Emergency Belt Joiner

[user_deleted]

Doesn't a belt replacement also necessitate a sprocket replacement too?

no! i do check the front and rear drive sprocket "pockets" that engage the belt cogs to check for visible wear or even a possible crack but never found any of either. one thing i do is check the idler pulley and it's 2 bearings. bearings are easy to check and dirt cheap....the idler pulley surface that engages the belt face is factory coated with a "silica nitride" type finish as i was told by a buell factory engineer many years ago. if it is worn smooth it should be replaced.

 

[Cooter]

You are almost exactly 180* wrong about every single point you made.

-Chain is easier to install and to remove, no need to remove wheel and disassemble swingarm, no need to remove tensioner, no need to follow particular sequence in installation process, it is faster and easier.
Unlike a chain... There is NO maintenance interval for the belt. If you replace one it's a simple job and even cleaner than a chain replacement too! Remove the wheel with 2 bolts, the swingarm access bar is 2 bolts, and I don't even remove the tensioner.

-No need to remove chain, wheel and swingarm and to do a bunch of another related things to maintain motorcycle, or to rotate engine, or to reach rear shock absorber or O2 sensor, with chain you can reach all this stuff fast and easy.
Wut? Are you saying you remove the belt to change an o2 sensor? Geez.

-Good heavy duty Japanese X or Z ring chain from reputable manufacturer will last compatible amount of time as belt.
Once again There is NO maintenance interval for a belt. There is NO "lifetime" chain

-Chain does not brake unpredictable. When chain goes bad you will definitely know it is time to replace it, but it still will work many miles before it will brake.
Wrong. Just wrong. And its spelled "break"

-Chain does not trap dirt, rocks, branches and another stuff so you can ride it everywhere fearlessly.
They do, and it can be just as catastrophic

-Chain does not load wheel bearing, tensioner bearing, output shaft bearing and swingarm bearings.
Yes it does and because chain doesn't 'give' at all... shock loading is much worse!

-Chain is more efficient than belt, more horsepower, more fuel economy.
True, but an immeasurable super tiny insignificant amount to a street bike.

-Chain is capable to hold more power without breaking.
Huh? What size chain? What size belt? Please link tests PUN!!! lol

-Chain is the only easy way for 240 rear wheel conversion.
Then those 10 silly people need to go with a chain.

-You can change front sprocket to rear sprocket ratio easily.
True

Or you can pay hours of your time for additional work once-twice per year to maintain your motorcycle with belt.HUH? Thats the thing about these belts. Zero maintenance, Zero replacement. What are you doing to your belt twice a year? What twice a year maintenance requires belt removal?

Seriously, chains have their place in the M/C world. I have nothing against them. IMO I believe there are 3 reasons to put a chain on a XB.
1) You like the looks, colors, whatever. Good times. I'm all for Custom.
2) You want a different final drive ratio you can't get with a primary swap or by using Uly, R, CR, XB pulley belt swap combos.
3) You want to put on a stupid wide rear tire to make it handle crappy. Say Hi to your Hyabusa bro's.

Chains are fine. Putting a chain conversion on a bike that wasn't meant for it can have consequences.

For Buell XB's that means:
1) The tensioner position isn't correct for a chain and makes it get much tighter and looser with suspension movement, than a bike that was designed for a chain. That will cause additional bearing wear or failure at the output shaft of the trans, and the wheel bearings if it's too tight when the suspension unloads. FWIW I would set my XB chain tension at 1" with 20lb load with the rear suspension unloaded
2) There is no built it cush drive. Most high powered chain bikes have a way to reduce shock loading because a chain transmits all of it (instead of absorbing it like a belt does). Either built into the front sprocket or the rear wheel hub, XB's do not have it. You can have problems wallowing out the sprocket bolt holes. I over torqued the bolts into the aluminum wheel way past where I was comfortable to combat this. Or just ride like a sissy:sorrow:

Just know chains are different. They aren't 'better'.

 

[GregoXB]

This is what can happen when your chain fails:


Notice the back tire lock up, that can seriously mess up your day. Like this guy:

Notice how the chain gets tangled up in the cog and then tries to murder the motorcyclist.


This is what happens when your belt snaps.

Notice how the tire does not lock up and the motorcyclist can steer the machine to safety. The belt does not get jammed in the cogs, it snaps and gets thrown from the bike, or it flaps about. Either way, it will not attempt to murder you by high side.