chain vs belt?

[jayy178]

me n my friend were talking and came across chain vs belt driven bikes. why are some bikes belt driven and some chain driven? wat are the pros n cons of each?

j

 

[jafo]

Don;t forget shaft drives too.

 

[eddiemcrider]

off the top of my head....

chain -

pros for high HP applications like sportbikes

cons - you gotta adjust, clean and oil..high maintenance and messy

belt -

pros for low HP apps like a Harley not messy like a chain to keep them white walls clean, i don't believe you have to adjust em as often and they're suppose to last twice as long as chains (so I've heard)

cons if you mod your HD, they'll snap sooner then a chain would

 

[eddiemcrider]

I forgot with a belt to replace you have to drop the swingarm to install :eek

 

[budbandit]

chain: efficient, good for very high power applications, dirty and maintenance intensive.

belt: fairly efficient, not good for very high power applications, clean and low maintenance

shaft: significantly less efficient than chain, many implementations result in weird handling, good for high power applications, zero maintenance

 

[Squidposer]

I forgot with a belt to replace you have to drop the swingarm to install :eek

What bike requires removing the swingarm? That's freaking insane.

 

[rick]

If you're gonna use a belt then you just gotta come to terms with that - you'd have to do the same if you used a linkless chain. Luckily belts last forever.

Another advantage of a chain is that you can change the gearing easily.

As in all things, whatever you choose will be a compromise. Shorter/longer lifespan, more/less maintenance, etc., etc. I've had all three and really just consider 'em flavors.

 

[eddiemcrider]

What bike requires removing the swingarm? That's freaking insane.

Well belts are one piece unlike chains. I was going to convert my Vulcan 800 to belt but didn't want to hassel with dropping the rear swingarm. I would imagine an HD is the same way

 

[ScottRNelson]

I forgot with a belt to replace you have to drop the swingarm to install :eek

If the engine is a stressed member (i.e., part of the frame), and you have a single shock at the rear there is no reason why the swingarm would have to come off to remove a belt or a continuous chain.

On my Ducati the chain can be removed without breaking it by disconnecting one of the shock connections, but without doing anything to the swingarm. With a slightly different shock connection, like the way motocross bikes do it, there would be nothing at all to disconnect to get the chain off.


Chains rob less horsepower than belts or shafts. Non-O-ring chains have the least friction, but don't last anywhere near as long. That's what you want to use for racing.

 

[Squidposer]

Well belts are one piece unlike chains. I was going to convert my Vulcan 800 to belt but didn't want to hassel with dropping the rear swingarm. I would imagine an HD is the same way

Nope. Just pull the Shock and covers and you're free and clear. Maybe 30 minutes if you waste a lot of time. Buells and monshock types have a section of the swingarm that slides out to allow the belt to pass through. Don't even have to pull the wheel off.
Really, Harley's are very easy to work on. Take into consideration they were designed for a belt drive to begin with.

If the bike was originally designed for a chain and required feeding it though, I could see how converting it to a belt might be a pain.

 

[eddiemcrider]

Thanks. There was a kit that said I had to, but opted out for the chain. Got the Regina OR (gold links) for the bling. It's my commuter bike anyways.

 

[morthrane]

Biggest con to a belt drive I've heard is that they have to be extrodinarily wide in order to harness the same power as a slim chain.