Belt drive

[Nick]

Has anyone fitted a belt drive. Seem to remember some one doing it on the old forum. If it works OK I fancy doing it. They must be available as I can remember someone doing it. Anyone got any advice on the pros and cons. Thanks nick.

[KiwiCol]

I recall that thread & pic as well.  Only 'con' would be the expense.

[seth]

I remember the thread on the old org but don't rember any details .
Belts are quieter than chains.
belts fo still require maintainance and adjustments though they can last longer than chains they are also fragile (a belt can still snap if  a stone gets in between the belt and pullies)
If your planning on going and distances then a belt of the correct size (unless you find a Harley belt that's the same size)
So pros and cons both ways
I still thing fitting a belt would be for a novelty idea rather than a long term fix to a problem that doesn't really exist.

[Notty]

We need a translation please 
http://hpc-power.de/index.php?idcatside=34

[V_i_c_i]

Prepare for prize about 1000-1200eur. 

[gsxbarmy]

From what I recall off the old org, there used to be a kit - I believe from Germany - which could convert your 14 to belt drive. Price was circa £1k or so. Whether its still available I have no idea - I've done some searching but can't find anything specific for the GSX1400.

On the old org, Gnome worked with ? and did get a belt kit developed which Ozbound tested. The problem was that the dipstick who actually manufactured the kit didn't used hardened steel so after a few miles of testing, well it didn't work very well. Shame as I think it was the metal used rather than the design that was the issue, however there were no further tests and the project was shelved.

That's about all I can recall.

[Globalrider]

Ma brain hurts too Brian - but I do recall sumat!

Stan

[Andre]

There are a few 14 in Germany with belt drive. Got them from https://www.vh-motorradtechnik.de/zahnriemenantriebe/ Current price is 1095€.

Someone asked for replacement part prices (as of 2011)

Artnr. : 300-405-00 : hintere Riemenscheibe (rear sprocket) : 251,16 €
Artnr. : 300-605-00 : Zahnriemen (belt) VHM Polychain Carbon C 12 14M : 294,96 €
Artnr. : 300-706-00 : Zahnriemenschutz ( Alu ) (belt cover): 209 €

How long do they last? 20000-70000 km depending on road condition (dirt, small gravel) for the belt (info from manufacturer).

It is recommended to remount the sprockets and belt after 25000 km in the opposite direction. Belt is recommended to be replaced by 50000 km. One owner did ride the 1st belt for 72k when it tore. Another owner changed directions after 40000 and at 80000 the drive was still working.

Rear "sprocket" needs change (km ?) as well as it is not hardened like the front "sprocket".

[Tony Nitrous]

I recall that thread & pic as well.  Only 'con' would be the expense.

Yeah, cost.

... and any gearing changes.

... and fixing it on the side of the road. I've seen belt repair kits but wasn't impressed. Not hard to fix a chain or get one chucked on at any bike shop.

Good luck with carrying a spare, for roadside repairs. You either need a split belt with thread in pins or your pulling out the swingarm etc.

Interestingly, I can't think of any performance or sportsbikes using belt drive?

[grog]

not on my list to do. ill vote for chain everytime. gs1000g many years ago was a shaftie, great set up. great bike. saw a nearly new hardly where rock got jammed in belt/sprocket? wrecked it all, no wrty as external damage. ill bet it damaged his wallet also. chain to me is easy, really not a problem.

[Mister Fishfinger]

I think sports and racing bikes are always going to have chains because that is the most efficient power transmission system available. Same goes for bicycles, where you want to maximise the amount of power that gets to the back wheel. Chains are also more compact, which is important on motorbikes and bicycles.

Belts offer some advantages though. They are pretty much maintenance free and they are claimed to last longer than chains. They are also quieter and they absorb some of the shock and vibration in the drive line.

Horses for courses, but I can't see a compelling reason to convert from chain drive on the GSX.

[Andre]

We need a translation please 
http://hpc-power.de/index.php?idcatside=34

@Notty
Nothing  to translate in that link shows in my browser. Just copy and paste here (I translate it for you) or right-click on the page and choose to have it translate for you

[Tony Nitrous]

As Mr Fishfinger said, chains are more compact.

I'm a great believer in over-engineering. A chain has a limited space to run between touching the tyre and touching the frame. This is going to limit how wide a belt you can run on any conversion you do.

Running a big wide belt that's going to be a lot harder to break or stretch must be better than running a slim one that just fits in the gap left by a chain.

It's an interesting idea but looks like a lot of effort just to be different.

[Kiwifruit]

Had a shaft drive on my XJ750 Yamaha. Thought it was great, nice and clean,  no adjustment. No belts for me thanks.

[Notty]

Had a shaft drive on my XJ750 Yamaha. Thought it was great, nice and clean,  no adjustment. No belts for me thanks.

Had a Shaft drive on my Kawasaki Meanstreak - no maintenance , no oiling - brilliant ...fit a belt? if i had the money give it a go i reckon