Thinking about belt conversion

[Ralph_imp]

I've been thinking about a belt conversion kit. Has anyone done business with Dave over at scootworks.com? If so how did it go

ralph

[Lord Popgun]

They don't list a kit for our bikes on their site. Do they even make one for it? Have they even seen a CB1100? I'd call and ask. I've never done business with them, to keep on topic.

[Ralph_imp]

They don't list a kit for our bikes on their site. Do they even make one for it? Have they even seen a CB1100? I'd call and ask. I've never done business with them, to keep on topic.

Thanks for the reply popgun, our bikes can't be that much different than other Honda models. I was looking for someone that has done business with scootworks because there are differing opinions as to their honesty on the web

ralph

[ChipBeck_imp]

I've been thinking about a belt conversion kit. Has anyone done business with Dave over at scootworks.com? If so how did it go

ralph

Ralph,

Having changed both front and rear sprockets on my CB11 I can tell you it's pretty tight in there and I can't see how even a very narrow belt would fit. Keep us posted.

Chip

[Ralph_imp]

I've been thinking about a belt conversion kit. Has anyone done business with Dave over at scootworks.com? If so how did it go

ralph

Ralph,

Having changed both front and rear sprockets on my CB11 I can tell you it's pretty tight in there and I can't see how even a very narrow belt would fit. Keep us posted.

Chip

Ralph,

Having changed both front and rear sprockets on my CB11 I can tell you it's pretty tight in there and I can't see how even a very narrow belt would fit. Keep us posted.

Chip
Will do, chip. I took my chain cover off and measured it. I have about 1 1/8 to 1 1/4" of space. There is a metal cover re-inforcement plate on the inside of the inner metal cover that the slave cylinder for the clutch mounts to. If I remove that there would be another 1/8th inch of space.

The belt is about 1" wide so its possible the pulley is about 1 1/4" wide and with a small inset into the pulley it might fit with only a re-design of the crankcase chain guard which would not be needed with a belt drive.

ralph

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Out of curiosity, long ago...I looked up "Belt Conversions" in general. I liked the idea of a belt - they seem to work well on Harleys; and I'd seen one on a Suzuki Savage. A nice driveline on SUCH a lame bike...

It seems, according to what I found five years ago...there aren't any. Apparently belt width and tensioner and wheel width make it something that has to be engineered into the design - or else have heavy modding on swing arm, wheels, transmission assembly, the whole nine yards.

A pity. A toothed belt would be THE way to go with most machines - virtually maintenance free; and if it were a quality rubber compound, it could last five years and more miles than most riders would ever put on it. Yet, we're still screwing around with chains.

[Ralph_imp]

Out of curiosity, long ago...I looked up "Belt Conversions" in general. I liked the idea of a belt - they seem to work well on Harleys; and I'd seen one on a Suzuki Savage. A nice driveline on SUCH a lame bike...

It seems, according to what I found five years ago...there aren't any. Apparently belt width and tensioner and wheel width make it something that has to be engineered into the design - or else have heavy modding on swing arm, wheels, transmission assembly, the whole nine yards.

A pity. A toothed belt would be THE way to go with most machines - virtually maintenance free; and if it were a quality rubber compound, it could last five years and more miles than most riders would ever put on it. Yet, we're still screwing around with chains.

Bummer, my sportster has run many miles without even an adjustment.
ralph

[ClassicVW_imp]

Apologies if I'm stating the obvious, but belt alignment is very critical, much more so than a chain. Improper alignment will chew a belt up fast. I would be more confident if there was a kit made for the CB, and be hesitant just try to make something work on my own. But then there's a voice in my head asking that if you're changing both sprockets anyway of course when you do a conversion, what's the problem?

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I'm sure it could be done. ANYTHING can be done, when you throw enough money at a project.

I suspect that when it's finished, though, the benefits for the cost would be so nebulous that you'd wonder why you bothered. The HOURS of frustration; the modding the swingarm; the custom case cover for the output shaft...balance that against a few moments each week to lube the chain and wipe away splattered dirty oil...

Like Suzuki, Honda did ONE belt model, long ago. I saw it, stopped at a light, when I was out and about on my BMW some years ago...did a double take. Didn't have time to talk to the rider. Later I looked it up...yep, Honda had that one small machine with a belt. The Honda team tried it...didn't like it...and that's that.

[Django]

I'm sure it could be done. ANYTHING can be done, when you throw enough money at a project.

I suspect that when it's finished, though, the benefits for the cost would be so nebulous that you'd wonder why you bothered. The HOURS of frustration; the modding the swingarm; the custom case cover for the output shaft...balance that against a few moments each week to lube the chain and wipe away splattered dirty oil...

Like Suzuki, Honda did ONE belt model, long ago. I saw it, stopped at a light, when I was out and about on my BMW some years ago...did a double take. Didn't have time to talk to the rider. Later I looked it up...yep, Honda had that one small machine with a belt. The Honda team tried it...didn't like it...and that's that.

+1

I'd like to add, that if you want to do such changes to your bike to make it accomplish to your needs, it's probably the wrong bike and you should look for something else. That saves a lot of money and gives you some easy time.