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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> chain or belt drive??? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1251672850 Message started by jonnyb021104 on 08/30/09 at 15:54:10 |
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Title: chain or belt drive??? Post by jonnyb021104 on 08/30/09 at 15:54:10 okay i want some better highway rpms so i need to either find better gearing on the belt drive or convert it to chain drive any opinions or help would be greatly appreciated. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by clueless on 08/30/09 at 16:01:38 Chain drive works for me. I don't think you will find accessory belt sprockets for the bike. Absolutely one of the two best mods I have done. Ed_L forward controls is also one of the two. Makes freeway cruising MUCH better! Just my opinion. Let others chime in. Jim |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Boule’tard on 08/30/09 at 17:45:12 I'm not sure about the gear ratios of other model years, but my '05 S40 gearing is plenty tall. 1st gear goes to 15mph easy, way taller than my dirt bike. I feel like I'm abusing the clutch just to get going. Highway cruising is no problem (again, I'm used to thumper dirt bike vibration) and 60-70mph is comfortable. I have been lucky with the belt drive, no squeaks, alignment tweaks, or wax necessary. So.. going against the grain, I cast one vote FOR the belt drive. Having lived with PITA high-maintenance chain drive bikes, I really like the belt drive. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by clueless on 08/31/09 at 05:31:45 Well, the conversion is really simple, and reversible. High quality chain makes a BIG difference. And the "dry" chain lube makes it less messy. My total cost was around $100.00. I would absolutely never go back to the belt, until optional belt stuff is manufactured. 20K on my bike, original clutch. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Boule’tard on 08/31/09 at 06:31:39 Must admit, those "clean" wax based lubes make life a lot easier, I have used Belray-clean on chain drives for a couple years now. Good to know the Savage's clutch is durable :) |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Duane on 08/31/09 at 07:12:29 I find the belt to be a pretty cool option on the Savage. I like mine and have had no problems but it I wanted a better high speed I would definelty look into it. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by jonnyb021104 on 08/31/09 at 14:31:49 well my savage is the 86 with the 4 speed and it is absolutley awesome for around town but as for highway i do not feel comfortable at 70 because it is revved pretty high and i would like to be able to cruise at that speed comfortably, does anyone know where to get the parts for this and what number of teeth would be best for that? and i like the belt because it is relitivley maintence free but i would really like some better highway speeds with lower rpms. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by BurnPgh on 09/02/09 at 22:02:24 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1174239333/0#0 All you need to know. ^ Id suggest using 17tooth front sprocket. With the 16 the chain gets pretty close to the swingarm unless you run a 45 or larger rear sprocket. Im running 16/43 and like it okay but I've also got a 16in rear wheel so im more in the range of 17/43. If you've got any significant hills around Id go 17/45. It really makes a great difference on the highway. With the belt Id get an uneasy vibration at 60-65mph actual. I dont get to that point until about 70-75(indicated) now, which with the 16in rear wheel is more like 77/78-83/84mph (actual). I dont go any faster than that ever really so its all gravy. I did push it a bit past 90mph (indicated) with my set up once, which is very very near to or slightly past the ton. Fast enough for me. In any case I vote heavily for the chain conversion for this single reason. While it is much less likely that you'll break your belt while riding IF you do you're calling a tow truck or a friend with a pickup. Very inconvenient and likely time consuming as you wait for your 4 wheeled rescue not to mention the $180+/- to replace the broken belt. On the other hand, with a chain, if you carry a cheap chain breaker ($16 on bikebandit), extra clip type masterlink ($3), and a set of needle nose pliers you can easily repair a chain break in about 10 minutes and continue merrily on your way. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by klx650sm2002 on 09/03/09 at 06:00:17 I've put higher gearing on the KLX, 16/42 from 15/43. Speeds thru' gears are 40,60,78,97,117. Peak torque in top is 65-70, making for nice relaxed cruiseing. Clive W :) |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by clueless on 09/03/09 at 19:44:36 Burn is dead nuts on. I run 17/43 and hauls my fat a$$ fine around town just fine. You know the feeling, you think there is another gear, but there isn't. With the chain drive, it's there. JMHO. ps, still hang with the 883's. My buddies Road King can't just run away from me! They have to work at it. I can cruise at 70 all day and easily bump up to 80 to pass. Cheap, reversible, why not try it??? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by boofer on 09/17/09 at 21:35:33 When I got my bike friends with bikes would walk around it taking it in. Aside from the "cyinder as big as a coffee can" comments they all said, "Look! Belt drive. Had a _____one time with belt drive. Loved it. And they're tougher than they look." Having said that, I never minded keeping chains lubed, either. Just need to get the torque to the ground. My '01 seems happy at 60-65. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by dasch on 09/17/09 at 22:23:07 Biggest front gear applicable seems to be a 17. What is the smallest rear one could easily put on? Let's say I want the highest possible ratio using GS stock sprockets. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by boofer on 09/17/09 at 22:44:31 I just remembered that the first Honda CB750 fours had a problem with chains breaking, wrapping or wedging onto the countershaft sprocket and cracking the aluminum engine case. Have no idea what you guys are doing. Just thought I would throw it out there in case you are getting really close on clearance? Boofer |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by rigidchop on 09/19/09 at 19:01:16 that was the first models 1969 and some of the early 70's models, chains have come a long way since then. alot more durable and plenty stronger. many of those older bikes it wasnt even recommended to use a master link, they wanted a rider to use an endless chain. not so now. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Monte on 11/12/09 at 03:19:07 I am going to install a chain on my savage, so i'd be very thankfull if someone could write donw all other bike models and years that has a chain kit wich would fit on savage. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by BurnPgh on 11/12/09 at 10:35:09 It's not a kit really. Juts go to bikebandit.com and order the 2 sprockets and a chain. Thats all there is to it. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Monte on 11/16/09 at 05:58:55 Sorry for the stupid post again, bot I don't really understand what sprockets should I use. I would be very thankful if You could give me direct link to it from bikebandit.com. Thanks ;) |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by BurnPgh on 11/16/09 at 11:55:53 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1174239333/0#0 ^ This has all the info you need. Read before you proceed. http://www.bikebandit.com/jt-front-steel-sprocket?mg=3628&t=1&td=1 Front - pick a size. I recommend 17 http://www.bikebandit.com/jt-rear-steel-sprocket?mg=3628&t=1&td=1 Rear - pick a size. 43 - 50 are your best choices http://www.bikebandit.com/street-chains/c/a697193a622987a697167 Pick a chain. size 530, length 110 links. Make sure the clip on the master link has the closed end facing the direction of travel when you install it. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by danroot on 11/26/09 at 16:53:46 what strength of chain you guys recommend? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Oldfeller on 11/27/09 at 08:43:35 Danroot, The chain we use today fits the sprockets that fit the holes and splines of a 1986 era design type sister motorcycle. They happen to fit our bike too 'cause Suzuki has a lot of common use design parts between their bikes (clutch plates, baskets, sprockets, spline shafts, wheel hub geometry are all reused from bike to bike as common parts between models saves design time and it also mean less costly parts). Chains used to be huge so to be able to carry the loads the larger, more powerful bikes required while still being made of fairly soft material. So our chain is huge -- ain't many much bigger. Interesting point is that if you buy a premium grade X ring chain made today, it is made of modern high strength steels -- but it still has to be made HUGE to fit the sprockets. We don't know how strong the resulting chain is, but it is stronger than we need by far. This means potentially very durable too. If you set up a squeeze oiler to preserve the external lubing of the O rings and the sprocket itself, then the O rings will keep the factory grease inside the links for like 50,000 miles. Your spockets will last that long too. If you don't, the chain won't last 30,000 miles. Sprocket goes when the chain goes (they are wear married after all). =========== Now, interesting point for you to consider -- a chain conversion with a good X ring chain costs well over $100. It costs less than a new belt, but that is still well over $160. A good X ring chain by itself can cost over $100. For twice that much money you can buy a Stage 2 Cam and then you don't need the chain conversion at all as your bike can spin up enough to use the stock belt ratios to break the ton. In 4th gear no less. So, you can spend the money to try to squeeze a little extra speed out of stock motor output at standard RPMs -- or you can spend the money to increase motor output and spin the motor up to higher rpm ranges that a stock motor simply cannot reach. Chain conversion or Stage 2 Cam? The dollars are not all that far apart from each other. W.W.Y.D??? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by danroot on 11/27/09 at 13:39:12 why not both? but when looking at a chain that says "up to 400cc recommended" is it not wise to use it? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Oldfeller on 11/27/09 at 18:52:40 That suggests you are looking at a chain that is made of fairly soft material. Remember, these chains are also industrial transmission chain, logging belt chain and a myrad myrad other uses (for the soft standard stuff). You can buy this chain in several grades by 50 foot, 100 foot and 500 foot spools from industrial supply sources. The soft stuff won't break on you if you use it on our bikes, but it will not last very long either. Remember, a stock Savage is the equivalent of a 350 Honda in motor output, so you fit the "under 400cc rule" for the standard soft chain. You keep reminding me of all the reasons I don't want to mess with a chain (and why my conversion kit stays in the drawer waiting for my belt to wear out). Oiling it, messing with adjusting it, having it wear out and require replacement. You are signing up for a constant hassle if you go chain. =========== Put a Stage 2 cam in it and leave the belt on it. Get same higher speeds, better overall performance and less daily monthly hassles. Ah, but then your motor wears out a bit quicker ---- ain't nuttin for free, is there? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Yonuh Adisi on 11/28/09 at 17:26:21 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1120506946 |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by Texas-1-lunger on 03/06/10 at 10:41:01 Just joined the ranks of chainers ! havent tried it out yet cause I have the RK chain and you need a special tool to press the rivits that i was not told about but all in all a very easy mod so far. |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by LANCER on 03/06/10 at 20:05:32 7B59584253360 wrote:
The early 80's models of the GS 450's and 550's use the same exact sprockets; front and rear. Here are the links to the two charts since the charts are so big and hard to work. http://www.sudco.com/CatalogJPG/390.jpg http://www.sudco.com/CatalogJPG/444.jpg http://www.sudco.com/CatalogJPG/390.jpg http://www.sudco.com/CatalogJPG/444.jpg |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by LANCER on 03/06/10 at 20:06:13 How do you make the darn charts smaller ? |
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Title: Re: chain or belt drive??? Post by verslagen1 on 03/06/10 at 22:37:30 search for irfanview it can be found at cnet install converts most anything to most anything resizes too. |
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