How Long Does the Drive Belt Last on a Harley-Davidson? [H-D Weight Chart]. (Belt-driven bikes typically do not have much room for adjustment, as belts do not stretch.). While the rubber rings are internally lubricated, you still need to keep them clean and externally lubricated. Related Articles8 Steps to Prep Your Motorcycle for Winter StorageHow to Maintain Your Motorcycles Air FilterAll Tech Articles on WRN. Aftermarket rear sprockets are typically aluminum, which is lighter than the factory steel sprockets, reducing unsprung, rotating weight (basically, weight savings in anything attached to the wheels pays extra dividends in performance). If there is road debris embedded in your bikes belt, dont try to pry it out yourself. The chain drive is the most widespread method of driving the rear wheel of a motorcycle. If you are going to use a riveted link, you will need a chain breaker and riveting link tool. You might be able to make quick, jackrabbit starts, or run 120 mph, but not both. You'll also need to know how it needs to go back together, and what style of sealing ring (if any) you want on your chain. The gearbox is designed to change the gear the engine is running in, which helps feed the rear wheel with a controlled amount of power. This allows dirt in easily, but it also allows cleaner and lubricant in, too. Weve put together the most comprehensive guide for women who are ready to venture into the world of motorcycling. No, its a lesser-known fact that not all Harley-Davidson motorcycles feature a belt drive. Many riders say that a belt drive is better than a chain drive as its cleaner and requires much less attention. Additionally, many track sanctioning bodies specify a chain connected with a riveted link. If your bike is equipped with a shaft drive, you have the easiest drive to maintain. But depending on the mileage, be prepared to replace the pulleys and some other parts as well. Cleaning the chain is a dirty job in itself, hence causing many riders to just ignore it. Unfortunately, they are not easy to fix or replace, so a motorcycle belt replacement is never the cheapest maintenance on any bike. Simply put, the transmission output and the drive shaft are connected to a special coupling. With a shaft, you can't change gear ratios like you can with a chain or belt by swapping sprockets or pulleys. If you have a sport bike, some of your fairings may need to be removed. This job is not for the faint of heart. As always, consult your motorcycle owners manual (M.O.M.) Push upward perpendicularly on the belt and visually inspect the amount of movement through the viewing window on the belt guard. Front sprockets will be made of steel, and rear sprockets can be had in either steel, aluminum, or hard-anodized aluminum. The drivetrain on a motorcycle is a group of parts that deliver the power from the engine to the rear wheel. The appearance of aftermarket chains, sprockets, and pulleys is often better than their stock counterparts. In the following decade, the manufacturer slowly switched over to the new technology. Keep in mind that in many cases the pulleys have to be replaced along the belt (or at least the rear), especially in case of high mileage. But thats a trade off against the cost of how many drive chains and sprockets a motorcycle goes through in 90,000 km. There are about eleventy-four billion reasons to switch up your driveline pieces, so let's start with the more common reasons and work our way into the esoteric ones. With a wheelie or a burnout, you can literally destroy a motorcycle drive belt in a couple of seconds, as you can see in this video: As a rule of thumb, replacing a motorcycle drive belt costs about $500-$1,500, or even more. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Furthermore, sprockets are also replaced with two pulleys on these bikes, which actually do the same job. The smaller sprocket is mounted on the output shaft, which is the shaft that protrudes from the engine. Besides, shaft drives are extremely reliable, require much less maintenance, and can also run in a dirty environment. Low maintenance: This is the probably the best feature of a driveshaft. Your bikes chain could very well be that noise gremlin youve been chasing for a week. How to Check/Inspect (Every 800-1000 miles). Illegal street racing by Mat Rempit groups active again, RM450,000 prize. Maintaining a motorcycle drive shaft typically means periodic oil changes and an occasional visual check. Do you want to do your clutch while you're in there?). From snowmobiles to jet skis, from ATVs to motorcycles, we have the powersports covered! Yes, a belt drive is considered a reliable and durable final drive system. A smaller front pulley or sprocket combined with a larger rear pulley or sprocket makes a bike accelerate more quickly at the expense of reduced terminal speed. [H-D Weight Chart], link to Average Harley-Davidson Dimensions [H-D Size Chart], These power sources come in many shapes and layouts. First, the price of a drive belt ranges from $100 up to $300. Listen carefully! If you want to learn more about the process, heres a great video on how to maintain the shaft drive on a motorcycle: The chain drive vs. belt drive vs. shaft drive debate is one of the best arguments in the motorcycle community. They are connected to the belt, so the front pulley can drive the rear pulley, which rotates the rear wheel. This is where the drivetrain comes into play. However, there are owners who change it at every 40,000km. Chain care itself is a variable since different riders use different cleaning agents and lubricants, for example. Please, Last Chance! So keeping it well maintained will keep you on the road longer. Belts that have cracks should be replaced sooner but still, thats a lot of mileage! A well-known chain-driven Indian motorcycle is the FTR 1200 that features regular sprockets and a chain. On the other hand, dont forget that a shaft drive also has many cons like its heavy weight and hefty price tag. Lets see the pros and cons of shaft drives in a nutshell: Compared to chain and belt drives, a motorcycle shaft drive works in a much trickier way. To eliminate this negative effect, modern shaft-driven bikes already feature parallelogram linkages.. The least common motorcycle final drive design is arguably the shaft drive, which can be found on many touring and ADV motorcycles. So if in the unlikely case of it breaking, youre stranded. [Video], Which Type of Clutch is Used in Motorcycle? Compared to belts and shafts. If you're riding a bike with a chain probably! How to Check/Inspect (Every 2,500-5,000 miles)Visually inspect the entire belt for road debris, small tears, dry rot, or significant wear. can read more about motorcycle transmissions here. For your convenience, weve compiled the most popular shaft-driven motorcycles into one chart: The drivetrain on a motorcycle delivers power to the rear wheel from the engine. (Remember kids, we measure twice, and cut once!) Hammy Moto crashes bike, went under a lorry and came out ALIVE on the other side! The answer is that to replace the belt on many bikes the rear wheel and the swingarm have to be removed, and the clutch/transmission have to be disassembled to a certain point as well. These chains are the costliest, and even if a seal breaks, the other section of the seal should theoretically keep dirt out, and lubricant in. The other end of the shaft is geared directly to the transmission. This was a typical issue on older shaft-driven motorcycles. In the past shaft-driven bikes suffered from shaft jacking, but on most of the newest models this negative effect has already been eliminated. On top of that, the chain is prone to breaking and can even wrap around the rear sprocket causing the wheel to lock. The final drive can be a chain, belt, or shaft drive depending on the model. How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Harley-Davidson Belt? Then, the recommended drive belt maintenance interval is typically 5,000 miles, which is often the same as the oil change interval. The two ways to connect a new chain are a clip-style master link and a riveted link. It is safe, secure, and how factory links are attached. This type, Motorcycles feature multi-plate clutches, meaning that you can find a set of plates inside the, How Much Does a Harley-Davidson Weigh? Truth is, it can but the work is so extensive and expensive that it becomes unpractical. But why is a drive belt replacement so difficult? O-rings provide one sealing surface to keep dirt and grit out and lubricant in. Regardless of what happened, if your OEM components are damaged or just plumb worn-out, you need to replace them. Most sport bikes come with a 525 or 530 pitch chain. Always replace belt and pulleys together; never replace one or the other. Therefore, belt-driven Harleys offer more comfort and convenience to their owners. The drivetrain consists of several smaller parts, all of which play a major role in the proper operation of the bike. Conversely, larger in the front and smaller in the rear will make your bike a little more sluggish off the line, but you'll get a little more mojo in top gear as the reward, along with slightly improved fuel mileage. Replacing the drive belt on a Harley-Davidson requires the removable of the swingarm, outer primary cover and inner primary cover. The shaft and differential are usually sealed, the latter bathed in oil/fluid. Dirty. There are three common ways to move that power in use on modern motorcycles: Oh, I love when people ask this. Rotate the wheel forward and remove the towel. 6. You may notice more or less "buzzing." As reported by the manufacturer, the average curb weight of Harley-Davidson motorcycles by category is as follows: Are all Harley-Davidson Bikes Belt Drive? Difficult to alter gearing. The job is more difficult than an oil change, but less difficult than steering head bearings or fork seal replacement. Its safe to say that the belt can see at least 40,000 miles on most bikes, but its not unusual for them to run more than 100,000 miles. 8. If you are unsure, order long, and you can always cut it back with a die grinder or a chain tool. As a rule of thumb, a belt drive does a good job on cruiser and commuting bikes, as they typically feature less powerful engines and cover long distances at a constant speed. Belts don't stretch much at all, either.) Shaft jacking phenomena has been addressed by most manufacturers. 10. The gears in the transmission allow you to accelerate rapidly and cruise at nice, low, fuel-conserving engine revs. This is our two wheel chapter focused on bringing you the very best of the motorcycling scene from our base in Malaysia and through our contributors around the world. This is because different pulley/sprocket kits can affect the acceleration as well as the top speed of the bike. The drivetrain is a bunch of parts that transmit power from the engine to the wheel(s). The final drive is also considered to be the drivetrains last gear reduction. Ducati Hypermotard 950 and 950SP Test Ride in Spain! Therefore, wheelies are not recommended on any street-legal motorcycle. As you might assume, this results in a lot of labor, which makes a belt replacement a costly service. KTM 890 Duke R And 890 Adventure Lands In Malaysia From RM75,800. The small sprocket is driven by the transmission and rotates the chain, which finally drives the rear wheel. Motorcycles can feature three different types of final drives. Review: Honda RS-X A thrill ride of a supercub! There are a few heavyweight Japanese cruisers that use belts, but its uncommon. This is because the shaft drive is considered a premium part because of its complexity and high manufacturing costs. The larger sprocket is mounted on the rear wheel. On the other hand, chains are messy and require a lot of maintenance, as they often need to be adjusted, cleaned, and lubricated. On a motorcycle, the drivetrain consists of three parts: the primary drive, the transmission, and the final drive. It contains three major units, the primary drive, the transmission, and the final drive. From the transmission, power moves to the rear wheel through the final drive. A clean and well-maintained chain constitutes very little parasitic power loss and can transmit up to 98% of the engines power. Its safe to say that a motorcycle chain drive is very similar to a bicycle drivetrain. These are very time-consuming tasks, even for an experienced mechanic! The amount of upward movement on the belt should match the first. Easy installation and replacement. Belt drives are much cleaner than chains and require less regular maintenance, but shouldnt be ignored completely. Generally speaking, a motorcycle drive belt replacement takes about 2-4 hours depending on the type of bike and the other repairs/replacements that may occur. Always replace both sprockets and chain at the same time; never change just one piece of this important drivetrain puzzle. But unfortunately, drive belts can get damaged by a stone before reaching their lifespan. But how is this power transmitted to the rear wheel? Let's talk about how the power is moved through the bike. It seems there is no clear winner here. A belt drive on a motorcycle is a very similar system to the afore-mentioned chain drive. etc. The chain drive is still the most popular design by far, but a belt drive is also commonly used on cruisers and electric motorcycles. Intensive maintenance: Chains need more maintenance than their belt and shaft counterparts. To order your chain, you'll need to have a rough idea of your length. For better comparison, weve compiled the most important properties of these systems into one chart. The motorcycle drivetrain consists of three separate units, the primary drive, the transmission (gearbox), and the final drive. Why is it so expensive? Unobtrusive operation. It is not uncommon for some of these to need replacing as well, which also increases the total cost. If you're a track rider, maybe you run a really tight, twisty track and never get beyond fifth gear. Well it is! A clip-style master link can be installed with basic hand tools. The wheel is then taken off, and at this point, the belt may be removed and replaced, as can the pulleys. How do You Maintain a Motorcycle Shaft Drive? Low lifespan. Your motorcycles final drive is what connects power from the engine to the rear wheel to make it go. Roller chains have since been utilized in a myriad of power transmission applications, but its most well-known for motorcycles since the chain is in plain view. Lets compare the pros and cons of chain drives head-to-head! What is the Primary Drive on a Motorcycle? Following normal service intervals will also prevent costly repairs, as your local dealership will keep an eye on your belt and pulley. to find out how often you should be performing these checks and services on your motorcycle. Why? Which means youd need to replace the belt should you want to alter the sizes of the pulleys. Easy to alter the ratios. Take an Extra 10% Off Our ZLA Warehouse. I'm not inclined to disagree, but it does bring about a question: What moves the two-wheeled apparatus? Some spin faster or slower than others. To adjust the chain, do the following steps:1. The mood might not be perfect, but we suggest the following maintenance after a ride while the chain is still warm. It is possible to bump down to a more slender chain 520 is a common conversion. Therefore, a belt drive is recommended for beginner riders and those who dont like dealing with technical issues. Thats why belts are commonly used on cruisers and commuting bikes. Gearing cannot be altered. Although almost no belt carries a warranty, 60,000 miles on a single belt is not at all a strange proposition. Belts, chains, and sprockets are all wear items. Although all of their models have been manufactured with a belt drive for many years, the 2021 Pan America 1250 was released with a chain drive. Spray on too much lubricant will cause it to be flung all over the rear end of the bike and rider. Yes, its safe to say that todays shaft-driven motorcycles are really good. Each one of us at PowerSportsGuide is an avid enthusiast of motorized recreational vehicles. Chain drives are widely used virtually on all types of motorcycles. Malfunctions with a shaft drive are fairly infrequent, but if any issues arise, it can usually only be fixed by a professional. Steel will wear better, but aluminum is lighter. Large V-twins, for instance, frequently redline around 6,000 or 7,000 rpm, whereas a modern sport bike might rev to nearly 17,000 rpm. You bet! This reduces weight, but due to better materials and workmanship, it can be possible to achieve the same tensile strength with the narrower aftermarket chain. And replacing the belt means you need to remove the swingarm, outer. Check the teeth on the pulleysthey should last the life of the motorcycle but a visual inspection for significant damage is never a bad idea. On the other hand, it features a very complex design and many heavy parts. They are cheap, lightweight, and easy to fix and replace even at home. With proper maintenance and reasonable riding, a motorcycle drive belt can last about 40,000-100,000 miles, or even longer. Which Honda Motorcycles Have a Shaft Drive? If your pulley teeth show significant wear, replace immediately. What about the stator sealing O-ring? We cannot clearly state that shaft drive motorcycles are better than any other bike out there. These power sources come in many shapes and layouts, but all of them do basically the same thing, they generate power to propel the machine. The good news here is you dont need to lube a belt. But keep in mind that the exact service schedule may vary from one bike to the next, so make sure to check your bikes service manual and follow the manufacturers recommendation. However, it depends on many factors like the performance of the bike, the quality of the belt, your riding style, and the quality of maintenance. Count the notches in the tensioner or on the swingarm on each side to make sure they match exactly. Whether your bike has a chain, belt, or shaft drive, its working hard while you get to enjoy the wind in your face. 5. The entire assembly has an elongated housing (filled with oil) that protects it from damage and the elements. If you have further questions, feel free to get in touch with a Gear Geek via email ([emailprotected]) or give us a call at (877) 792-9455! knows all, so follow her specs on proper chain tension. Nonetheless, many buyers are happy to pay for it, so they can enjoy the comfort and convenience it provides! But since each design has its own pros and cons, it seems there is no clear winner here. 2. Well touch on the specifics of each system in later articles. While holding the tension (from step 6) on the rear wheel, tighten the axle to M.O.M.s specified torque. A whirring noise can indicate a belt that is too tight, whereas a clicking noise can indicate a belt that is too loose. The most well-known shaft-driven Honda motorcycles are as follows: Over the years, a shaft drive has been used by many major motorcycle manufacturers. While the majority of Indian motorcycles are belt-driven, surprisingly not all of them! Which Motorcycles Have a Shaft Drive? Sound important? You can also gain performance. Why? High speed is not an issue, but acceleration and throttle response definitely are. Truth be told, there is lots of argument on the subject, and each material has its defenders. These chains typically cost a bit more than their non-sealed counterparts. Besides these oil changes, drive shafts are virtually maintenance-free, which is one of the main advantages of this design. If there is any sign of tearing or dry rot (very rare) on the belt during your visual inspection, replace the belt immediately. A belt is low noise, especially when compared to an unlubricated, unadjusted or old chain. The rear wheel features a gear inside a hub to which the shaft is connected. There are others such as magnets and direct electric motors but lets leave that for the future. How Long Does a Drive Belt Last on a Motorcycle? (Chart), link to How Much Does a Harley-Davidson Weigh? From then on until 2021 Harleys have been available exclusively with a belt drive system. Double-check chain slack to ensure a proper adjustment. The heart of each motorcycle is arguably its engine. There is no need for lubrication. It's the easiest to get dirty, but also the easiest to get clean and lubricated. Non-sealed chains have no seal between the inner and outer plates. Youll want a new set of chain and sprockets if you can pull the chain off the back of the rear sprocket with your hand to expose half the tooth.