by "66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
Published 06/14/2017 at 09:35
by "66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
Published 06/14/2017 at 09:35
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Anyone have experience with belt drives? Can this thing even change gears?
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/14/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 2
What do belts have to do with shifting?
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/14/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 0
Standard 5 speed. The belt replaces the chain. Less noise, less maintenance, and they last longer.
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
06/14/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 0
The belt drives the rear wheel. The gear changing magic happens with your left foot, where the arrow is.
"PS9" (PS9)
06/14/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 1
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Suzuki, that’s not savage. This right here. This is savage.
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
06/14/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 0
I know that, lol, but compared to chains I just thought that belts would be difficult to build a transmission around, considering how wide they are. But I guess not?
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
06/14/2017 at 09:49, STARS: 0
I’m not really a motorcycle guy, but they’ve got chain, belt, and shaft drive on bikes pretty well dialed in for function/assembly at this point. I’d be willing to guess a belt drive only adds about a half inch of width compared to a chain drive.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/14/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 1
Harley uses belts on their normal production bikes exclusively I think. Not exactly engineering marvels but they’ve been doing things that way since the middle ages and they’re at least functional. The nice thing about belts is low maintenance; no need to clean and lubricate them every time you come to a stop. Saying a belt drive affects a transmission’s ability to shift is like saying is like saying the cup of coffee you had this morning is going to prevent you from having dinner tonight.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
06/14/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0
I own a belt drive (and 2 chain drives). Can confirm, it does not change gears. But that has more to do with the fact it’s a direct drive.
Belts work just fine. You can convert any chain final drive to a belt with a couple pieces of hardware.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/14/2017 at 10:03, STARS: 0
it’s no different than a chain drive, the transmission output shaft just has a different style of sprocket. Motorcycle drive belts are basically the same as engine timing belts in cars.
Chain drive sprocket:
Belt drive sprocket:
"jimz" (jimz)
06/14/2017 at 10:04, STARS: 1
I think some people conflate belt final drives with the rubber belt CVTs in a lot of ATVs and other powersports vehicles.
"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
06/14/2017 at 10:05, STARS: 1
Bike transmissions are packaged very differently than a car transmission. The slight added width of the belt is not too significant. It is often used to help smooth out a drivetrain and reduces the need for maintenance compared to a chain. Shaft drive requires even less maintenance and checking, but they can be a bit harsh when coming on/off power. CHains are the strongest power delivery method and by changing the sprockets at either end of the chain you can effectively modify the “gearing” a bit. But they get dirty and need very regular maintenance.
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"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
06/14/2017 at 10:11, STARS: 0
Belt drives are standard for Harley Davidsons. They’ve been around forever.
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/14/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
Harley has been using belts since the early 80s. Victory, Indian, and I think some of the big Yamaha cruisers use them too.
Belts not new or unusual.
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/14/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 1
I find it weird that someone with an understanding of how CVT works would make that assumption.
"Gone" (goneforever1234567890)
06/14/2017 at 10:35, STARS: 1
You forgot Buell (just like the motorcycle industry itself did).
"jimz" (jimz)
06/14/2017 at 10:38, STARS: 1
or confusing it with bicycle chain drives with derailleurs.
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
06/14/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 1
That’s what it was, I don’t (didn’t-after now I suppose) know how a motorcycle trans worked but I thought the belt would shift or move within the transmission but yeah nvm.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/14/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
a motorcycle transmission is usually just like the manual transmission in a car, except with a different style of gear selector mechanism to enable a sequential shifter instead of a gated one.
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/14/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
Thanks for following up. Your question makes much more sense now.
"Nisman" (nisman)
06/14/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 0
Lol virtually all Harleys have belt drives. Always have.