Still, the newer chains have "O" rings built in there to reduce the noise. Plus the way my exhaust is (and Im not changing it) I'll never hear it. I had a triumph a long time ago. and that had an enclosed chain guard. So I'd make one of those for the trike. If the chain breaks. I just add a link. Not go through what you had to for a belt replacement . Besides. Ill be in there changing out the new engine and tranny. If I dont do a chain. While I'm in there I may change the belt. It has 60K on it. Not that its in bad shape. But because Im putting a brand new engine in there that has 125HP at the rear wheels. And about maintenance. I use to drive a tractor trailer. I keep an eye on everything. Always better safe than sorry.

RJ

 

I got to tell you guys a belt story and I promise you that I do not own a single share of Gates Rubber Co. It's just a story.

I was off with a bunch of guys in Texas once and on the way back, around Beaumont, I was passing a truck and thought the entire bottom-end had blown out of my motor. I got her stopped and after cleaning my pants out...I surmised the belt had stripped some teeth. I called my wife to see if she would bring the trailer down there and she was in one of those "bad moods" and did not want to drive the 300-miles-or-so to rescue me. I started to look up the local U-Haul and something came to mind. I was on an 86 softail and everything back there was clearly visible. I decided to adjust the axle and see what would happen. I tightened the belt up as tight as possible and tried it. Got about 250 feet and she started spinning the belt again, but I noticed that I was knocking off teeth as I rode. I tightened it up again...rode somore and broke off a few more teeth. I repeated this process until I had all the teeth ripped off the belt. I made a final tightening and was able to pull off and maintain a decent speed. I had to stop a few more times between Beaumont and home, but I made it those 300-or-so miles. It rained and the belt would slip...I would just slow down and gradually build the speed up. The next day when I got in from work I took the belt off for a replacement and the thing was a thin as a nickel, but never broke.

This one had around 75K on it and was pretty dry-rotted. I would recommend that anyone having their inner primary off for any reason having considerable miles on their belt..ought to just go ahead and change it. Or...do that chain conversion you may want to do.

People that are old and feeble like me and Wizard would not get down under there and fix a broken chain anyway. It would be a wrecker case with belt or chain for us.

I have some chain horror stories too, but that can be for later.

 

I would be in favor of them going to a drive shaft.

 

I was ok with your story, till you put in the old and feeble. Wizard mentioned that your were around when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. But Im 3 years older than wizard. I guess I'm feeble. lol Especially when I boasted one time that I bought a brand new chopper and only paid 350.00 for it. When asked what type it was. I responded, an upper dental plate! Yepper, I guess I'm feeble. lol

 

Wizard's that old? I thought he was in his 50's

 

You read that wrong. VT's up there, wizard is 53, Im 56.
Guess your at the age that ya need glasses. lol

 

I know how old Wizard is, but he asked me to keep quite about it. I need to also set the record straight on me. Contrary to the current rumor that has been spread around...I never purchased a brand-new Pan Head off any showroom floor.

When we take a trip, we always invite one young strong and healthy guy along. This guy is our "underneath" person in case anybody has to have something done below knee-level on a scooter.

 

Im 59 Got the glasses still can't see and I get confused easy LOL

 

OK guys... when you hit 50 you start counting backwards.. now who's the youngest chicken?

(don't answer that VT)

 

This must be an algebra test or something. From 50 backwards......I keep coming up with a pretty large negative number.