| Author | Message | ||
     Sloppy |
And yours is where??? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Sloppy, Mine rode on the pulley fine, perfectly aligned. It was too tight on the left side, and cracked and wore out exclusively on the left side. Any ideas? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Seriously, it may be a bent swing arm pivot bolt, which I will check next time in there. Someone else on the board had that problem recently. I'd love to know why they break consistently on some bikes that have never been crashed, and do just fine on other bikes. | ||
| Garyl |
"Chains are easier to replace and as long as you broke down close to a bike shop you can get the right chain and get back on the road. " Not true! You can get chain at most agricultural supply houses, some Napa auto parts stores, Industrial sources, just about every bike shop (both indy & dealers) regardless of brand, and at the Tractor Supply Co. (see link below) The key for me was that chain gave me the confidence to ride my buell wherever I chose (regardless of distance) without the fear of being stranded again, which is exactly what my belt did to me. You shouldn't have to ask yourself: "Will I make it home this time?" http://www.mytscstore.com/shopping_list.asp?action =add&sku=1150060 | ||
| Sloppy |
If it was perfectly aligned then how did it get too tight on the left side? If it did, then either the belt was cut on an oval (unlikely) or it was not perfectly aligned. Or do I need to provide data for this too Webby  Gar: When I ride I try to stay AWAY from places like these  But point taken - you are more likely to find 530 chain in a town than a belt. Look, you may argue that you switched away from belts because you wanted a lighter setup, you were breaking them on "your" bike or you wanted to change gear ratios. That's cool and understandable. But to say that chains are better because belts are weaker, are brittle, absorb water(?), looses strength, etc. is incorrect. You race - use a chain. You ride - use a belt. You have problems - find the root cause or find another solution (in some of your cases, it was switch to chain...). If you think that chain is better for street bikes then go talk to the BMW engineers and convince them... It's all cool... (Message edited by sloppy on June 14, 2007) | ||
| Spiderman |
And yours is where??? Other than ask questions the only point I made was that it takes me longer to change the belt onmy Tuber than it does than replace with a chain. Unless I get a video of me doing it sorry you just have to use some common sense AND I said that it took me less than a hour to do a convo on a XB, again no vid sorry. | ||
| Sloppy |
Don't worry, I'll take your word for it! | ||
| Hogs |
Well I have been checking a few of these posts from time to time , Thought I wd. just throw my .02 cents in here, I have NOTHING against chains at all would kind of like too try one someday as all my 30 years of previous bikes were chain.. I do have a 1701 cc 5 inch S & S Ported /balance Hemi Dual plug heads you name it stroker with rear chain and a 3 inch primary belt now this baby has some TORQUE never a plm. with the belt there... With the Buell rear belt has anyone ever tried to change a belt on the side of the road... in my shop its as easy as anything and I would think on the side of the ROAD no BIG deal either, as long as ya have a couple of tools with ya.. and NOT much needed there to do the job.. carry a spare belt and a couple of tools with ya... What would it take like 30 to 45 mins. to do it TOPS??? my .02 cents...! Thanks | ||
| 07xb12scg |
Anyone taking bets on who sees the first jap bike sporting a belt? Ridrx: Not gonna happen on a Jap sport bike. It may happen on a metric cruiser, though. | ||
| Jwhite601 |
I have to admit mine was an 03, so i had the "weak""strong" one. LOL what can i say, it just wasn't gonna take my 6000 rpm clutch drops at 55 mph. I was able to do the whole conversion for a few dollars More than a new(03) belt. It was way CHEAPER than doing an 06 "Lifetime" conversion. Which one would you want holding you off of the empire state building? I know what my answer is. I do believe with the right riding "style" i could have made the belt last longer. By the way, mine broke @3000+- miles. | ||
| Jwhite601 |
 | ||
| Thepup |
Japanese cruisers have had belts for years. | ||
| Xb9ser |
Well I went to a chain after I put on a upgraded o3 belt and it lasted 2 weeks!! A friend put one on from same dealer and it lasted 2 weeks. My orinale belt had 11000 miles on it and I changed it at a rear tire change. I put on old belt and rode it 5000 miles till I put on chain. Best thing after drummer I did to bike! If you have no promblems stay with belt. But I know I can find a chain easyer than a belt.My local dealer does not stock 03 belts!!!  | ||
| Jwhite601 |
hijack,  | ||
| Spatten1 |
I do believe with the right riding "style" i could have made the belt last longer.  | ||
| Ridrx |
07xb12scg Ridrx: Not gonna happen on a Jap sport bike. That is simply your opinion, which you are entitled to...no matter how silly it sounds. | ||
| Wantxbr |
Harley has used belts for years. It's the riders preference on whether or not to run a belt or chain. WHY can't people understand this? I've abused my belt for years. My first belt lasted 50,000mls. Had to change it cause my tranny locked up and had to cut the belt so the bike could roll. YES its a harley not a Buell. I believe the Buells problem is in the idler pulley itself (Not being variable but fixed). Arguments? Yes No Maybe? I like the belts there quiet, Don't sling oil or grease all over my bike or girlfriend...lol. This debate will never end cause pure and simple its all rider preference. There are pros and cons to both setups. | ||
| Blake |
But how does a chain versus a belt affect the contact patch? You know, you gotta look at the big picture. | ||
| M_singer |
Wantxbr, I agree that the idler pulley is likely the problem. i think it is the backwards flexation though not the fact that the pulley is fixed. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Very interesting point, Blake. Not surprising that it would be you who would put your finger on an important, but rarely discussed difference between chain and belt drive, namely Chain Pull Angle. The chain pull angle for those who may have forgotten, is the angle formed by the straight line passing from the pole of moments to a point on the ground directly below the axle. The pole of moments is a point formed by the intersection of one line that connects the rear axle and the front sprocket, and another line formed by the top chain line when tight. As Gaetano Coco has succinctly put it: "The force of traction tends to make the suspension extend, thus lifting the rear. The larger the chain pull angle, the larger the lift." The astute observer will note that whilst the diameter of the original 2003 rear pulley was slightly larger than a chain sprocket, the diameter of the rear pulley on the later models is much bigger, (and heavier), only in order to accommodate the stiffer Goodyear belt. Not a good thing. Thus the smaller chain drive rear sprocket actually does affect the contact patch, by reducing the amount of change in attitude of the bike under acceleration. Most high performance bikes have relatively small rear sprockets in order to reduce the chain pull angle, and thus the change in the bike's attitude under acceleration. Very subtle observation Blake. I am sure every brother will be grateful for it.  | ||
| Spatten1 |
Most high performance bikes have relatively small rear sprockets in order to reduce the chain pull angle, and thus the change in the bike's attitude under acceleration. I always wondered about that. Good point Blake and Jon. | ||
| Spiderman |
Chain convo Pros= Easy to change "within reason", Strong Contact patch Cons= Sloppy will hate you, can not run under salt water (so don't take your Buell under water) | ||
| Wantxbr |
Blake very good point. Actually I have a question for you Blake. Just a question not an argument. Do you think there is added wear to a tranny using a chain instead of the belt? Due to the chains stiffness opposed to the belts ability to flex (alittle). Or maybe vise versa? Just a thought thats been going through my head. | ||
| Buellfighter |
True Spidey, I'll make note of that next time I'm riding through the ocean. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Cons= Sloppy will hate you, can not run under salt water (so don't take your Buell under water) Bwaaaaaa Haaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaa!!! | ||
| Sloppy |
LOL! Share in the love man... wether you ride chain, shaft, belt, magnetics, gears, hydraulic, electron particles... It doesn't matter. It's all power transmission baby, yea... This discussion reminds me of the never ending debate over which is better: mineral or synthetic oils. And there is no right answer, it's all up to the user. As long as you ride and pay your taxes, its all cool. | ||
| Spiderman |
As long as you ride and pay your taxes, its all cool. Now you have gone and took it too far!  EVIL BUNNY JUDGES YOU! | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
+1 Don't mess with bunny!! | ||
| Tiburondriver47 |
And yours is where??? Other than ask questions the only point I made was that it takes me longer to change the belt onmy Tuber than it does than replace with a chain. Unless I get a video of me doing it sorry you just have to use some common sense AND I said that it took me less than a hour to do a convo on a XB, again no vid sorry. I was there when Spiderman put my chain on. The time was just as he stated. | ||
| Blake |
G. Jon, You gave me WAY too much credit.  I was just trying to be humorous. Thanks though! I'll take it any way I can get it! I sure enjoyed your explanation. |
