Triumphrat

Spanky · 05-10-2006

I recently saw a belt drive conversion kit for speedmasters and such, kind of pricey but looks good and would keep pipes shiny on bottom.

Any thoughts????

vinnyf · 05-10-2006

Don't know anything about the kit, Spanky, but I've a friend with a belt drive HD; there doesn't seem to be any down side to the belt - clean, maintenance free, quiet. Must be SOME reason everyone hasn't gone to them, but from what I've seen, it's great. Let's see what other feedback you get.
vinny

05-11-2006

I think the downside to the belt drive is the $875 cost for the kit plus who knows how much for a new belt if it breaks. A belt also transfers less power to the wheel than a chain. I would be willing to lose a couple horses to forget about chain maintenance, but not everyone feels that way.

Cheers,
-Kit

TexasTri · 05-11-2006

Put a belt drive on my Legend. Only downside was the cost, but I did not like having to mess with oiling and adjusting the chain. Got about 8K miles on it so far. Have not had to do anything with it. For me it was a good thing, but you have to make that decision. You can see pictures in my album.

Spanky · 05-11-2006

I think it sound like a project to do after some slight performance mods to make up for the loss of power and more investigation.

Thanks guys.

dazco · 05-11-2006

i would also think another downside is not being able to swap a sprocket if you decide to go for higher or lower gearing. Maybe you can get them, i dunno. But i'm sure glad i wasn't stuck with the stock gearing 0on mine and i'd now hate to not be able to change it.

denny · 05-11-2006

another down side... I believe you have to remove the swingarm to change a belt. Maybe not a big deal?? I think the belts have a pretty long life. With a chain you can use a rivit type master link and avoid removing the swingarm.

TexasTri · 05-11-2006

Swingarm was not that big a deal on the Legend, and yea, those belts are supposed to have a very long life, like 100K miles, but who knows?

vinnyf · 05-12-2006

I know conventional wisdom was that belts are less efficient at power transfer than chains, but with the newer O-ring and X-ring chains, I wonder if that's the case now? There's got to be some loss in all those rubber seals. And I think there's more of a long-term thing - while a brand new lubed chain MAY transfer power better than a belt, even a properly maintained chain has got to develop more "slop" over its lifespan. I would think any in-efficiency in the belt drive would manifest itself as a warm belt/pulley, but they seem to run cool. However, you've got to REALLY want one to go over $800 on the conversion, IMO...

Spanky · 05-13-2006

:???: I don't know what to do first, I can't get away with spending that much cash rite now without my wife killing me, and I really want the 904 kit and pipes and a jet kit and a, well you know ALL THE KOOOOl stuff. I just have to keep telling myself "a little at a time" but I want it all now....