| Author | Message | ||
     Fullpower |
i looked in the KV section, still cant find chain sprockets to fit XB. also i will need a chain tensioning device that is adjustable and compatible with a 530 o ring chain. i know this has been done, the xb is raced, and they cant be using a belt. | ||
| Bonesbuell |
This site used to have the Firebolt chain conversion. Might try to email them for information. http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com edited by bonesbuell on July 08, 2004 edited by bonesbuell on July 08, 2004 | ||
| Daves |
I think Hal's HD/Buell in New Berlin sells them too. Dave | ||
| Trojan |
We had chain rear sprockets made by Talon Engineering in England and can supply them in any size if you require. Front sprocket is a stock Renthal item but you will need to make a new wider spacer to go behind the front sprocket. We used a 520 chain rather than a 530, it doesn't need any bigger. We made our own chain tensioner device by adapting the stock tensioner and allowing it to moved up/down by about 30 degrees. Just open out the rear mounting hole into a 1" slot. This was enough to take up any slack and allow for small adjustments (we had 3 different size chains to cover a choice of 11 rear sprockets).There is a little filing to be done to the back of the tensioner arm to allow it full movement. The tensioner wheel was one that we got from the Buell race dept. but apparently a gearbox sprocket from a BMW F650 will work. I would add that this is a good race system, but why would you want to run a chain on the road? Remember there is no cush drive in the rear wheel so drive can be snatchy at low speed.   edited by trojan on July 09, 2004 | ||
| 1320 |
Vortex makes the XB rear sprockets up to a 50 tooth. Sprocket Specialities makes them bigger if you like. Any 5 speed XL/Buell sprocket will work on the front with the proper spacer. | ||
| Johnnyprocket |
go to www.racingmotorcycles.com go to the chain drive section. | ||
| Rosko |
couldn't find it | ||
| Austinrider |
www.racingmotorcycles.com Home » Frame & Chassis » Swingarm & Parts Price: $1,299.00 Standard Lengh Race Swingarm. Chain Conversion Kit For Racing or Street Use. This Kit Includes; Swingarm, Axel, Axel Blocks, Chain Idler, Wheel Spacers, Caliper Bracket, & Rear Rotor Spacer. There is a $250 CORE CHARGE That is not Included In The Price. The Returned Swingarm Must Be In Perfect Shape. | ||
| Rosko |
In all honesty, why would you need to replace the swingarm....when I rebuilt the Shovel, I bought 2 new Boyd's wheels, and they were being sold as a bolt on for newer Harley's...the shovel runs a chain (amen!). All that it took was a sprocket with the correct offset and the correct size spacers. It really seems to me that since it has been done, it's possible. A new front sprocket & spacer, rear sprocket and spacer, idler sprocket, and chain....as long as all the sprockets line up and aren't any wider combined than the stock pieces, where's the problem?....In fact, instead of using an idler SPROCKET, one could probably use a urethene tensioner, such as one from a primary chain.. | ||
| 03bolt |
I have been looking into doing this for a while but I cant seem to find anyone who will sell the stuff myself. I really dont want to have to buy the swing arm I think that it is unnecesary. I want to have more acceleration and be able to change the sprocets but the belt sprockets cost like $800+ I think i could do the chain conversion for less than the cost of ne belt sprockets or at least similar. Any pricing and part number info on any of this stuff would really help guys. anything accept racingmotorcycles.com | ||
| 1320 |
Trojan pic above uses the stock swingarm,,,good idea...Hals and others redo the swingarm and you use a different than stock axle so that you have chain tension adjustment ala tube frame... | ||
| Rosko |
seems to me, then that you should need the following: 1) rear sprocket...$60 (in chrome) 2) front sprocket...$60 3) o-ring chain...$120 misc. spacers...$25 tensioner sprocket or urethene alider...$50 Total...$295 and I looked, the stock rear belt pulley in centered (the spokes are centered in the pulley with no offset, so a flat sprocket should work, same with the front)...That's alot cheaper than $1300 | ||
| 03bolt |
Rosko where did you go to get your pricing info an all of this stuff? anyone know how big the spacers would need to be to do this? | ||
| Rosko |
I'm trying to remember from when I did the shovel rebuild....that's been 3-4 years. I bought all the stuff at Easyrider's here in Columbus. Spacers are cheap, at least they were for the Harley, and I can't see the one's for the Buell costing much more. | ||
| Rosko |
Alright, I just checked my '03 Custom Chrome catalog...as far as being Buell specific parts, they're not, this I know...all parts are for '92 Sportsters, last year for the chains... Trans sprockets (21-23 tooth) run about $40 Rear sprockets (46-51 tooth) run $44-53 Nickel plated 530 Oring chains run $100-115 also available, colored chains (Gold, Red, Chrome, Blue, Yellow)...$119-145 Spacers are less than $10 each. Seems alot cheaper and easier than what I've seen that's being sold! | ||
| 03bolt |
Trojan I was wondering if you might happen to know the sizes of spacers you used were. also where I might be able to get my hands on one of the tensioner wheels like you have used? also does anyone know what size chain sprockets would be equal to the stock ratios with the belt | ||
| Trojan |
Unfortunately I can't remember the size of the spacer, and the bike is now in Italy so I can't measure it  The tensioner wheel came from the Buell factory race dept, but I have been told that a gearbox sprocket from a BMW F650 will fit, although you will have to adapt it to get the bearings in. Other advantages to using the stock swingarm are that the wheel is always dead central and properly aligned, and that changing sprockets doesn't affect the wheelbase like a normal chain adjuster would. | ||
| Starter |
Why do you guys want to change over? I work in a quarry and everything we got runs on belts, which are exactly the same type (Goodyear Hibrex) used on the 2004 xb12. I've got a guy looking into getting me one for hte buell. It seems to me that the belts may be able to be had quite a bit cheaper since the ones in the quarry are sometimes 3 times as wide and only cost 1/3 as much as the Buell version. I'll keep you guy posted if I can get a part number. | ||
| Rosko |
chains...no neccesary chain guard, different size sprockets that are CHEAP, easier to replace a chain than a belt | ||
| Curtyd |
But now you're stuck with all that damn chain lube spray on your bike, clothes, saddlebags and anything else you have around. NO THANKS, I hope to never go back to that, I'd probably go for another drive shafter bike first. | ||
| Fullpower |
my reasons for wanting a chain drive are simply to have a reliable motorcycle that i can ride any where anytime, and not have to call my wife at midnite to scramble 350 miles with a spare belt that should not have broke in first place, and that i was damn lucky to have a spare for at home. i have had 3 road trips interupted by broken belts . friends 883 sportster belt broke 23 hours and 1055 miles into a road trip in may of this year, and over july 4th weekend my buell shat its belt in talkeetna. my first motorcycle was (is) a 1998 883 sportster, which broke its first belt with only 8000 miles on. dealers always look at me funny and say things like " gee, we've never seen 'em break before, guess we'll have to order you one....." | ||
| Curtyd |
My M2 had over 35K on it when I traded her for the XB9S. Never even touched the belt, just lucky, I guess. Sure did replace a lot of chains when they finally started stretching so much I couldn't keep up with the adjustment. Now on the way cross Texas to Calif. that was a real pain. | ||
| Englishman119 |
I've got the Racingmotorcycles (Same as Woodcraft item) chain drive on my XB and Im happy with it. Like Trojan's suggestion, you have to get your own front sprocket spacer made. Or you did 6 months ago when I purchased it. The Hals kit is a complete kit....but at another $1000......You decide. Easy to fit. Mark | ||
| 03bolt |
I totally agree with ROSCO on this one. The reason I want the chain conversion is that I want to be able to change sprockets without spending $800 every time I decide I want to change them. I think I am going to try and go the route that Trojan went on the conversion. I have been looking into it and I think that I can do it for around $400 all I need to find out now is sprocket sizes mainly the front sprocket. | ||
| Johncr250 |
A new O ring or X ring chain has internal lube and is sealed from the outside. They are practically maint free. You don`t need to go spraying lots of lube on them. The only reason that they require ANY lube is to prevent the outside of the chain from rusting. | ||
| Rosko |
Thanks, Bolt | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
American Sport Bike has a chain kit for converting the tuber Buells...will it work for an XB if you added the tensioner sprocket seperately? http://www.americansportbike.com/shop/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F1533562&rnd=8339 296&rrc=N&affl=&cip=68.73.54.225&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Chain&cat=new&catstr=HOME :new | ||
| Starter |
I dunno about only needing lube for rust prevention. They still require lube between the sprocket and roller to stop excessive heat build up which is what makes the chain wear really quick. My old GSXR used to eat chains like there was no tomorrow if they weren't constantly smothered in gear oil. Nice light alloy sprockets were a waste of labour. | ||
| Fullpower |
here's the problem:   | ||
| Fullpower |
trojan, 1320, and all: thanks for all the info, and pics. i have a rear sprocket on the way 50 tooth, 530 size from vortex. will next order front sprocket like sportsters used in 1992, and a Harley branded RK nickel plated oring chain from local HD shop. will post resulting lash-up as project progresses. question.. how long do you suppose a skateboard wheel would last as a chain tensioner pulley? | ||
| M1combat |
Skateboard wheels last a LONG time as chain tensioners  . | ||
| Fullpower |
long time as in days. or thousands of miles? should i pack a spare wheel? | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
FP I have got to say, that is the cleanest damn break on a belt I have ever seen. ALL of the broken belts off H-D's/Buells I have seen were jagged, but yours looks alot like it was scored with a blade of some sort...just an observation mind you, maybe some of the shop workers have seen them break in that manner more then I have. I am alot more used to the broken ends being somewhat shredded. | ||
| Austinrider |
Wycked - You should have seen when my 03 belt let loose. It looked like it was cut with a razor blade. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
That is what I am saying Austin, are we sure the belts are really breaking and some ar$hole isn't cutting them? | ||
| Austinrider |
Ideas that didnt make the 05' marketing pitch: "Free with every XB Purchase, invisible little gnome to cut your belt at random times!" Yeah, I can see that one not getting past the brainstorming session. | ||
| Fullpower |
working my way throught the chain drive set up. i have 50 tooth rear spreocket mounted, and 21 tooth front, made a spacer 1.70" ID, 2.25" OD, .200 thick to go inboard of stock 1992 sportster front drive sprocket. now working on tensioner unit. incidently, Harley shop called today. the ARE going to warantee broken belt. so i can pick up a new spare anytime. | ||
| Ortegakid |
Fullpower,let me know how it works out, am def going to do it soon also,want to go racing,need gearing choices,thx! |
