Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Belt drive conversion?

What do you guys think of it?

I think I'm gonna let you do it first and come check it out

It ain't cheap! I think Phil has a belt, I could be wrong.

Last summer I recall one or two of the guys having problems (breakage) with the belts. Friar John got stranded when his broke somewhere in Montana. Had to fit a Harley belt, I think. The recommendation was to people who had belts - keep 'em tight.

As far as affecting performance, or gas mileage, I think the belt ratio is close to the Speedmaster's sprocket set up. Don't quote me, though. Hopefully Friar or someone else who has a belt drive will chime in.

I had a belt drive on my FXRS. Kept the bike for 9 years. Lived 7 or 8 miles out on a gravel road. The only problem I had was getting rocks caught between the belt and the sprocket. Rocks destroy belts fast. I got the rocks out quickly & kept the same belt for 35,000 miles. BTW, I never adjusted it. It was as close to maintenence free as it gets.

Don't see any reason why our belt kits wouldn't turn in the same kind of reliablity, as long as they are kept in adjustment...

Pat, the guru, has a belt. The critical thing is to get the front and rear "sprockets" aligned so the belt runs true. If I remember correctly, one tension adjustment after so many miles was all that was required.
I'm sure the belted ones will be along here to add their experiences.....

Pat's Belt info

Worth every dollar, if you have a large spare pile of them lying about. Pricey for sure, but the quality is top notch and the custom made pulleys will last a lifetime. The only thing that will ever need replacing is the belt, and who knows how long they'll last with proper care and adjustment. I have had mine for about 5k miles so far and not a gliutch to be had. I do have the tension tool for adjusting/measuring the belt, but I only have to adjust it when I pull the rear wheel. I just put on a new tire yesterday and tweaked it back in, and now she's good to go. The belts do not stretch at all like a chain and they are far far cleaner and mucho smoother and quieter than chains.
But....for the price of the kit, you could buy 3 sets of chains and sprockets. If you look at it that way, it is a good investment because the belts supposedly will last as long as 3 chain/sprockets. And, if you buy it and don't like it, or sell the bike, you can always go back to the chain and sell the sprocket stuff and recoup your bucks

I guess I should have explained. I have it on the SM I bought. Was told it was on there for more than 5k with no problems. I was just curious what peoples opinions where. I have the chain and a few sprockets that came with all the original parts. And I just looked it up, wow that is pricey I guess worth it if you have the loot. Anyone know the tension? I have the tool for my Jeeps I guess should work the same.

With 10 pounds of pressure applied upward on the bottom center of the belt, with the rider sitting on the bike and upright, there should be 3/8-5/16" movement.

Thank you! You guys rule. Some of you should be on salary

Do it...do it now. It's the single best modification I've made to my TBA. Smooth, quiet and clean. The way it was meant to be. Seriously, I've had mine on for about 6,000 miles now and wouldn't go back to a chain. The only thing better is the shaft drive on my Moto Guzzi, but that a different animal all together.

One thing to be aware of. If there is even the slightest chance you might even think about riding on a gravel road, take care to setup some kind of guard to make sure that no gravel can get between the belt and pulley. Take a look at the new HD belt guards for an idea of what to do, that is one thing they got right.

Since I lived on a long (7 miles one way?) gravel road the only cure I could come up with to keep the rocks outta my belt drive was to get rid of the chain (belt?) guard. Once it was gone, I never caught another rock. Something about the guard kept the rocks in the belt drive...

No idea how it would be with the Triumph belt drive though.

Don't the HD belt guards wrap under the rear pulley too? The chain guard on ours is more to protect us from the chain, not the chain from the road, wheras the HD guard is to actually protect the belt...

I live down a gravel road, short but I have to drive it everyday and have not had any problems. I do not have the chian guard on though I understand it fits with the belt conversion. Everywhere I go around here seems to have gravel parking also. Guess I will worry if I start having problems.

Anyone know the ratio of the belt conversion compared to stock SM and BA?

between 17th tooth and 18 tooth

Frank

The final drive ratio is the belt is 2.45:1 which is very close to the 17/42 stock America at 2.47:1.