I have been curious about why some bobbers have a belt drive and others go for a chain drive. What will that do and what are the ups and downs if I switch for a chain drive bike.

Thanks in advance

Serowbot wrote on 12/31/14 at 07:52:59:


Does it affect with speed and torque?

Aaaahhh I get it now!

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sticking to belt drive?

jorge__mendez wrote on 12/31/14 at 08:46:16:


The advantage of sticking with the belt is that it lasts 4-5 times what a chain does....without all the mess and noise.  A few folks have some squeaks - but I can't hear those high pitched noises anymore so I don't have any problem there.  It is very low maintenance and very clean.

The disadvantage is that gearing changes are difficult...the only way you can accomplish that is by switching the front and/or rear pulleys to Kawasak pulleys - which takes a good bit of machining skills and equipment.  Another disadvantage is that a steady diet of gravel roads can be a problem.  You also are stuck with a single belt length - so making a custom hardtail conversion requires you to switch to chain drive.

How is changing the pulley gonna get you a better ride?

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 12/31/14 at 10:16:18:


idk, ask one with more experience than me man. Thats why im using the forum to learn  

You need to ride your bike for a while before you decide you need more gearing.......I think I rode mine about 4,000 miles before I made the change.  Any if you are over 200 pounds or ride double a lot - the stock engine most likely won't like the taller gearing.  The first step up is to just to the front pulley.....then for more of overdrive feeling in 5th you can add the rear pulley conversion.

Here is the basic info for the pulley conversion.  If you get the Kawasaki pulleys.....you just use the stock pulleys to tell you how much to machine off or where to drill holes.  It is not rocket science....it is machinist math.  The front pulley is really hard, and a carbide cutter is necessary for the machining.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1384949185

This is only worthwhile if you spend a lot of time on the open road.   I changed both pulleys and I don't even shift into 5th at speeds below 60 mph.  My bike is light and the motor is hopped up....it pulls 5th easily up to about 85 and then just runs out of power....faster speeds require that I shift back down to 4th for some extra rpms until I reach terminal velocity.   A stock bike (weight and horsepower) might not do so well with both pulleys changed, and it you don't do 70 mph regularly you might not even like the changes doing just the front sprocket.  Serowbot tried the front sprocket for a while...and switched back to stock.

One negative of the pulley conversion....is 1st gear gets to be really tall.  If you are a new rider...this tall first gear may be an issue.

I have no idea what the difference in acceleration vs. speed is with the change in pulley ratios.......we seldom get into drag races with this bike.  My goal was a nice comfortable cruise when I was on the highway.