| Author | Message | ||
     Jrod |
I see that they have a chain convertion kit for the xb. I was just wondering if anyone knew if it is worth getting? What does it do? How reliable would it be? Sorry for all the ?s but I am new to the whole Buell thing. Thanks to all for your time and help. Jason | ||
| Lucas70374 |
It just depends on what you want to do with the bike. If you into track time then the chain drive conversion kit would prob. be worth your while. If you going to stay on the street with stock motor then the belt would better. The advantage at the track is you can adjust drive ratios in only a couple mins. Also is you do motor work then the chain can handle it unlike a belt. | ||
| Kevyn |
Jason, DISCLAIMER: I don't have an XB... However, I have to ask why you would want a chain? In most circumstances, the belt drive developed by HD and as applied to the Buell XB's is just excellent. Especially with the XB's! That belt tensioner is an engineering marvel and has a real impact on handling characteristics and belt longevity. You'll lose that with a chain or have to re-engineer a wheel to deal with the chain slack. You'll have to apply a rub block to your swing arm--not a big deal really. But, unless you're seriously into racing your XB, the belt is about as reliable as it gets. Weighs less--even with the tensioner--and is infinitely cleaner. Isn't the XB axle fixed--not adjustable--in the swing arm? I think you may have to make some adaptations to the swing arm for chain adjustment/stretch for the XB. Chain advantages? Quick/easy sprocket changes? Fairly inexpensive to replace. Lots of neat little tools to break them apart and repair them when they break. Lots of products to clean and lubricate them. I don't mind doing chain maintenance. It's kind of a Zen way of getting in touch with the bike. The new chain waxes don't 'fling' and 'stick' as bad as the old stuff. The chain waxes will attract and hold dirt and debris. The chain will stretch and need to be adjusted. Chain care cannot be overlooked! Neglect a chain and you'll wear out the sprockets quickly, have some nasty drive lash, hear strange noises as the links bind and jerk and seriously upset low speed handling characteristics. The belt? Kind of a 'it's there, forget about it' situation... Unless you're going to race your XB and need to change sprockets, I just don't see any advantage. From what I can gather, installed, aligned and tensioned properly, the belts have a long service life, handle massive torque loads effortlessly, run cooler and cleaner with less maintenance. | ||
| Slaughter |
I race - and I would not have a chain drive if I didn't race. Yes, you can change ratios much more simply - but you have higher maintenance. The first XB belts out had problems solved in the new models. I've got a belt on my S3 street bike - 35K miles no trouble - and a few in our BRAG group have the new XB bikes with the newer belts and I'd say zero problems but they're all less than 10K miles. | ||
| Fullpower |
"The belt? Kind of a 'it's there, forget about it' situation" yeah right forget about it until you are pushing the bike down the road, wondering who has a parts store open and a BUell belt in stock at midnight saturday. the belt will fail, at some random point in time, with absolutely no warning of its iminent demise. had too many weekends rides hung up from broken final drive belts to ever trust one again. presently using a segmented steel alloy toothed drive system:  | ||
| Kevyn |
That's a very nice ticket! Alrighty then, we have a decent option. Sprocket changes and the tension wheel. What about axle adjustments for chain stretch? Or, does the tension wheel pretty much get the job done? | ||
| Fullpower |
tension adjustment is easily done with a 9/16 wrench, used a round file to slot the idler sprocket arm. adjustment is done in less then 3 minutes, keeps its adjustment pretty well, dont need to mess with it much. axle does not need to move. | ||
| Jrod |
Thanks for all the info. I was just wondering what the difference was. I am not going to race or anything just thought the chain would be more reliable but there is more involved to it. Again this is my first Buell and I am in my learning phase so thanks again to everyone for the info. | ||
| Kevyn |
OK, now I see the adjustment! Neat!! For some strange reason, that chain set up looks appealing. Dare I ask about the origins? Kit? Self-fabricated? How about some pics of the rear sprocket set-up? Whatever. It looks solid and from what you say, gets the job done. IF, I were considering switching to a chain, that is worthy of serious considerations... | ||
| Fullpower |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/116999.jpg | ||
| Spatten1 |
Fullpower, how did you get an O-Ring chain with a master link? I thought they were all press fit. | ||
| Bomber |
lot's of o- and x-ring chains come with masterlinks -- nuthin unusal at all J -- chain v belt is soarta a religious debate round here -- the failure rate on the belts is low (specially after the 03 change), but when it happens to you, that singular data point assumes much great import |
