can you convert a shaft drive motorcycle to chain drive
Credit to Malcolm Pitman who has helped Nordon Pty. Well now, that is an interesting one - thanks for sharing the pics. on a chain drive the power curve is short and drives hard only for a short distance in the gear range. I'm not sure why you would go thru the trouble. You can get everything including fenders, suspension, seat with backrest and lights or just a bare bones kit that in composed of a bracket, axle, sprocket (or final drive… Board Archives, Started by Fester I believe you can see the actual shaft for the shaft drive spin. . You would be much better off using a very high quality o-ring chain … Saw it at the last Syracuse Mile a few years back and met TDub the "tuner of vision".. this was the bike that spawned the Cometic gaskets for our visions.... hung pretty well with the XR750s. You alos have to redirect the oil flow that used to go to the bevel gears. It would be nice to be able to extend the swing arm back some and mess with sprocket sizes for higher gear ratios. The advantage of a chain is you can easily change your gearing. In all cases you'll have to remove the existing drive (of course), but you may also need to change out the transmission main shaft and bearing for one that will work with the pulley. You just have to have the space or place to put the right angle gearbox. If I do this, I can pick up a KZ1000 here locally for $500. The second option is to use the spare ZRX frame I have and install a KZ motor and body work. Where did you get the gears that you used from? It does, however, come with some cons. Rather than transferring the energy delivery of the motorcycle’s engine by two sprockets and a chain, a final drive shaft is connected to the engine that propels the rear wheel forward by gearing joints that turn the power 90 degrees from the shaft, to the rear wheel. The pics show a xs1100 chain conversion kit. We value our customers' time and money as much as we value our success in business. I have more piece of mind with my shaft. In most cases it will cost a lot more money and be more trouble than it is worth, and it is a better idea to simply buy a chain drive motorcycle or … If the engine part is that much work, I might put the engine aside in case I find a shaft drive yamaha ytm and save up for a big red engine. That makes them cheaper in th… Chandler very nice job on that conversion. As I remember, it was an expensive operation And not an easy one. Sounds like a nightmare with cam chain tensioners/guides, relocated pickups etc, etc. [SIGPIC]http://www.customfighters.com/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=161&dateline=1249787535[/SIGPIC]. If you want to weld a hardtail onto the frame of a shaft drive bike, consider this first: 1. you would be better off buying a GS11 chain drive the cost is phonominal on that project, they do make kits for Yamaha VMax's but the reason for that is cause they never made a chain drive VMAX, I say sell it and buy what you want a Chain drive GS1100. The conversion from shaft drive to chain has been done by a few brave souls, but only for racing purposes. Two Bearings mounted, one each end of the sprocket shaft. The shaft drive is what makes the vision a little different and comfortable. If so, where do I find? if you did convert a shaft to a chain, your tranny would need a set of 90 degree gears, similar to a differential, and in this case, it would allow a power take off. We are committed to providing the best service along with a broad selection of the highest quality replacement parts and accessories. This is why I somtimes think about changing the belt drive on my Buel to a chain. going to try and do this. Belts can fail if you get road debris in them. What makes Motionlogics Conversion Kit better? I would like to convert my 1982-84 Honda Magna 750 w/ a shaft drive to a Chain drive/belt drive. if you did convert a shaft to a chain, your tranny would need a set of 90 degree gears, similar to a differential, and in this case, it would allow a power take off. Well since a shaft output is on the back of the case instead of the side, I think you'd need a different engine. This is THUNDERDOME ! I have more piece of mind with my shaft. The disadvantages of shaft-drive are that it is a lot heavier than a chain and absorbs more of the engine’s power before it reaches the rear wheel compared to a chain system. . The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. There are precious few accessories available for a bike that was offered for only two years. In most cases it will cost a lot more money and be more trouble than it is worth, and it is a better idea to simply buy a chain drive motorcycle or shaft drive motorcycle … To me I prefer shaft and chain over belt drive. Are there transmittions available for this option? Although, I am not sure it can be done because it is a shaft driven motorcycle. Makes life a lot easier then machining cases and trying to setup sprockets and chain line. « 1 2 » Are there transmittions available for this option? that's (is/was) the Memphis Shades xz750. If you look at my avatar picture its a flattrack vision as well. Chain conversions also have been done for other yamaha shaft drive models like xs750 and xs1100. Ilooked up the vin# and it is a big red but chain drive. Any info would be great. Ive seen the bike and know a couple of the guys that have ridden it, Very cool. Females are nothing but Trouble, Motorcycles let you ride them with no guilt and all they ask you for is Gas Money. good luck finding parts that just fit, you will have to get into some fabrication to make it work. has anyone done this or try ed to do.was looking at bike bandit At the middle shaft it looked like you can put a sprocket in place of the gear. If converting the shaft drive motor is … just some guy on thechopperundeground.com, Custom Fighters - Custom Streetfighter Motorcycle Forum. However, they now last 70,000-120,000km or higher, depending on the use of the motorcycle. You'll save money and time in the long run. As I remember the engine will have to run reversed after the chain conversion. Sure beats the early days when you had to kick start or push them. Deepak, the costs to convert a 26hp Enfield Bullet to shaft drive, let alone the power loss would be prohibitive. I didnt think there was that much involve in converting the ytm200 shaftdrive engine to chain drive. Even if you could find one you would still have to change the rear wheel and swing arm. Both chain drive and shaft drive motorcycles offer their own sets of advantages and disadvantages, but chain drive motorcycles are by far the most common on the market today. Probably a new swingarm too, unless you are a badass machinist with a lot of free time. The main problem is the power curve. Carl Sagan. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, builds, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! I cant remember if it is an ES. The conversion from shaft drive to chain has been done by a few brave souls, but only for racing purposes. You just have to have the space or place to put the right angle gearbox. From what you said when I saw you in DA’s I think you want to remove the rear tire and axle from your Virago and add a car axle & tires. It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is then to persist in delusion, however satisfying or reassuring. It would be way cheaper to just buy a bike that already has a chain drive and is lower. There is no need to change the rotation of the engine. Let me know if you need any help. Belts can fail if you get road debris in them. It was a fast bike and with a little more devolpment I think it could have won a national or two. Early belts were not very reliable and lasted as little as 20,000km. The first in a four-part series on converting to chain drive. So I guess anything is possible if your willing to spend the time and money. I'd just as soon buy a bike with a chain on it. I would like to convert my 1982-84 Honda Magna 750 w/ a shaft drive to a Chain drive/belt drive. With a chain drive, you can replace one without having to do that and even if you decide not to oil it or keep it oiled so there is no "mess", you can replace it every couple of years for less money (I think they cost less than a belt). In general I do not recommend doing a motorcycle drive shaft to chain conversion, or a motorcycle chain to drive shaft conversion for that matter. I don't remember seeing this before. Chain Drive requires a lot of maintenance. Kevlar and carbon fibre belts extended the life of the drive belt so it can last the life of the motorcycle. Also, a chain drive system is capable enough to deal with high level torque produced in these machines, and almost all the dirt bikes and drag-focussed motorcycles feature a chain dive mechanism. I'm currently in the midst of a project that involves converting a Shaft driven KZ1100 to Chain drive. If your riding primarily involves going from point A to point B without much concern for how fast you get there, belt drives make the perfect method for harnessing the … I'm not a fan of the spoke design but do like the bodywork. My bike came with a belt drive and I am considering changing it to a chain drive. Auto Classifieds - View thousands of classic cars for sale on Hemmings Motor News. Wouldn't eliminating two 90 degree drives (engine & wheel)bring you back to the correct rotation? The counter shaft is splined just like the chain model so you can just put a sprocket off of the countershaft. Remember where you are. The prices and components vary. still feels like going uphill! A forum community dedicated to Custom Streetfighter Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Chain drive is widely used because it is inexpensive and efficient. I want more *** end to my bike, like a chopper, 130 or 200, low profile and fat as me. If the engine part is that much work, I might put the engine aside in case I find a shaft drive yamaha ytm and save up for a big red engine. For street riding the shaft drive is much cleaner, nearly as mechanically efficient, and wears much longer than a chain and sprockets. It is a shaft drive bike. The shaft turns the right way for chain drive. The shaft drive on your bike turns in the opposite direction of the drive shaft in a car. A chain drive system is preferred in almost all the super sports bikes because of the fact that the percentage of power loss in a chain drive mechanism is as little as almost 3%. if it ain't broke..... take it apart and find out why, Quote from: jefferson on January 02, 2013, 11:02:30 AM, Quote from: Night Vision on January 01, 2013, 09:39:59 PM. thinking of this i know it will not be easy. Board Archives, Started by MotorPlow Both chain and shaft models have the same part numbers for the cranks and cases. Your problem lies in the drive shaft rotation. Let me know if you need any help. To me I prefer shaft and chain over belt drive. I own both shaft and belt drive bikes. Re: Can you convert shaft drive wheel to chain? I've done the research and found I needed the output shaft, output shaft cover, shift drum, and sprocket cover from a GPZ1100. Welcome to Caltric.com. « Reply #9 on: April 08, 2010, 11:08:59 pm » What i have found is that most motorcycle manufacturers used the same mag pattern on shaft and chain driven bikes, i would try and find a model that used those wheels with the chain … I'm looking at an GS1100 shaft and converting it to chain...:glassesf::help0: i didnt even know it was possible......is it even worth the hassle?? Don't weld the frame permanently to shaft drive assembly. First, one has to understand what a shaft drive is. This means you will have to flip the drive shaft housing (aka pumpkin). it wasnt me. Its sprockets and chains wear faster than belt drive or shaft drive. Thanks for that but I have to wait to be acepted on the forum,what I really need is information on what Yamaha had a second box behind the engine,this took the chain drive and converted it to a shaft drive. Anybody know where to get some walk throughs or kits for this process? on the shaft drive the power curve is long and drives hard almost all the time. As I remember it had a reversed engine and a special built ignition by electrosport. Performance Chain Conversion Kits for Motorcycle Types of Drive Systems One of the cool parts you can add to your custom build is a motorcycle chain conversion kit. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Jump to Latest Follow ... To see my conversion of driveshaft to chain drive for the Kawasaki 1500 V twin. Harley transitioned its product range from chain to belt drive between 1980 and 1992. . Also; the swing arm is not a problem, I can fabricate another to accomodate. The swing arm and rear wheel will need replaced. So yea we are planning on converting the shaft drive to chain drive. Ltd., engineer a xs1100 chain drive conversion based on Pitman's XS1100 chain drive conversion. We just need to know if the gear is spinning the correct way out of the transmission that would allow us to “slap” a sprocket on it. Can't find the thread right now but somewhere on the internets I had read about this conversion. That's an interesting idea he did with the Vstar. Right now I have the output shaft and output shaft cover from an 81 GPZ1100, and a shift drum from an 83 GPZ1100. Motorcycles traditionally use either a chain or a shaft drive to transfer power from the engine to the rear wheel. There was another thread, some years ago, about a vision flat track racer.