The only time my chain got noisy enough to notice was 1,300 miles into a 2,500 mile trip when the chain on my '97 (with about 15,000 on the factory chain) decided to go south and sag out totally all at once. Three hard days in rain, lack of lube, old age, 100 lbs of camping gear, and enthusiastic throttle twisting managed to stretch the chain nearly to the end of its adjustment. I found a bike shop in Columbus, got some BelRay, cleaned the chain as best as I could and lubed it. Did the same thing after I got to VMD, plus an adjustment, and then made it back home without hearing any excessive noise. I replaced the chain after I got back home. The B12 now has 13K on the DID Gold and has only needed to be adjusted twice. Quality does make a difference!
'97 B12, D&D, Dale Walker Stage II, 5 degree advancer, & misc. tweaks.