| Author | Message | ||
     Tpoppa |
Is there a technical reason you can't have a XB style fixed axle & tensioner with a chain drive? If it works with a belt where tension tolerances are more critical, is there a reason OEM's don't use this type of setup with chain drives. The OCD in me hates the effort of getting a rear axle exactly perfect. | ||
| Hootowl |
Chains stretch quite a bit, and get longer as they wear. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Yes, and on most motorcycles you need to adjust the axle to compensate. Couldn't an adjustable tensioner pulley (or sprocket in the case of a chain) do the same thing? | ||
| Hootowl |
I would think so, yes. I think Buell/EBR did not go that route because they wanted the adjustability to make sprocket changes for different tracks easier. But if you're never going to do that, an adjustable tensioner makes sense...at least to me. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Perhaps spring loaded that only allows it to extend like a ratchet? I think my 1989 KLR250 had a cam chain tensioner that worked like that but it was just a teflon shoe thing and not a sprocket. That's what finally did my old bike in as I recall. Scary death-rattle coming from cases. Dealer opened it up and said my timing chain was too stretched out and it was $400 to fix. 28,000 HARD miles  everything needed replacement. Junk yard gave me $450 for it! | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think it's partly bending the chain the "wrong way" to go around a tensioner pulley...and partly the additional chain wear from a third sprocket. As well as the reduced range of adjustment compared to axle movement. | ||
| 86129squids |
Nate- So THAT's the proverbial "thingy" that pre-2011-12ish KLR's should have to live longer... I've probably got my years wrong, but there was something one MUST do to preserve the motors on early KLR's. IIRC mostly 650's. | ||
| Slaughter |
Trojan used to have a kit. Al at American Sport Bike may still offer something. If I recall, the tensioners on the kits were adjustable but prone to loosening. | ||
| Slaughter |
YOwch! http://www.harleycustom.com/US_Free-Spirits-Buell- XB-Motorcycle-Chain-Conversion-Kit-207580_466_507_ 2110 I didn't see where Al has a kit. You might email him to see if he can get one. Google around, there's a lot of discussion about chain conversions for XBs. | ||
| Slaughter |
Good discussion on ADVRider.com http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64 2293 | ||
| Slaughter |
And another that addresses some of the known bearing wear issues http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Lightn ing-XB12S-XB12Ss-CityX-XB12Scg/chain-conversions |
