 Belt drive conversion.
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OP
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Gents have many of you done the belt drive conversion yet? We have not seen it much this side of the pond yet. my main interests are the pro's & con's, does it quieten and smooth out the drive without lack of performance. Also is it maintainence free and what sort of belt life can be expected? Thaks to all for good info and input, fascinating forum now I've found you all.
"four wheels move the body
-two wheels move to soul"
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 Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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there are a few guys who have it. some love it and other feel the money could be better spent on other things. others will chim in  Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Cons: Price. Pros: Everything else - maintenance, cleanliness, quiet-ness, etc.
Oh, another possible con: ratio. Some guys are married to their non-stock ratio sprockets, whether lower or higher. There are no choices with a belt drive, at least not yet. I've heard it's close to stock and I've heard it's a little smaller. You should be able to find out more by doing a search (here on the new site as well as in the archives from the old site).
Last edited by FriarJohn; 04/04/2005 2:53 AM.
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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There were quite a few discussions as to ratio. So many that I lost track about what the final outcome was if any. I love the 18 tooth sprocket and would only consider belt if it were in that range. MAny felt that way. I would greatly appreciate anyone has feed back on what the belt drive compares to. Last I recall it was closer to a 17 tooth.
"They don't call it a SPEEDMASTER for nothin"
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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I put 30-35,000 miles on my belt-driven Harley with only one problem - rocks. I lived at the end of 8 miles of dirt / gravel road on an old 2,000 acre wheat farm. Rocks would lodge in the sprocket and start to eat the belt. The noise was horrendous so I'd hop off and get the thing out before it did damage. The fix was getting rid of the belt guard. Once that was off, it was no worries.
Rocks will take out a belt pretty fast, so if you're thinkin anything but pavement (tarmac?), it's a consideration.
When I sold the bike, the belt was just fine.
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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I would like one, but not sure Triumph would like it on before the warranty runs out, fed up of oil all over the back wheel.
Plenty of time though....
Ray(UK)
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Quote:
I would like one, but not sure Triumph would like it on before the warranty runs out, fed up of oil all over the back wheel.
Plenty of time though....
Huh? Unless they could prove a failure related to the conversion (highly unlikely), how could this affect the warranty?
Todd Richmond
Grapevine, TX USA
'78 R80 /7
'06 FJR1300A
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Birchr, I too am sick of the lubing of the chain and splatter. If I had the bucks, I'd convert in a second. I finally figured a way to jack my bike up using my small hydraulic jack from my 4-wheeler. At least that is almost like having a center stand.  -PES
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Anonymous
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bmwhd
We're talking warranties here mate!
Virtually ANYTHING can be proven if means not paying out!
Cynical, me?
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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I did the conversion about a week ago and my conclusions...
Quieter, smoother, and cleaner, a little on the expensive side...would I do it again...yes!
As for the ratio. I have had a 16 and 17 on the Speedmaster, and a 17 and 18 on my 2001 Bonneville (the front sprocket is the same, rear tire and sprocket size on the B'ville are different). Personally the belt ratio feels taller than a 17, and my RPMs seem nearly the same as my Bonneville with the 18.
For those worried about the ratio...don't...I am not searching for a 6th with the belt at ALL, and I was with a 17.
P.S. I had no clue the chain made so much noise until I got rid of it.
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Quote:
bmwhd
We're talking warranties here mate!
Virtually ANYTHING can be proven if means not paying out!
Cynical, me?
I suppose so. It just goes to show that the most important warranty is the relationship you have with your dealer. Good ones go to bat for you, bad ones gig you on things like this.
Todd Richmond
Grapevine, TX USA
'78 R80 /7
'06 FJR1300A
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Quote:
From: Bob "Ozzie" Oswald <qpdinc@comcast.net>
[ Add to Address Book | Block Address | Report as Spam ]
To: <tmac12@iwon.com>
Subject: ratio
Hello tmac;
not a problem on the QPD system if you wanted to use an 18t countershaft chain sprocket you would have 18/42= 2.33 overall ratio QPD can give you a 24/56 = 2.33 over all ratio.
Regards Ozzie.
Hey Guy's, There's 24 cogs on the counter pully / 56 cogs on the rear pully. This equals a 2.33 ratio. the same as a 18/42. The QPD ratio is the same as an 18 tooth counter sprocket and a stock 42 tooth rear sprocket. I hope this helps. Tmax
Last edited by tmax; 04/06/2005 5:51 PM.
"Will Ride or Fly for food"
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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tmax ...
I talked to QDP in early february about belt drives.
They told me the 24/56 combo was not possible.
They told me that the only possible combos were the 24/59 and the 25/59.
I have since found out that the 25/59 is not possible.
That leaves only the 24/59 (with a ratio of 2.45/1)
The day I talked to QDP, I called them twice. Each time I was given a different answer about possible ratios. It seems there was some confusion as to which ratios were possible.
Presently and from my understanding only the 24/59 ratio is currently available.
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Quote:
tmax ...
I talked to QDP in early february about belt drives.
They told me the 24/56 combo was not possible.
They told me that the only possible combos were the 24/59 and the 25/59.
I have since found out that the 25/59 is not possible.
That leaves only the 24/59 (with a ratio of 2.45/1)
The day I talked to QDP, I called them twice. Each time I was given a different answer about possible ratios. It seems there was some confusion as to which ratios were possible.
Presently and from my understanding only the 24/59 ratio is currently available.
Hi Slug, Man Would I love to put this ratio thing to bed with true and accurate information. When I spoke with Ozzie he said there was only one belt drive system for the America/Speedmaster. http://www.quietpowerdrive.com/news.htm
At this link is pics of the drive system for the TBA/Speedy If you look at the rear pully there is 8 sections between screws with 7 teeth(cogs) each so the rear pully has 56 teeth. Theres no way 59 teeth can fit in there from the pics perspective the only question left is how many cogs are on the front pully. I have put in a call to brent @ newspeedmaster to see if they would count the cogs on both, or if someone who had one would give an actual count of cogs on each pully we would have the ratio nailed. The ratio once the cogs are counted will be the final drive ratio. With a 18/42 chain drive which is a 2.33 final drive and if the QPD has 24/56 we will have a match. This final drive system is fixed at three points, The counter output shaft, the rear wheel, and the belt which lock into cogs (teeth on the belt into slots in the pully) Nothing else matters except numbers. If the countershaft has 24 cogs it must make 2.33 complete revolutions to turn the rear pully with 56 cogs one complete revolution. Please dont think I am talking down to anyone here, I would love to find out the exact cog count to be certain. Once the cog count is known its a done deal. The reason my interest is so high here is I intend to purchase a QPD in a week or so. I wanted it in the 18/42 range or no deal. I know Ozzie makes belt systems for several other bikes maybe it was unsure which one was in question. As soon as we get a count from someone we can put this to bed. Tmax
"Will Ride or Fly for food"
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Slug, You are absolutly right! As you can see the Qoute on my earlier posting is the email I recieved from Ozzie just copied and pasted. But That email is wrong and your right. I just spoke with Brent and he counted the cogs on both pully's and they are indeed 24/59 making the ratio a 2:45/1 But I must wonder why I recieved the 24/56 information from the munufacturer himself? none the less I can put this to bed and I told Brent that my order will be placed next week. Tmax
"Will Ride or Fly for food"
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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As far as longevity, I've heard some Harley guys tell me that they can last up to 10 years with 30,000 miles plus.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Belt drive conversion.
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Like I mentioned earlier - I had a belt drive on my Harley. Kept the bike 9 years. Sold it with the original belt and had 35,000 + miles on the bike. The only issue was getting rocks between the belt and the sprocket, but I lived on a gravel road.
The more I mess with my chain, the more I miss the belt drive.
Roadie
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