| Author | Message | ||
     Trenchtractor |
Well, after messing around with 15 other projects all at once, I finally managed to get a pair of sprockets and a chain (GXW, Just to be sure). Sprockets are steel and the rear is made in Australia. I have to enquire further into the origin of the front. The sprockets line up perfectly using machined faces. The idler has been made adjustable, the locking mech has been designed, the chain slider has also been designed... It's a work in progress... I have made a couple of promises I really need to make good on before this one goes much further... | ||
| Trojan |
On this same note, we will have a chain conversion kit available soon. It will be an updated and improved version of the one we ran successfully on our race bike. The kit will include: 21t front sprocket, 47,48,49 & 50T rear sprockets, chain, adjustable tensioner and a chain guide. It will be completely reversable so that you can run the chain on track days and the belt on the road if you wish, and it will retain the stock swingarm. We'll keep you posted and hopefully it will be available either in time for or just after Christmas   | ||
| Trevor |
I talked to a club racer in Florida who came up with a similar conversion and has raced with it successfully. He picked a length of chain that was common to the 3-4 sprocket combinations (within a 1" tolerance) and ran it until the chain stretched out. He ran it in combination with the 'sportgear' fifth gear main from twistgear (twistgear.net). This combination gave him a 165 mph top speed (at 7,500 rpm in 5th) with a 110 hp motor. I would be very interested in this set-up if the price is right, other chain drive conversions I have seen are very costly and involve major fab work. I like the fact that this is reversible and simple. Keep us posted. | ||
| Rick_a |
Cool | ||
| Nick |
What's the benefit of having a chain on the XB? (a genuine question btw, not a statement). Will the newer belts not stand up to the abuse or is it a ratio thing? Certainly, part of my choice (CityX) was made due to having a belt and no more nasty chain goo all over the place. | ||
| Enduro261 |
The chain is a better choice for racing. The belt is a better choice for road. I wouldn't put a chain on your XB unless you plan to race. The chain needs to be lubed and will sling oil all over as you ride around. | ||
| Paulinoz |
It's all about Ratio's no easy way to change your gearing with a belt. | ||
| Joele |
Certainly, part of my choice (CityX) was made due to having a belt and no more nasty chain goo all over the place. Same here. The smoothness of belt drive was a strong incentive. (Message edited by joele on November 07, 2004) | ||
| Trenchtractor |
Yes, I will admit, I did enjoy the early days of chain-lube-free maintenence, but I snapped a belt after 6,200k's. That's 3,900 miles. I'm not too happy with the idea since the belts here are $430 a pop (I got a new one under warrantee, but don't like my chances of getting another). I think it has a bit to do with our road surface being rather crappy, we have a lot of dirt and loose stone on the bitumen... I religiously was checking my chain weekly, on week i just noticed the kevlar hanging out the side of the belt. Chains are more efficient and I know that with high carbon steel sprockets and a GXW chain I can get 50,000k's if I look after it. You don't have to be a math genious to figure out why I'm changing back. Besides every other bike I've owned has been chain and I've never minded the extra bit of effort to keep them in good nick. (Message edited by trenchtractor on November 08, 2004) | ||
| Ingemar |
I've got 10,000 kays on my belt and it looks worse then my dad's belt on his glide at 60,000 kays. I've got cracks and threads hanging on so I don't expect mine to last much longer. Unless the new belts are really much better or if I find a place for cheaper belts I'm going ahead next year and do the chain conversion. | ||
| Fullpower |
mine looks like this:  | ||
| Nick |
Cool, thanks for the info guys. I wash my bikes LOTS! I kinda enjoy it. I've got loads of kit so I strip em down a bit to get em really really clean. So for me, the hastle of brushing parafin all over the back end, washing it off and relubing got really tiresome. Maybe I have OCD!!!! I really like the XB belt thing. It is smooth. But sometimes still snatchy. More so since primary chain was loosened a little by dealer (too tight from factory causing neutral issues). Still better than chain in that way though. I agree with the cost issue, but I still think it's a shame to go to chain. Each to his (or her) own I guess. I saw some race bike with twin front discs, a chain and some other mods. Kind of defeats the object for me. It's like taking an RX8 (rotary mazda) and swapping the motor for an inline 4 cos it's more efficient. Most would see the motor as a buying point, like the belt and disc on the XB. | ||
| Fullpower |
nick: wrong analogy. both the wankle and inline engines are capable of traversing a gravel parking lot and/or a construction zone and then being driven home. when the belt breaks without warning and leaves you on the side of the road 350 miles from home at midnight, it will have done so with absolutely no forewarning. the chain however will have the common decency to have first stretched and demanded adjustment no fewer than 5 times prior to failure. (Message edited by fullpower on November 08, 2004) | ||
| Racertroy |
hey, i've read the premature belt failure is related to poor tensioner design. Any thoughts on this? | ||
| Trenchtractor |
Yeah Fullpower, or perhaps you boss won't find it amusing when you are two hours late for work when your belt failed halfway there... It's more than a little embarassing, after 3 months of late starts, long lunches and early knock off's while I was working with the Buell technician on the pinging problem, we get the bike sorted and then the belt snaps on the way to work. It doesn't help the Muell's reputation any. I have zero tolerance for unreliable crap and refuse to be left stranded with the same problem twice. I guess the Buell has enough character to make up for it. (I am reminded of the diner scene in Pulp fiction "that's have to be one charmin' mutha f**king pig"  | ||
| Trenchtractor |
 Version 1.0 prototype... Haven't riden it yet, awaiting the return of my plastics... |
