[Kenneth_Moore]

My $.02 worth: chains and sprockets do a great job IF you maintain them and replace them when needed. If you don't, a chain failure can be anything from simply peeling off the sprocket onto the road, to violently wadding up into the drive sprocket, locking up the rear tire, smashing inner primaries or similar parts, etc. I watched my pal take a vicious crash on his Ironhead Sporty when the chain failed as he was leaning into the I-95 on-ramp. High sided him right off the embankment. Was it his fault? Probably. It's like the FAA crash analysis reports; they virtually always blame the pilot if the engine fails for not noticing a potential flaw before leaving.

Belts are great for the "cruiser" crowd because they require virtually no maintenace or even adjustment. Shafts are even better from that perspective, but they obviously have their trade-offs in weight, handling, and power loss.

When I got the LR it had this neat oiler that dribbled motor oil onto the chain as the bike went down the road. Said oil would then fling up into the air and all over the back of the bike, underside of the fender, and the passanger's shirt/blouse/jacket. Them was the days!

 

[The_AirHawk]

My $.02 worth: chains and sprockets do a great job IF you maintain them and replace them when needed. If you don't, a chain failure can be anything from simply peeling off the sprocket onto the road, to violently wadding up into the drive sprocket, locking up the rear tire, smashing inner primaries or similar parts, etc. I watched my pal take a vicious crash on his Ironhead Sporty when the chain failed as he was leaning into the I-95 on-ramp. High sided him right off the embankment. Was it his fault? Probably. It's like the FAA crash analysis reports; they virtually always blame the pilot if the engine fails for not noticing a potential flaw before leaving.

A friend of mine told me once of another riding buddy of his: virtually the same bike, same failure, BUT: He didn't have a chainguard on the bike; the chain came-around, took him completely OFF the back of it. Just like a giant octopus yankin' a fisherman out of a dinghy.

Still carries to this day the rash scars - AND the ladder-like scar from the chain. It goes up his back and over his shoulder, and is complete with the "tatoo" stain from the grease. Of course, chains in the '60s and '70s are just like the tires from then: absolutely nothing like those nowadays.