| Author | Message | ||
     Nptuly |
I put a 21 tooth front sprocket on and a 50 tooth rear sprocket on with the idler sprocket from Eric Buell Racing. With the chain at 112 links it's completely tight without the idler sprocket. At 114 links there is to much play to be able to adjust it before it hits the bottom of the swing arm. I think I need a bigger rear sprocket but I don't know how many teeth bigger to go? If anyone who has this setup has a suggestion I would love to hear it | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I think the conversion is 3 of rear to 1 of front, but I'm not sure about that. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=3842&post=602661#POST602661 | ||
| Uly_dude |
If all else fails, check out this kit from Erik Buell Racing; http://www.EBRacing.com/shop/product46.html I emailed them and YES, this will fit our XB12X! All you need is $1700 clams. | ||
| Nptuly |
I know Rotorhead had a couple set ups on his Uly. If your still out there Rotorhead I would love to know the sprocket sizes you ran for your 530 chain setup. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
try clicking the link in my first post | ||
| Nptuly |
Wolfridgerider I looked at that post. Does that buell have the long frame like are uly's? Do you know if the distance from the front drive shaft to the rear axel is the same? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
if you look at the first part of the the thread you can see the idler arm is modified so you can pivot it up and down to adjust the chain. keep a eye on your right side bearing. The chain drive will toast it after some time. It may also distort the wheel where the bearing is seated.... just a FYI I could tell ya a wonderful story about sitting on the side of the road waiting for a trailer to pick up my chain drive Uly | ||
| Nptuly |
I have been stuck on the side of the road three times in last year because of broken belts so I'm willing to try a chain. Even if I adjust my idler all the way up it still won't tighten the chain. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
If my memory is correct... I had 21 front 51 rear w/114 links The hook would be to have one of those Free Spirit idler arms with the spring. It might take some of the beating instead of the bearing. I loved the chain. Made changing tires super EASY. | ||
| Nptuly |
Why would the chain be harder on the bearing than the belt? With the belt there is always tension. With the chain there would not always. Thanks for trying to remember your sprocket size. I can't believe how much length one link ads on a chain. | ||
| Itileman |
The chain set up has no cush drive to absorb the shock. There is some give in the belt upon acceleration. | ||
| Rotorhead |
Sorry haven't been checking the board much. doing winter maintenance on 3 dirt bikes (2 top end rebuilds) a a 4 wheeler for the kids. I'm running a 21 front, 48 rear and 17 tooth idler and i think it was 113 links with a 9 primary. I have modified the idler bracket to adjust tension on the chain. hope the pics help. I think if you try a different size idler pulley you would be in luck with your current chain length and sprocket set up. A different idler diameter will take up the slack. Granger has steel idler sprockets and I just machined the original idler spacers to fit the granger sprockets. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/idler-sprockets/sprockets/power-transmission/ecatalog/N-are Think i got hte 17t sprocket here. http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-1547/17-Tooth-Steel-Idler/Detail  The upper chain is resting on the EB swingarm guard when the suspension is unloaded. the guard is well worth the $. Had to trim to fit a few places but it did go on snug.    | ||
| Nptuly |
Thanks Rotorhead. I drilled out my idler sprocket arm and got the chain tighter. It feels like there is a wobbel at speed and i think it is from the chain being to lose. i still think it needs to be tighter. thanks for the info on the bigger idler sprocket and the pics. i need to get the chain rub cause my chain is really close to the swing arm. | ||
| Rotorhead |
Check your front sprocket and see if you need shims. with the nut tightened it runs out of threads before it snugs up to the sprocket. Pull the sprocket in and out and you'll feel the 1/8 gap if it is there. I can't remember where to get them but they are a standard diameter for sportsters with chain drive. This will also align the front and rear sprockets. Misaligned sprockets may be feeling your getting. I felt mine when decelerating the most. For the bearing wear issues; IMHO the drive system has nothing to do with bearing wear. The bearing alignment at install and the spacer being torqued enough to work as it should is the real issue. I have over 65,000 miles with on bearing issues. Now that I said it out loud I will take a good look at them before the riding season starts back up in northern NY. | ||
| Nptuly |
I have a spacer behind the front sprocket that is just under an 1/8 inch and i got the chain a little tighter as well but still have the wobble feeling. I am starting to wonder if it is from the idler sprocket being a 520 size. what do you think? | ||
| Rotorhead |
A 520 idler wouldn't have an ill effect. it may just still be a slack issue. Do you get the wobble under accel or decel? I had more slack noise deceleration. | ||
| Nptuly |
I went out and rode the bike leaning off to the side so I could see what was going on at speed. It is the chain not being tight enough. I could see it start to vibrate up and down. It happens mainly on acceleration and going up hill. I have my idler sprocket up so far the chain is starting to hit the bottom of the swing arm. I ordered a 51 tooth rear to replace the 50 tooth. I hope that it is enough I am afraid if I go to a 52 tooth it would be to much. What is your opinion Rotorhead? | ||
| Rotorhead |
http://www.z1enterprises.com/reference/chainsprock ets.aspx This is a good link on sprocket sizes and effects. Normally one tooth = 1/2 a chain link. http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/chainlength.html and a calculator. I don't know the sprocket to sprocket distance but I'm sure someone does for the ULY. The 1 tooth =1/2 a link would be the same for the idler pulley size and not effect the final drive ratio's. On a cheap Buell chain drive conversion we have 4 options for chain adjustments; links, front, rear or idler sprockets 5 if you want to count the slotted idler arm. Pick a method that is easiest or parts you have on hand. I chose the idler route with a nearby Granger and Tractor Supply Company. | ||
| Skinstains |
 Here are a few pics of the set up I made that has served me for better than 50,000 miles. I will try to find more pictures and post them too.   | ||
| Skinstains |
Oops, that last one wasn't supposed to be there, I must have loaded up the wrong pic. here's the one that should have been loaded up.  | ||
| Skinstains |
All it is is a modified "Free Spirits" belt tensioner. A little filing and drilling and boom-pow an awesome chain tensioner. On my Uly I am running a 21T up front and a 55T in back. You still don"t get the full adjustment you would with a sliding rear axle but I have never had any wheel bearing issues and I have these on two XB9R's, one XB12R and one XB12X. I have tried some other tensioners that can be bought but found this set up to be WAY better and much cheaper. You can even change the size of the idler sprocket to get more adjustment.  | ||
| Skinstains |
here's a bunch of my 12R with a 21T front and a 51T rear.      | ||
| Skinstains |
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| Skinstains |
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| Skinstains |
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| Nptuly |
Wow that is a great idea. It looks really easy to adjust. I may have to do that. Did you just drill a hole through where the spring normally goes and get a longer bolt with two nuts to lock in place? | ||
| Skinstains |
Yeah man it is real simple. I'm hitting the rack now but will be back tomorrow with more info and possibly a parts list. | ||
| Uly_dude |
Hey Skinstains, on your 12R, could you not remove like at least 1 link of chain and then keep the spring on your free spirits unit? I have the free spirits also and was thinking of retaining the spring on it if I ever go with a chain/sprocket idler, but this would require alittle less slack in the chain then you have I'm guessing. Also, did you make your own swingarm protector there? | ||
| Rotorhead |
Skinstains, Who makes that front sprocket you have? |
