Author Topic: Chains Noisier Than Belts?? (Read 6140 times)

jbrough7 · « **on:** May 11, 2006, 01:30:04 PM »

I come from belt drive and one cruiser guy I know told me, "Don't ever buy a bike with a chain - you will regret it as long as you live! They are so noisy they will drive you insane!"
So I think to myself, "Oh - oh! I like Bandits and they gots them each one of them thar chains!"

Then go out and buy the Bandit anyway. I swear the chain is quieter than my belt was on my old bike! The guy was full of crap? Were chains really noisy at one time?

Talked to a motorhead and he said if you're chain is making any noise, that means somethings not right and needs attention.

Any comments?

jim

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:40:31 PM »

I would have guessed a beltdrive would be quieter, but a well lubed chain with OEM countershaft sprocket isn't really "noisey." You will get a little more whine out of one if you have a countershaft sprocket without the rubber damper like the OEM one has, but even that's not terrible - to me anyway. Some can't stand it and opt to stick with OEM countershaft sprockets. The belt is lower maintenance...

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:46:38 PM »

Never had one, but I think the belts are a really good idea and everyone ought to use 'em. Bound to be quieter and smoother and lower maintenance, it seems to me.

But I'm out of date.

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:58:57 PM »

One problem with belts is high powered bikes need such wide ones they become impractical, which is why you don't see them on sportbikes.

Sven · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:19:36 PM »

Jim, that debate is something I went through when picking a bike a few years ago, and one that my buddy Brian went through in selecting his first bike this year at age 58.

Sure, drive shafts don't have much maintenance, whereas the amount of traffic about chains on this BBS makes it obvious that they do. And chains can get pretty noisy if not maintained. But I sure wouldn't pick a bike based on belt, shaft or chain. (The most important thing I found was, well, "the ballroom".) But like picking a car, or a TV, you have to consider all the features, prices, etc and make your choice.

jfudo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:23:55 PM »

The only good thing about belts in my opinion is that they reduce driveline lash because they are always "tight". I think it more than makes up for the additional flexibility in a belt over a chain, which isn't as much as you think.

interfuse · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:28:14 PM »

Okay, I just replaced my chain and sprockets. I noticed the new chain is WAY louder than my old chain. For the first few rides I was getting a howling sound. I think its getting quiter now but I might just be getting used to it.

Is that normal for a new chain & sprockets? Or am I suffering from aftermarket front sprocket?

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2006, 04:01:42 PM »

Quote from: "interfuse"

Or am I suffering from aftermarket front sprocket?

If your aftermarket front sprocket doesn't have the rubber cushion, that's where the extra noise is coming from.

IcyChaos · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2006, 01:53:44 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Quote from: "interfuse"
Or am I suffering from aftermarket front sprocket?

If your aftermarket front sprocket doesn't have the rubber cushion, that's where the extra noise is coming from.

Isn't a belt or shaft drive slower than a chain driven bike. Like if everything is the same except for the way power is transfered to the rear wheel.

Anyhow, My chain isn't making any noise since I got a new one. If your having a noisy chain something is wrong, needs cleaning / oiling / adjustment / replacement / sprockets etc.

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2006, 02:02:24 PM »

Quote from: "IcyChaos"

Isn't a belt or shaft drive slower than a chain driven bike. Like if everything is the same except for the way power is transfered to the rear wheel.

Everything else equal, a shaft will loose horsepower over a chain because you loose a little whenever you change the direction of power flow thru gears. The only time this would be a wash is on engines with a longitudinal crank and transmission shafts - like a BMW Boxer or Brick or Moto-Guzzi.

No real difference between a belt or chain though.

B6mick · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2006, 07:48:54 AM »

I was always lead to believe that belts are the most efficient means of transmitting power, followed closely by chain, but only when new, and then the shaft drive.
Belts that I have encountered have generally been heaps quieter than chains, and like shaft drives the no mess, is a huge plus. Low maintenance is also a big plus. Now huge horsepower presents a big problem to belts, also the use of belts on primary drives, like the ones used on Harley like setups, have problems too, as the clutch hub that the belt drives too, moves to disengage the clutch belts do not like side ways movement also they do not handle stones and other road debris.

However with these pitfalls I know of several Harley riders that the rear belt was original when the bikes were traded in, 1 with over 120 thousand miles on it. Not bad and yes he used to give the bike a hard time. Wish I could get that sort of life out of a chain.
Even when you sit back and work out the cost of belts, yes more expensive compared to a chain, and yes a pain in the butt to fit, if they last that long, it works out more cost effective than chains.

mike · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2006, 08:36:34 AM »

Very easy answer: Marketing

Belts = less maintenance = most current Harley Yuppies....

Look at the old Harley's... Chain baby !

solman · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2006, 09:04:03 AM »

Quote

One problem with belts is high powered bikes need such wide ones they become impractical, which is why you don't see them on sportbikes.

There must be some truth to this. Buells normally come with a belt drive on their bikes. On their new race ready bike, it is sporting a chain, not a belt.

Quote

The Buell XBRR features a modified XB Thunderstorm 1339cc (103.6mm bore x 79.4mm stroke) air/oil-cooled V-Twin motor rated at 150-hp (measured at the crankshaft). The engine is fed by a dual-downdraft 62mm throttle-body electronic fuel injection system and a ram-air intake system integrated with a new wind-tunnel developed carbon fiber fairing.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2006, 10:00:36 AM »

Dumb question: I thought chains/belts were always on the left side? They switch 'em for racing??

jim

solman · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2006, 10:04:06 AM »

It all depends on the manufacturer. Same with shaft drives, some are on the left, while others are on the right. Buells have always been on the right side.