch slightly in the first miles of use.  Once broken in, the heavy 530 O-ring chain stays pretty stable.  See where the sprocket you want most fits and then determine if you can make it work.

[Ohio HD]

Easy peasy...

(54/24)*(46/34)=3.0441

I think this is what I'd want. Just a touch taller than the game changer final ratio.

Thanks.

I'm just showing you the equation.

[838]

Easy peasy...

(54/24)*(46/34)=3.0441

I think this is what I'd want. Just a touch taller than the game changer final ratio.

Thanks.

I'm just showing you the equation.

Two Birds, one stone then 👍... Thanks!

[838]

I'd like to go a little further with this question. I'm not a burnout guy, I accelerate hard once the bike is in motion and sometimes the rear tire gives way, but not too often and never intentional. But once in motion I ride hard and accelerate hard.

Is a chain drive necessary? is there worry that the belt could snap simply from the 140tq that's being put to it? What's the maintenance protocol for a chain drive off I do need to go that route?

Thanks

[misfitJason]

What final ratio makes for a good all around gearing/bike? In other words what's a good number to aim for that's not too tall or too short

[Kllongbrake]

No, you don't. If you're honest about your riding style there's no reason to chain drive if your belt and pulleys are in good condition with the proper tension. Seems like a waste of money to me. Only problem I've had is torque pulling the wheel forward but a different axle adjusting setup will fix that.

[kd]

The axle losing (or being out) of adjustment is likely the leading cause of broken belts.   

[1workinman]

The axle losing (or being out) of adjustment is likely the leading cause of broken belts.

When I went chain drive I was expecting having to put up with chain adjustments pretty often but the x ring chain has given good service so far . I just give it a shot of chain lub every now and then and check to see if the chain needs some adjustment but so far it just works . .