| Author |
Message |
    
Fmaxwell
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 05:49 pm: | 
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The belt guard and chain guard serve one similar purpose: Keeping clothing from getting entangled in the driveline.
Regarding the supposed fragility of the belt to rocks, Buell has fired steel balls and rocks into the running belts to prove them up to snuff for use on the Ulysses adventure tourer. They worked great.
As far as wheel removal, it's really in the noise as far as advantages/disadvantages because it's done so infrequently. It's like arguing that the chain is inferior because you might drop the master link clip and lose it. In the big picture, I agree with Buell: The advantages of the belt really outweigh the disadvantages.
If you do run a chain, though, PLEASE put a countershaft caseguard like this one: http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/duc ati-case-guard/
Like your helmet, you may never need it, but you'll sorely regret it if you need it and don't have it. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 02:01 am: |
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If you think that the 06+ belts are going to last the "life of the bike" you really aren't basing that on reality. Chains
do wear, but not as fast as people are making it out that they do. Remember we're talking about modern o-ring chains,
not the one that came stock on a 78 KZ650.
Trojan broke the 06 belt with less than 600 miles on the bike IIRC, and I know of several Uly owners that have had
belt failures.
I've dropped the rear wheel on both and I KNOW that my chain is much easier to drop too. One wrench, no pinch bolts,
but then again mine is the Hal's conversion, as is the race bike. 
Seriously though, there are advantages to belts, unsprung weight is a big one, but the advantages of the chain are for me
much greater. The versatility of being able to select my final gearing ratio, and knowing that replacement parts are
going to be available at any dealership regardless of brand are huge. Plus never fearing a rock putting a hole in my
final drive gives me tremendous peace of mind. I don't really have the option of walking for help if I break down. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 06:53 am: |
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I can't wait until some BadWebbers get there hands on the 1125R
146HP + 82TQ + Belt Drive = Some interesting threads.... |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 07:54 am: |
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Whats this I see on the Big Bad and Dirty?
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/299241.html?1187153218 |
U4euh
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:44 am: |
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I must step in here and re-emphasize that I cannot afford the 4-5-600 dollar upgrade to the new belts(something I think Buell should offer to the 03 owners, but that is just me). A lot of people have said, 'well you'll only get 9-12000miles etc,etc etc, out of a chain before it needs to be replaced. If you don't own an 2003 model you wouldn't understand that putting a new belt on every 4-5000 miles gets a little tiring and kinda starts to leave a bad taste in your mouth! If I could have gotten 12000 miles out of a belt I'd have only put 3 belts on so far. With 30,000 miles, hard miles at that, that would still be too much. As stated before, the 03 belts are getting scarce( ie-I can have you one ordered and here next week. WTF-what if I am from outta state?)
Since the chain conversion started, I haven't heard complaints from the 'chain gang' and that to me is an attraction to chains. If it breaks, I can get a replacement just about anywhere(let the what if's begin) BIG ATTRACTION-see above
Plus, like stated before, I have the VIR track day coming up. I would be really P.O.d if I got up there and the 03 belt broke before I got to really enjoy the track. Sure they will have some bike's to ride, but I am not one who goes out and pushes my limits on someone else's bike, bad Karma!
So unless anyone want to 'donate' the upgrade parts for the conversion for some price close to the chainkit(ebay is too long a wait) or put up an 03 belt, I'll be going with the chain conversion.
Saintly-you will have email on Friday!!!!!
and thanks for your input, lots of good points made here. |
Pmpski_1
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:56 am: |
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U4euh -
I just did Saintly's chain conversion for those exact reasons. I have an 03.
1. Upgrade kit is a lot more money
2. I can easily carry a spare master link and\or get a replacement almost anywhere.
The other factors that everyone is debating are valid, but in the end it didn't matter. It came down to those two simple reasons. The conversion is simple and I'm really happy with it. If I was worried about wearing things out I would find a different hobby. Gardening maybe... |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:58 am: |
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I have 36,000 trouble free miles on my original 2000 tuber belt. I plan on replacing it with another belt in the future.
But if a belt ever breaks and leaves me stranded... it'll be gone in a heartbeat. |
Ccryder
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:21 am: |
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My 99' S3t had 28,000on the original belt when I traded it in. My 00' X1 RS A.K.A X3 had 38,000 on it's original belt when I sold it. My 96' S2T had 30,000 miles (10k miles with a 110 RHP/ 95ft-lb 1250cc kit).
My point is belts do break but, the majority lead a happy life and get changed when it is convienent.
Time2Work
Neil S. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:37 am: |
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the majority lead a happy life and get changed when it is convienent
I wouldn't call the side of the road after it breaks convenient, I will say that my Road King was built to the hilt and the belt never gave me any problems....But the Uly left me standing on the side of the road. |
U4euh
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:44 am: |
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Apples and Oranges, the pre XB belts seem to be bullet proof compared to the modern versions, especially the 03 models, teeth are probably 1/3 as thick, and belt thickness is probably half by comparison!
Ironically, the belt that lasted me the longest was one that came off a XBr that was produced in September of 02, got a whopping 7300 miles out of that belt, the least mileage was 3200 miles, and that came three months after putting a brand new one on. At which point I refused to keep feeding the Harley Giant my money and started looking else where. |
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