Touring chain conversion

[08flstf]

Wondering if any of you have tried the Vulcanworks chain drive conversion for 09&up touring bikes.
http://vulcanworks.net/store/Chain-Conversion-Kit-for-Cush-Drive-Hub-2009-Up-Harley-Touring-Bagger-Dresser.html
It looks like a cheaper alternative to some of the other choices out there, just wondering if anyone here has any personal feedback on this they could share.

[HighLiner]

I recently purchased the Bikers Choice chain conversion which is a rebranded Vulcan product.  I haven't installed it yet but it looks really nice

[motorhogman]

OK, besides "because we can"  why would you want to put a chain on a trouble free belt drive bike ?

Is the engine built up to strong for the belt ?

If there was one thing I never missed about my old bikes it was that chain..

[08flstf]

I have a 124 crate motor from Frank. It's not the baddest thing on the street but makes 137 at the wheel. I only have 23,000 miles on my 2012 FLTRX with 7000 of those with the 124. My belt is already at the end of the adjustment, most belts have a longer life span. I'm looking at having to replace the belt sometime in the near future anyway so I'm looking for something that might be a better alternative. Besides I enjoy the occasional hole shot and rolling burnouts. That's what I got it for. LOL

[koko3052]

I'm with you Hogman. When I tour, I long haul & don't want to be messing with a chain every couple days. I would rather replace a belt every winter, if that's what it takes.

[motorhogman]

I have a 124 crate motor from Frank. It's not the baddest thing on the street but makes 137 at the wheel. I only have 23,000 miles on my 2012 FLTRX with 7000 of those with the 124. My belt is already at the end of the adjustment, most belts have a longer life span. I'm looking at having to replace the belt sometime in the near future anyway so I'm looking for something that might be a better alternative. Besides I enjoy the occasional hole shot and rolling burnouts. That's what I got it for. LOL

I see,  I guess if the plan is to abuse it a chain is a whole lot easier to change and will hold up better. I'm kinda stuck with mind set the FLH being for touring.  I know some of the people on here have some pretty built up ones though.

Have over 100,000 mi on my belt now.

The best thing I ever did with chains was the o-ring and ran a chain tensioner on my old shovels.. It helped a lot with vibrations and need for adjusting all the time.

[Ohio HD]

Belt life is based a lot on how they're treated. My '08 Street Glide has 136 SAE at the rear wheel, belt has 67,021 miles, 40,000 of those miles with the 117" motor. Belt still looks good. But, I don't do burn outs. I run the motor hard, but no burn outs. Also, keep them TIGHT. Loose belts break.

[PoorUB]

A while back someone was commenting on hundreds of drag strip passes with a stock belt. After having a belt I am not very fond of chains either, but I suppose they have a place.

[1workinman]

I am not expert on harleys except for spending some coin. I have a 124 in my street glide that is having some work done to it at GMR . I went with the chain conversion this time . I never had any problem with the belt with the before at 145 ish hp but I did not want to be off riding on the scooter and break a belt . Ray chain drive conversion works good so I decided that would work for me. Was it necessary probably not but I just dont want to deal with a broken belt

[Barrett]

I've seen big power bikes still running belts. I know I'll be running my Dyna hard but I feel like the belt will hold for me.
Did the Groundhog143" convert to chain?

[Ohio HD]

Not only the security of a chain when you have a high torque motor, also the rear cush drive gets beat all to death, quickly.

[1workinman]

I've seen big power bikes still running belts. I know I'll be running my Dyna hard but I feel like the belt will hold for me.
Did the Groundhog143" convert to chain?

I think he did . I would think his bike would need it . Really nice bike 

[08flstf]

I had a chain conversion on my Fatboy that had a 117 making 138 hp at the wheel. It was no trouble at all. The o-ring chains of today don't require "messing with every couple days". They have an initial stretch and adjustment then you go a long time before ever having to adjust again. Anyway, my original question wasn't about how many people don't like chains. I simply asked if anyone here that has converted to chain drive (people that don't hate chains) had any experience with the Vulcanworks brand. I can appreciate that some of you don't ride like I do, that's what we got these for. To do what we want with them. This is my therapy, it is not my means of transportation.

[koko3052]

 

[No Cents]

  Everything I have ever bought from Vulcan Works has been of the highest quality. I don't have any experience with their chain conversion kit...but it looks very nice. 
  I run an EK ZZZ o-ring 530 chain and lost the belt years ago. The chain I run is super strong (11,100 pds of tensile strength) and as far as maintaining it...it's a breeze. The modern day chains have come a long way. I just wipe my chain down and lube it when I have the bike up on the lift for an oil change. And someone asked about Randy's old 143 bike...it was converted over to a chain drive.
  The only problem I did have with my chain conversion was keeping the proper chain deflection with the stock HD cam axle. I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

[jsachs1]

At this time I don't think Vulcan has chain adjusters. I hear they're working on offering a set. Trying to keep the chain adjusted with the MoCo stock setup prolly will make you pull your hair out. 
John

[08flstf]

Was thinking I would use the Zippers adjuster kit as well. I don't even like the HD adjusters with the stock belt. Thanks for the input.

[08flstf]

It's all good Koko. Lol Just trying to think of options for this thing. I'm interested in the new M8's but I think I'll at least ride this one one more year. Just want to make it trouble free for the rest of the time I keep her. Most people don't hotrod their touring bikes but this one is my hotrod.

[No Cents]

At this time I don't think Vulcan has chain adjusters. I hear they're working on offering a set. Trying to keep the chain adjusted with the MoCo stock setup prolly will make you pull your hair out. 
John

   you got that right John 
It drove me nuts trying to keep my chain adjusted properly with the factory set up. 
   After I put the Zipper's kit on...I have not had to re-adjust my chain. 

08...I hot rod the heck out of my bike too. If your pounding on them...the chain is the way to go. 

[1workinman]

I asked Steve to order a set of the zippers adjusters to the chain drive he is going to install along with the motor work. I going to order another set for the Road glide as I fairly certain it can use them . I do appreciate all of the testing Ray and others have done its a lot easier to just copy a great build lol thanks 

[Eglider05]

  I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

I sure wish somebody offered this kit for my 05 (120").

Rick

[Ohio HD]

  I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

I sure wish somebody offered this kit for my 05 (120").

Rick

This is the route I'm going.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/swingarm.html

[No Cents]

  I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

I sure wish somebody offered this kit for my 05 (120").

Rick

  my bike is an 08...and the Zipper's kit is for 09- up. I had to cut the Zipper's axle to length for my bike beings the axle is longer on the 09- up kit. They didn't offer a kit for 08- down. So I mocked it up and I cut the axle head off and I had it trued up in a lathe and welded a new jam nut back on the end just like the Zipper's axle was. Then I put it back in the lathe and squared the inside edge of the jam nut so it was flat. It was a little work...but well worth the time and effort involved with the results I got.
If your looking for something that will definitely fix your problem for your year...you might want to look at a Trac swing arm. They might be a little expensive...but it would cure your issue. If this Zipper's kit didn't fix my problem...the Trac swing arm was up next on my list.

    added later:
    that RB Racing swing arm mod that Brian showed would be a cheaper route than a Trac aluminum swing arm. The Trac swing arm is custom made per order swing arm...and the base price for my 08 is close to $1100.00. That price is for a complete swing arm with a new axle and built in adjusters for the 02- 08 model years.

[motorhogman]

  I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

I sure wish somebody offered this kit for my 05 (120").

Rick

This is the route I'm going.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/swingarm.html

Looks like great stuff. 

[Eglider05]

  I finally cured that problem with the Zipper's axle and adjusters kit.

I sure wish somebody offered this kit for my 05 (120").

Rick

  my bike is an 08...and the Zipper's kit is for 09- up. I had to cut the Zipper's axle to length for my bike beings the axle is longer on the 09- up kit. They didn't offer a kit for 08- down. So I mocked it up and I cut the axle head off and I had it trued up in a lathe and welded a new jam nut back on the end just like the Zipper's axle was. Then I put it back in the lathe and squared the inside edge of the jam nut so it was flat. It was a little work...but well worth the time and effort involved with the results I got.

I'm liking your solution, should work for me.

Thanks,
Rick