How to convert from a belt to chain drive on a motorcycle: Harley-Davidson Sportster
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- Опубліковано 5 січ 2019
- A diy, step by step video demonstration on how to convert from a belt to chain drive on a motorcycle : Harley-Davidson Sportster.
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This includes how to remove the belt, rear wheel and replace it with a chain drive. This is also know as a Sportster chain conversion, using Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight.
#chainconversion #chaindrive #motorcyclechain #hd48 #HarleyDavidson #Harley #HDFortyEight #motorcycle #sportster
Notes:
The nut in front of the sprocket needs a socket that is 29mm or 1 1/8 inch. The axle nut with pin in the other side will need a 36mm or 1 7/16 inch socket.
In this video:
RK Racing Chain 120-Links X-Ring Chain
Venom Motorcycle Bike Front Tire Wheel Chock Lift Stand
Chain conversion kits (not affiliated):
lowbrowcustoms
Chain Breaker:
ABN Chain Breaker Chain Cutter and Riveter
RK Racing Universal Chain Breaker, Cutter, Press-Fit and Rivet Tool
Motion Pro Chain Breaker and Riveting Tool
Motion Pro PBR Chain Breaker
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Disclaimer:
This video is for demonstration and entertainment purposes only. All viewers must take responsibility for their own choices and actions. The creators of this video and anyone recorded in the video are not responsible and do not assume any responsibility for all purchases, damage, injury, death or dismemberment resulting from the performance of any operation in this video. Use the proper parts, specifications and safety procedures for your own application. - Авто та транспорт
I think you need to forward the axle when you cut the chain to the correct size so that you can adjust the tension.
Agreed and thanks for the feedback. The stock axle was far back on the fork but installing it on the end as seen in the video was a mistake and leads little room for adjustment.
Subscribed. Great step by step. I'm gonna do this on my 2013 72 sporty.
That’s great, thanks for the feedback and the support. Good luck with your chain conversion.
Just what I needed. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment.
Great informative vide. By far the best instructional vehicle video I’ve ever seen. Keep up the great work! I subscribed to you!
Thank you for the feedback and the sub, it's much appreciated.
Thank you great video.
Thank you for the feedback, the link to the kit installed in this video is in the description. The company is Lowbrow Customs. I am not affiliated with them but and happy to say that the kit has held up well for thousands of miles ridden.
Thanks for the help
Your welcome. I also appreciate your feedback.
chain is good for wheelies and i like the big sproket more HP you loose a little speed also put some grease on that counter shaft big improvement for bar hoppen
Thank you for the tip, I'll grease it up.
That 22 up front and 53 on the back is gonna make for some high rpms on the highway. I found that with a 23 and a 47, I'm passing traffic on the interstate like they're going backwards.
Agreed, this setup is best below freeway speeds. Fun around for short trips and up hills.
What is the socket size for the front sproket nut, and rear axle nut? Great video!
The nut in front of the sprocket needs a socket that is 29mm or 1 1/8 inch. The axle nut with pin in the other side will need a 36mm or 1 7/16 inch socket.
Do you not tension the chain with the weight of the bike on the floor and maybe rider on ?
Paul that's a great question. The proper tension (distance) must be checked with the bike on the ground and drivetrain as ready to ride. This would be made easy with a second person to measure while the primary rider is on the motorcycle. That being written I have only ever tensioned chains with at least the rear wheel up so that the rear axle slides back and forth with the adjustment nuts. Although it is really a two step process with periodic checks (on the ground), I overlooked the it while filming this video.
Hey there! It has been a while, I FINALLY got my chain conversion done, but the chain is very close to my frame downtube under the oil tank, about 1/16th of an inch, very close. How close is yours?
It was close, probably about a 1/4 inch but never rubbed. Possibly double check if your kit came with a spacer between the rear wheel and rear sprocket for more clearance.
@@TryAdaptLearn I used the spacer that was provided, I was thinking it shouldn't move from side to side so it shouldn't contact it. It might be closer to 1/8th but it's a small gap! Thanks for getting back to me!
Good look with it. The gap should be small but not that that small. The chain didn’t rub. If it does rub on your bike you may want to take a photo and send it to the retailer/manufacturer of the kit.
what better chain our built i just got a 72 low rider
It's up to the rider. The stock belt works for a stock engine and is less maintenance. I chose the chain because of the ability to change the gear ratio and as a throwback to the older sportsters.
Can you advise where you got the parts from please? Thanks.
There may be other retailers but I purchased my parts from Lowbrow Customs.
Thanks. I've managed to source them now, but Lowbrow was on my list.
What is the weight difference between the two?
I did not weight the parts. Individually, the sprockets are lighter but the chain is heavier.
What size spacer was used on the rear? Thanks!
The spacer in the kit was included with no specification for the size. Using a measuring tape, it sets the sprocket approx. 1/2 inch from the wheel.
@@TryAdaptLearn better yet, what kit was used? I also have a 48 so that will answer my question and solve my problem all at once! Thank you very much for getting back to me!
@@jonnymac8925 I purchased the kit from Lowbrow Customs.
@@TryAdaptLearn I am finally getting around to doing the chain on my 48. What size socket is the reverse thread sprocket nut up front? Thanks again!
@@jonnymac8925 In the video, I used a 1 7/8" socket to remove and Transmission sprocket nut on this Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Sportster.
whats the size of the spacer?
The spacer in the kit was included with no specification for the size. Using a measuring tape, it sets the sprocket approx. 1/2 inch from the wheel.
What the benefit, of any, to doing this?
In my opinion, there is a more customization available when you change to chain. You can interchange different sized (or toothed) sprockets at the front or rear to affect performance. A bigger rear sprocket to front sprocket ratio usually gives more acceleration from zero and low-end torque. Smaller rear sprocket to front sprocket ratio usually gives more top end speed. For belts, the durability and lack of a need for maintenance is the selling point for most. You have to clean and lubricate chains quite often. Also, a lot of people convert to chain when they want to throw in a bigger rear tire as well, because belts take up a lot more lateral space. It's fun to play around with. I would say the chain "feels" like it has a little more oomph to it, but that could easily just be the placebo effect.
I did it for the aesthetic to add to in my opinion the classic look a Harley Sportster has. Benefits to performance depend on the riding conditions and other parts in the drivetrain. As mentioned in the previous comment, the gear ratio can be changed, but there is much more maintenance for a chain compared with a belt.
I want to do the same but inverted, to a Kawasaki z 400 / 650, I will need to search for regulations in my country Spain.
Sounds like a it will be a good mod for your bike. Good luck if it passes the regulations.
But why? I always thought that belt is better than a chain, because it's require less maintenance
For a stock application, the belt is better most of the time for the resons you pointed out. This conversion was done for the asthetics of the older models. The few advantages that will require the additonal mataintenance would include: strength of a chain for high performace setups and/or ability to change the final drive gear ratio with the different sets of sprockets.
how many tooth ?
The front sprocket offered with these kits is 22 teeth.
The rear sprockets offered with these kits are 52 or 53 teeth.
@@TryAdaptLearn thankyou very much! sir.
I don’t know what We still have belts feel like chains are just still the way to go but suck ugly they slip a dam lot
The belt is definitely a lot cleaner, less maintenance and less cost associated with maintenance. The chain conversation was chosen for the look. In my opinion, the chain was worth it, so it worked what I wanted to do with the motorcycle.
Grease the inside of the bearings instead.
Very true, it’s sealed. I wanted to add some to help slide it over the axle and maybe help with corrosion on it and the other parts and axle since it was ridden and parked in the rain.
Why changing a belt drive to a chain drive? Belt is trouble free. Chain is so much trouble!
I agree the chain is more maintenance, it was chosen for the aesthetic and overall goal for how I want the motorcycle to look.
belts can snap anytime, chains dont usually break
Harley isnt noisy enough i guess, so add some chain noise to the mix...
This is true, although I canʻt hear the chain because of the Harley noise, thanks for the comment.
I dont call it noise, its music to me to hear my mechanical beasty!
Lol yea belts are for pants not bikes maybe a belts good enough for you on your little Sunday rides but for a person like me who beats the living shit outta my sporty with burnouts, rolling burnouts, drifts and wheelies ive snapped 2 belts! Since the new chain drive kit I don't worry anymore!
Wow, wouldn't want you touching my bike!!
Thank you for your feedback. I’m not a professional technician, just sharing what I did at the time. Hopefully others can learn even if just by avoiding the mistakes I make or be entertained with the process.
@@TryAdaptLearn it's not about the mistakes you made. It was how heavy handed you were mate
Got it. Thanks for the the feedback, corrections and observations are appreciated. Cheers.