| Author | Message | ||
     Exploredasurf |
Shot some photo's of what seems to be one of the better ways of doing a chain configuration on buell xb type bike. } (Message edited by exploredasurf on August 23, 2014) | ||
| Exploredasurf |
 The pics are small but hope you get the idea. First ordered one of theses from e-bay http://www.ebay.com/itm/151292630477?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649  Then went to work, I have come up with a few diffrent tensioners, trying to make the chain work, but this was the ticket. In the end I would have to order 100.00 dollars in springs because for heavy duty springs theres nothing available. maybe lucky to find torsion spring that will do 1 pds. torque. Well here are more photos   basically what is needed is 1" stock metal you can find at home depot, you will have to drill 3/8 holes in it so maybe drill bit too. then 3/8 hardware. picture below will show 1" peice of metal used for a support bracket.   | ||
| Exploredasurf |
Next pic shows if you can tell I rolled spring to advance deflection. This put a little more spring into the step, helps with a heavier chain and prevents too much slack. Rolled the spring and drilled hole for end tab to seat.  | ||
| Dwilson357 |
Now I'm not trying to knock your idea, Isn't the Free Spirits one something like 160? I ask because the base of yours looks kind of cheap. Again not you work or what you've done just the quality of the metal for the tensioner? Either way nice thinking though, I'm not sure what the free throw on your tensioner is but you could mill a slot in your secondary mount to get it tighter in the future too. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I like what you are trying to do here but instead of re-inventing the wheel, why not research automotive belt tensioners until you identify one that can be easily adapted to a Buell? I'm sure one exists, is thoroughly tested having been used on a Ford or whatever for 10 years) and is about $20. It would be for a belt but it shouldn't take much work to put a sprocket on it if that's what you're after. I had this thought last year but dropped it at the research part. Once a suitable automotive tensioner is found and a bit of testing done, a new small business could start up..... (Message edited by panhead_dan on August 23, 2014) | ||
| Exploredasurf |
Well automotive tensioner would conflict with the two lugs extending form the chasis. it would take quite of bit of work to get one to work. Unlike this one that is universal even welds, bolts etc. Its not cheap at all, heavy harley chrome, no joke. simple yes cheap no. It does show the the spring thats ugly, but the advantage is easy to work with and easy to build. money is expensive. free spirits is aluminum with a compression spring, they all show the tensioner with out the spring used as a stationary idler. Seemed like the compression spring was not up to holding the weight. I did a version of the free spirits and it compressed the spring all the way to bottom line. the spring of this one is about 3 times the size could upgrade to a stiffer spring if neccessary, Remove and replace with out thinking. Like for 530 for the 1200 class bikes. Milling the slot may bring it too close to the frame and chain. When the chain releases it will rub outside spring housing. And mess up the chrome, (A SIN). But the idea like slotted 2ndary bolt, or extension piece, then slide do desired tension, would work. Milling Machine to rich for my blood, hacking one out with die grinder, no fun. | ||
| Greg_e |
The big problem is the change in forces when you let off the throttle and coast down. The wheel now pulls the engine and puts the slack at the top. Then when you get back on the throttle, things really wind up before smacking back into go mode. That must be the reason the stock belt tensioner isn't spring loaded. (Message edited by greg_e on August 24, 2014) | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
I like my clean belt.. what will a chain do for you? | ||
| Exploredasurf |
Ok Ok enough, I used masking tape on swing arm, it will show any where the chain is hitting, then I used a paint pen to paint a tooth of the sprocket, it show if sprocket is being worn away from things being to tight. Check back later with pictures and eliminate BLAH Blah blah. It does the slack from the top with the stock tensioner too. with any chain with any tensioner with any belt. Yes the tensioner moves acceleration deceleration that is the idea, the difference is there's constant tension on chain, that is more fluid movement than slack with a stationary idler, as well as suspension articulation no one has mentioned that yet. articulation combined with acceleration with deceleration does cause tensioner to move, maybe even slap, but the tension on the chain is allays there preventing falling off sprocket. If tensioner is working properly with right amount of tension there shouldn't be any chain slapping components, like swing arm. There will allways be chain slap unless a really tight stationary system that never stops, constant speed. If you don't like it don't use it. The reson why I like the chain, If your belt breaks IN Bum F Egypt, Go to the hardware store buy a link, If your belt Breaks on a bike they don't manufacture any more your S O L . (Message edited by exploredasurf on August 24, 2014) | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
"IF" I ever get to BF Egypt I'll have a spare belt along.. and hardware stores there only have metric master links.. just in Jest Ex... | ||
| Exploredasurf |
What if the pharaoh has that one cut too. oh man didn't think of that one. Should consider those factors. Yea invading euros wanted screw every thing up for the Egyptians too. Chain sizes Most imperial and metric sized chain is interchangeable, the "metric" sizes being direct equivalents of the imperial sizes, eg 5/8 X 3/8 = 530. Here is a handy conversion chart Renold 110044 = ½ "X 3/16" = 420 * (see below for exception) Renold 110046 = ½" X5/16" = 428 Renold 110054 = 5/8" X ¼" = 520 Renold 110056 = 5/8" X 3/8" = 530 or 50 * BSA/Triumph Bantam/Cub and similar earlier lightweight British motorcycles must use Renold ½" X 3/16" chain. This is because metric equivalents, although having the same pitch and width, have slightly larger rollers, which of course will not seat into the sprockets and will very quickly knock the tops off the sprocket teeth | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
good lesson, until I got my Uly I always had driveshafts.. well I did have a few KLR's.. hated that chain. | ||
| Bearracing |
I use this chain kit on my buell. http://www.freespirits.it/en/component/virtuemart/ b/transmission-buell/buell-xb-chain-conversiondet. html?Itemid=0 | ||
| Greg_e |
Does it have a spring to tension or is it only set by screwing the adjust rod in or out? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
>>..... hated that chain. I totally concur. I have hated every chain I have ever needed to deal with in all my bikes. Worst was a ride in the rain up to Quebec on my old ironhead. I had to buy a new chain when I got there. 500+ miles of rain with no lube on the highway = floppy rusty junk. Messy, noisy, heavy. At least a shaft is quiet and tidy if heavy. | ||
| Bearracing |
The freespirit chain kit adjust is set by a rod that your thread in or out for adjustment. Belt tensioner is by spring. http://www.freespirits.it/en/component/virtuemart/ b/transmission-buell/buell-xb-belt-tensioner-black det.html?Itemid=0 | ||
| Jfkersh |
Good one. I have tried to create a tensioner for awhile. I ended up giving up on the idea. It was difficult to work out the correct chain length/sprocket ratio to fit a short wheel base XB. I found the weight of the chain was slowing down acceleration on my XB9. maybe a 12 would be better. Not sure? Thanks again. I ended up adding a top sprocket attached to the upper arm of the swing arm. It looked pretty crazy, worked good, no slap from the chain on the swing arm. Cheers |
