How lame are belt drives?

[samsquantch]

I found a cheap '81 kz440 w/title, but it's belt drive. I've never liked them, but don't have any real experience with them.. They just seem kind of lame and remind me of newer huge harleys with cd players in them.

From a maintenance perspective, I've heard they're nicer.



I used to hate mag wheels, but have started to really like them- especially for the maintenance and durability argument.


Is switching back to chain as simple as getting 2 sprockets and a chain?

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Belt drive is, without question, THE superior final drive. It is zero maintenance, and unless damaged, will generally last the life of the bike. Many, many Harleys out there have seen well over 100,000 miles on the original belt. Definitely the most reliable final drive available.

Belt drive is also the most efficient final drive. More efficient than chain, and MUCH more efficient than shaft drive. This means better fuel mileage, and more horsepower to the rear wheel.

Converting to chain drive would be, well, stupid.

 

[Tim]

Quiet, light, clean... all pretty good reasons to stick with belt.

 

[Dyrden]

Too quiet. Too clean. Too reliable and efficient. Reminds me of a Camry and I don't like Camrys. They're for soccer moms and dentists and found in abundance at Walmarts parking lots.

 

[Hoofhearted]

Sure you could convert it to chain drive. Nothing is impossible. Having never seen the set up I have n idea what is required. It maybe some machining or it could be a couple of sprockets. But that question reminds me of some of the people over on the JJ. "Can I get rid of my electric starter on my Harley and get a kick start only conversion?"

Sounds posey.

 

[Drewski]

Are there gearing options with belt drives??

That might be the only concern for some folks.

 

[VonYinzer]

Theyre the lamest. You'll totally get your ass kicked by scooter riding, scarf wearing, limp wristed nancy boys if you buy a bike with a belt drive.

 

[Drewski]

So...

no opinions.


Just what I expected!

 

[VonYinzer]

Are there gearing options with belt drives??

That might be the only concern for some folks.

I know that for Harleys you can swap out the drive wheels and belt, but itll cost ya...

 

[Drewski]

I know that for Harleys you can swap out the drive wheels and belt, but itll cost ya...

I'm guessing for the lowly KZ, you're on your own.

 

[bradj]

Unless you buy a HD CVO V-rod I guess. ;D

:

 

[Bozz]

Those 440LTD were the same engines and hubs as other Chain drive KZ's.


They can be converted back to chain without much hassle.


However, as stated above, they are mechanically a very good final drive solution.


In my opinion, there are a lot of "unappealing" aspects to that bike as it came from the factory that can stand with some serious improvement, but the belt drive is not one of them...

 

[samsquantch]

I agree, the factory kz440 is about as ugly as they come. Besides the seat, bars, and small back wheel- what else don't you like about it?

 

[hillsy]

From what I've read swapping the belt out for a chain drive on the 440 is pretty simple (the chain drive version parts apparently bolt straight on)

The benefits are that you can change your gearing as desired (pretty sure you can't buy different sized pullies for the 440's).

Is it dumb to change it? Well, not if you want to change gearing. And the belt drive on the 440 looks pretty daft.

But yeah - there's a heap of other things on the 440 that look daft as well :

 

[makotosun]

It is a bolt on swap - but you have to saw all off bracket on the swingarm. I did the swap because both sprockets plus a good chain cost about 1/2 of the needed new belt on mine (this was a few years back.

No operation issues after the swap.


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