Belt drive

[foofighter]

this is so intriguing...thoughts on this?

[J_Sims]

My thought are nice!!! Quite!!! maintence free!!! Clean!!!

Other than that it would probably suck

I see no reason why this would not work extremely well. Most harley's use a belt for the final drive ov course harleys are kinda light in the Horse Power department...

[foofighter]

just wondering how the dirt and mud would be w/ the belt drive

[BrewMaster]

Can belt drive only be done in SS?

[Rockinthecasbah]

Have you ever used a belt drive go kart in the dirt sounds like a great idea but small rocks and dust eat the belt and make it run like a dying chain if not just snap cool idea but theres a reason most real (not harleys)motorcycles run off chain drive the only wide spread belt drive in an offroad vechicle I can think of is in snowmobiles but it is a closed system

[Liquid55]

dirt and water would make it squeal like crazy

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Can belt drive only be done in SS?

Belts on motorcycles have very little side to side flexibility, so it may be possible to derail them like a chain but I believe that the derailers(FT) that are currently available may work but would mostlikely weaken the sides of the belt and eventually cut into it bringing the drive train to a quick halt. The rear would be a challenge in just getting the belt to go through the pulley system as belts do not posess the same pivot and flexability characteristics as a chain.

[Rockinthecasbah]

most derailers use both sides of the chain they would work but they would have to be rollers cut in a V because you use both sides of the chain going through the cage. But liek J sims said side to no side flexibility would be a problem and if you made a belt that flexable you would have it skipping when torqued

[Innes]

This is very interesing because I was just thinking about this on Friday. I was slowly grinding up a hill on my fixie and I could hear the chain. I began to wonder if I could set it up as a belt drive. Apparently it can be done, but I don't think I'd do it on my fixie.

[BrewMaster]

You would also have to buy a belt at the exact size you need since there are no links to remove.

[Rockinthecasbah]

yea but seriously belts and sand and grit dont mix ask anyone with a trophy kart

[Dino Brown]

Hugh, Andy Rut and (I) were having this exact conversation last Thursday! Hope they chime in!

In general, I like the idea of a belt drive. I am sure it has been well thought out. Will it stand the test of time? Not sure!

Dust, dirt, rocks, mud, friction- How will the belt be affected? How soon between belt changes.... stretching... busted belt while riding.... do you carry a spare belt... alignment issues....

Like I said, I like the idea behind the belt drive. Until enough people "evaluate" them- I have no comment!

[HUGH]

Too many downs in my book. Can I go out of town, bust a belt, go to the bicycle section in wal-mart and get a belt? (I have done this in Utah for a brake cable!) What about the performance in mud, not that we have alot here. Pebbles getting in there. You need a belt specific frame(I have one(Jerico))! The main deal breaker for me is increased friction. It may be minimal but a chain will always be more efficient. I have a belt drive chopper, the belt is quiet and clean thats about it...

HUGH

[foofighter]

more pics...it appears that the main ring has cut out to perhaps drop the pebble/dirt?



and a test result of belt vs chain

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by foofighter

more pics...it appears that the main ring has cut out to perhaps drop the pebble/dirt?



and a test result of belt vs chain

I call B.S.... I live in the real world !

HUGH


Thanks for the post though.

[Waldo]

Interesting concept, but how so you do trailside repairs? Can you replace a "link" or shorten it to limp home? And what are the steps needed to replace it, assuming you carry a spare?

[foofighter]

Hugh i think you should get one of these as a demo and you being the monster masher can put it to the TEST!

Originally Posted by Waldo

Interesting concept, but how so you do trailside repairs? Can you replace a "link" or shorten it to limp home? And what are the steps needed to replace it, assuming you carry a spare?

there is a long discussion about this and changing tires on the other site

HERE

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by foofighter

Hugh i think you should get one of these as a demo and you being the monster masher can put it to the TEST!

Ditto! What He Said!

[Ladd Jasper]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Can belt drive only be done in SS?

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Belts on motorcycles have very little side to side flexibility, so it may be possible to derail them like a chain...

I'm no engineer, but isn't a chain's ability to deflect laterally the very characteristic that allows it to be derailed easily? Either way, can you imagine the width (and weight!) of the "cassette" in a multi-gear setup?

A modified Rohloff or similar might be the ticket.

Checked out the Spot Brand site, and there's a nice close-up of the dropout and rear cog. The belt appears solid and continuous, but how do you suppose it gets routed over the chainstay?

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by Ladd Jasper

The belt appears solid and continuous, but how do you suppose it gets routed over the chainstay?

If you look close the rear dropout can come apart. I'll go take a pic of my bike.

HUGH