Chain drive, anyone?

[email protected] said:

I don't know if there is any interest left for chain drive conversions, but I thought I would test the waters. I made a parts run for my ST1100 and it turns out that the guy is a mechanical genius. He converted his Yamaha VMax from shaft drive to chain! He's also done others. No small feat. I will give it a week or two and see if there is any interest before I approach him for a quote. Personally, I like the belt, so this is purely a humanitarian effort! Jevers

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I’d be interested, purely because I’d like to change the gearing - I think the engine could easily pull taller gearing, and I’d love it to be a little more relaxed on the motorway (highway).

2 issues......

1) He’ll have to concoct something for the speedo, because from what I have gathered from discussions about this on the Bolt forum, the speedo pickup is at the front sprocket, where it counts the teeth (which, obviously, it can’t do with a chain sprocket!!)

2) I’m in the U.K.! (however, that’s more of a personal issue.....)

Ben

SCRBen said:

I’d be interested, purely because I’d like to change the gearing - I think the engine could easily pull taller gearing, and I’d love it to be a little more relaxed on the motorway (highway).

2 issues......

1) He’ll have to concoct something for the speedo, because from what I have gathered from discussions about this on the Bolt forum, the speedo pickup is at the front sprocket, where it counts the teeth (which, obviously, it can’t do with a chain sprocket!!)

2) I’m in the U.K.! (however, that’s more of a personal issue.....)

Ben

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Duly noted, Ben. I will continue to gather interest and issues. Jevers

[email protected] said:

I don't know if there is any interest left for chain drive conversions, but I thought I would test the waters. I made a parts run for my ST1100 and it turns out that the guy is a mechanical genius. He converted his Yamaha VMax from shaft drive to chain! He's also done others. No small feat. I will give it a week or two and see if there is any interest before I approach him for a quote. Personally, I like the belt, so this is purely a humanitarian effort! Jevers

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Shaft to chain I can understand due to handling, but to replace a belt? Belt drive eliminates the major issues against both chain and shaft.

Caphenning said:

Shaft to chain I can understand due to handling, but to replace a belt? Belt drive eliminates the major issues against both chain and shaft.

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I totally agree, but there are some that still want a chain ⛓ 🤔. Turns out that belt drive looses the least amount of horsepower, followed by chain and then shaft. Who knew?!

SCRBen said:

I’d be interested, purely because I’d like to change the gearing - I think the engine could easily pull taller gearing, and I’d love it to be a little more relaxed on the motorway (highway).

2 issues......

1) He’ll have to concoct something for the speedo, because from what I have gathered from discussions about this on the Bolt forum, the speedo pickup is at the front sprocket, where it counts the teeth (which, obviously, it can’t do with a chain sprocket!!)

2) I’m in the U.K.! (however, that’s more of a personal issue.....)

Ben

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Well, if that is all you're after.... It might be cheaper, if not easier, to have a smaller rear pulley fabricated.

[email protected] said:

Well, if that is all you're after.... It might be cheaper, if not easier, to have a smaller rear pulley fabricated.

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Or, OR, just hear me out. Maybe lace up a larger diameter wheel? I'm not sure if that would give as much top end gearing as you want 🤔.

SCRBen said:

Copyright Jevers’ Re-gearing Services.....

🤣🤣

Ben View attachment 17874

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Yes! That is EXACTLY what I had in mind. Even the color of the rim is spot on. 😉

SCRBen said:

Knew you’d appreciate the colour choice! 😉

Think they were going for an Exile Bobber theme with the colours.......🤣

View attachment 17878

Ben

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Whoever built that ought to be EXILED to an island! Oh, wait.... England IS an island 😳! Just kidding 😂

[email protected] said:

Whoever built that ought to be EXILED to an island! Oh, wait.... England IS an island 😳! Just kidding 😂

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You must be thinking of Oz! 😉

Where did the rumor start that belt drive was more efficient than chain? A chain has about half as much frictional loss than a belt. Belts require a large amount tension on the cogs to engage proper. This is the main parasite for energy. The second is simply belts are rubber and rubber has a high kinetic friction coefficient than metal to metal. A chain does require much more maintenance and if not maintained can lead to higher frictional loss. But then you are just talking about a loss percentage equal to belts, not exceeding. I attached a article that helps break down the principles and speaks on a test of this theory done by Friction Facts.