| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
Buell could work it so the counter sprocket was at the swing arm pivot point. I saw a tech question in this month's Cycle World and CW pointed out that BMW is doing just that on a new enduro of their's. | ||
| Pauley2000 |
The new 450X yes indeed. Constant consistent tension. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Yipper. That would do it. I was always gonna work out (i.e. geometrically analyze) the change in belt length as the swingarm moves, but it's harder than you think. --Doc | ||
| Florida_lime |
Constant consistent tension. Not exactly for our application. The BMW also has chain drive with axle adjusters to provide proper chain tension. Once the chain tension is set by the adjusters, the suspension travel doesn't affect it. The Uly does not have any provision for belt tension other than the pulley tensioner, so our set-up is multi-purpose: belt tension at both static and suspension travel extremes. | ||
| Od_cleaver |
Have you guys ever noticed that a dip in the road can transmit the engine vibrations into the bike frame? My situation: I have the suspension set for touring (plush). Camping gear loaded on the bike. Traveling at a constant 65mph +/-. I will hit a bump/dip in the road that will cause the rear suspension to compress, but not bottom out. I can then feel/hear/sense the engine vibrations. I assume that the belt tension increases dramatically in this case and "grounds out" the rubber engine mounts. | ||
| Rwven |
Od_cleaver, You've noticed that too 'eh? I've always hoped it was typical. | ||
| Svh |
I have read that noise/feeling is the belt stretching out tight like a rubberband. It happens constantly when double up and I am curious if someone that has installed the Free Spirits idler has seen a decrease in the twang. | ||
| Conchop |
Its the front elastomer rubbing against the back of the hole in the elastomer. Have a big old boy [ or your big assed old lady] sit on and off your bike and watch the lateral travel within the elastomer. More weight equals travel to the edge of the inner wall of the elastomer. This is some engineering waiting for a day to improve. There is entirely too much vibration, primary, secondary, and suspension induced, making its way through the bike. I think an improved gel filled elastomer would be much more functional and comfortable. Until a better system becomes available, the vibration on the Ulysses is a "fatal" quality flaw IMHO. | ||
| Treadmarks |
I have the spring tensioner from trojan and it eliminates the rubber band harmonics that my uly used to have. I forgot how bad it was until we traveled alaska two up on a rental uly without one. Big diff for me. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Treadmarks, waiting for that report on how that springy-thingy has treated your belt and bearings... Tired of hearing from naysayers without one installed, any problems in how many miles? | ||
| Treadmarks |
Factory belt is fine with over 20k hooligan and 2 up miles. Rear bearings died from water contamination from the inside last year. Installed some 15 year old german FAG bearings and ported the rear wheel hub to prevent water from collecting on the inside. Bearings still look and feel great and I am confident no water is pooling on the inside now. Who knows why the mothership vents the front hubs and not the rear? The springy-thingy is still doin its job. I will be changing tires soon so I will check everything out again then. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Thanks Tread!  | ||
| Svh |
Thanks Tread. Hope to change out to that soon. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Yes the vibs can be felt with 2 up in a bump. Yes it does come from the belt. If you are experiencing this I suggest you add spring preload by turning the adjuster in on the rear spring. If it is causing that vibration it is too soft, tighten it up and that sensation should go away. |
