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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through November 17, 2004 » Rode the chain conversion today... « Previous Next »

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Trenchtractor
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 04:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, I test rode the Muell with the chain conversion... Now it really rocks...

I should have done this when I first bought the bike!!!

With an aftermarket muffler such as the Race muffler, you can't even hear the chain running... Drive is nicer, it hoists the front wheel even easier than before...

I was surprised at just how quiet it was... It was really loud (I thought) when I was pushing the bike around the shed, almost sounded like a kids bike with a playing card in the wheel!!! On the road, though, between the valve train noise and the exhaust, you can't hear it at all.

I tried everything, from cruising to accelerating at different rates and decelerating at different rates, by the time I got home I was all over the bike like the proverbial, and the chain never contacted the swingarm...

Man, you guys running belts dunno what you're missing... I love it!!!
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Cataract2
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 07:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I do, chain lash. Each to their own though.
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Tripper
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 09:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

... lubricating... cleaning the rear end.... noise after riding in a rain storm... carrying a can of lube on a trip... getting the bike up with no centerstand...
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Gentleman_jon
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 09:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sounds very interesting.
I would like to replace the belt on my '03. Thinking either '04 belt or chain.
Could you post photos, parts list and costs?
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M1combat
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Drive train lash, FILTHY tail section, Noise, Drivetrain lash, Adjustments, HORRENDOUS damage when they break, Drive train lash, Stretching, Cost, Drive train lash...

I'll stick to my belt, but I'm glad that you are happy with a chain : ).
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Joele
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have a chain driven 919 - I know what I'm missing ; )
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Budo
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Drive train lash, FILTHY tail section, Noise, Drivetrain lash, Adjustments, HORRENDOUS damage when they break, Drive train lash, Stretching, Cost, Drive train lash... "
I use chain wax to protect the exteror of the chain, it is not messy at all. The current o-ring chains don't requiire grease to lub the chain itself just something to protect the external finish. I don't notice any noise, I adjust my chain every, oh, 5~8k or so. Break? I have never heard of a modern, maintained chain breaking. I have not noticed any unusual streatching with modern o-ring chains. I do notice some drive line lash, nothing I can't deal with. Cost? Ok, you might have to replace the chain and sprockets at 20k or so. How much is a belt replacement and can you do that beside the road with tools you may carry or find readly available. As always YMMV.
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 04:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

lol... ; )

I guess I haven't been a Bueller long enough to forget that I'd lived with chains before March this year... I never had a problem with running a chain before then.

I guess I should point out, too, that my belt broke after 6,200k's. Our roads here in North Queensland are littered with rocks and dirt... I was checking the belt every couple of days to ensure it didn't have 5h1t caught in there...

At $430AUD per belt, you can well and truly shove replacing them every 6,200k's... That was the real driving force behind the conversion... I am just stoked it goes so well.
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Firebolt020283
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 04:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

trench if it makes ur bike feel better to u or saves u money then glad u like it (ill stick with my belt for now though)
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 07:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Trench, I agree with you 100%. I do a lot of long rides, and have had belt problems far from home. Replacing a belt on a tuber is not something you want to do on the side of the road. Chains do require a little more maintenance, but they don't break without warning. It's easy to tell when a chain is worn out. In a clean and spotless world, a belt might be superior to a chain; but in a world where sometimes I ride through loose gravel, construction areas and the occasional dirt road, I'll take a chain over a belt any day.
I agree with you about the roads in Northern Queensland. They are really beautiful, though. I rode a Yamaha XJ 900 from Byron Bay up to Cairns and back with my friends on my first trip to Australia. One of my favorite photos was taken on that trip. It's a picture of me standing at the Tropic of Capricorn Monument just outside Rockhampton.
Enjoy the chain - you never have to fear small stones again.
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Fullpower
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 07:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

very nice to hear your chained up trench. what did you do for an idler? please post pics of your installation.
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Blake
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 11:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Man, you'd think the chain versus belt groups are fixin to run for President or something. Geesh.

Nothing wrong with a chain. I certainly understand those concerned with defending against a broken belt.

It's all good.

: )
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)



FP,

I used a chain idler from a chain driven machine. The bearing comes with it, I just had to turn out a couple of new spacers...

Those Dayco type idler pulleys are all manufactured from pressed steel now, even the OEM stuff is being replaced with steel idlers... It seems impossible to get a nylon one in Australia.

I spent 3.5 hours looking for a supplier of nylon idlers, only to find out I had a second hand one laying around... But since it had 140,oook's on it and I couldn't replace it for a new one, I went looking for something else new...

I have to say, the sprocket isn't as trick as yours, but mines high carbon steel and will proly last a bit longer...

If I get a batch of ten, they will jig up and laser cut them with some sort of tricky design... I could do 500,000k's with 10 sprockets!!! ; )

(Message edited by trenchtractor on November 16, 2004)
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Crusty,

You are talking two of my favourite parts of the world... I have a bunch of family/friends throughout the Norhtern coast of NSW... I love it there.

Cairns = awesome... Some of the nicest hot mix roads around the Cairns region... It's a pitty the road from Brisvagas to Cairns can be a little mundane.

I live in Townsville (AKA: Brownsville). You have to go out of your way to find good roads from here... Everything twisty seems to have people exercising on it or is covered in gravel...

I'm looking forward to christmas, taking the Muell to Brisvagas for some back to home riding... I haven't riden there for over 6 years.

BRING IT ON!!
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

BTW, I did some more dyno work today... Was kinda pointless as far as improvement figures go because I fitted the new chain and a different exhaust at the same time, but I was more interested in seeing the chain in action and getting the A/F curve of the new exhaust than outright figures...

Oh, one thing you can't see in the pic is the upper chain runner... But it's there. The chain hasn't contacted the swinger yet...

The chain performed without fault. I couldn't have expected it to be as good as it is... I mean I thought I'd have some teething problems, but nothing... Almost like it was s'posed to be there...
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When the chain wears-in and gets loose, will you just fit a bigger idler sprocket?
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Opto
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 01:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Don't tempt me Trench, now, where can I find a 180 knobby tyre?
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Downundabueller
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 02:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

yep find one opto buy two and i'm in too. Dirt buelling yeah.
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Nick
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 03:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The chain looks a bit loose to me. Just be careful it does go awol when giving it some gas. If it does, it'll be more costly than you might think....Can you get a higher tension idler? The chain will be heavier than the belt and will carry much more inertia during it's (quite normal) oscillations under power.
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 08:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The tensioner is now adjustable... No need to change the idler sprocket. Much the same set-up as Fullpower's chain drive.

It's not too loose, like I said, on the dyno we had no problems and it copped a caning there.

BTW, the adjustment was found by removing the shock and checking the 'longest' point in the swinger's travel.

Besides all that, if it were too tight, it would wreak havock on the bearings on the tranny output shaft at speed.
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Nick
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 09:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Cool, you seem to have it well covered. I wish you the best of luck with it.

I'm sticking to the belt btw, if it breaks can one use a pantyhose like in the old movies? ; )
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Fullpower
Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 08:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

whats your ratio? mine is 21: 50. still want to know where you found the idler sprocket?
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Trenchtractor
Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 06:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm using 21:48... And it still feels stronger than stock even though the ratio is now 5% taller... Go figure.

It's good cos there was a corner I ride through every day that I used to have to use a higher gear through... The 5% has actually meant I can hold the gear and change late in the exit, allowing a nice long power slide... BIG SMILES.
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Jocke
Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 07:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What happens when the chain starting to get worn-out? Is the idler flexible to pick up the slack or is it fixed like original belt idler?
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Trenchtractor


Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 07:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jocke,

It's adjustable.
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Xb12_ohio
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 01:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I like the conversion Brad ! How is the idler adjustable ?
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Opto
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 02:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Brad, you might now have a new top speed as well...the "fastest" street-registered XB in Oz? : )

Ohio, one of the mounting holes is slotted so the idler pivots.

(Message edited by opto on November 23, 2004)
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