I disagree wth not using a beltdrive system on a road bike. The triplex chain and steel drum is a lot harder on the Gearbox and cause a huge flywheel effect than the lighter alloy clutch basket and lighter belt which tends to cushion the shock on the tooth faces in the gears. IMHO. Most beltdrive have a slightly different ratio than chain and then to ease the Gearbox. Remember the AMC box was originally designed for about 35 hp. Giving the box all the help you can is a good thing.
A Commando box in good condition will handle the power of a mildly tuned Commando engine, and certainly it will do that in the hands of most road riders.
The increased primary ratio is a separate issue. In late '75 I had a 33 tooth front sprocket made to spin the gearbox faster, this gave a 1.727:1 ratio. This wasn't my idea, it was a works Norton idea.
I didn't take the inner cover off of the gearbox in the following 4 race seasons, at a time when others were blowing up boxes every weekend! (I will clarify I chose a stonger 4 speed over a 5 in the era of push starts...those with 5 speeds pushed off in 2nd, me in 1st...actually the same ratio. Changing the ratio is a great idea on a race bike, which belts were developed for. For most the change of ratio isn't their motivation.
Most just want to end the drip of oil on their garage floor. A belt drive is a very expensive solution to that.
Yes you reduce weight, the one I have chosen is even lighter than most by being smaller, so less weight again.
Do belts cushion shock? Not everyone it seems agrees with that, and indeed not every belt is constructed the same, and in particular, not every belt is set up correctly!
For most users, it is a solution to a problem they didn't have. But hey, it is each individual's choice regarding what he spends on as a priority.
I would argue that a good gearbox overhaul should be prioritised over fitting a belt drive. And should certainly be done before fitting a belt drive badly!