It's a Done Deal

The belt conversion kit came in yesterday, Friday.. Me and the RedShad
checked the Green Vulcan in pretty early at Grapevine Kawasaki.. One of the
top techs there, commenced work on the motorcycle at about 11:00 AM and
finished the installation about 2:30 PM..

Jimmy Snow took his time and actually didn't have any problems with the
installation, but the swingarm had a weld that was pretty rough.. Jimmy had
to pull the wheel to get to it and grind that weld down just a little, so
that it didn't rub.. Not much of a problem, but it had to be attended to..

Anyway.. the shop manager and Jimmy Snow, both test rode the Green One
because everyone was interested in what kind of difference the belt drive
would make, compared to the sprocket and chain..

All said and done, I don't think I could tell much difference in the lower
speeds.. When I got into top end on the highway, I could sure tell the
difference.. That Green Vulcan smoothed out considerably.. There is
virtually no noise coming from the drive train.. There is considerably less
vibration and the bike seems more responsive..

Of course.. the thirty or so miles I rode, it's difficult to come to any
conclusions about the conversion from chain to belt, at this point.. One
very noticeable improvement was that the engine didn't seem to be working
nearly as hard at highway speed..

That has always been one of the very few complaints, if you could call it
that.. about this motorcycle.. For the ten years that I've been riding this
Green Vulcan.. I've always felt like it needed another gear when doing
highway speed.. Reportedly.. this one advantage over the chain will
noticeably increase fuel mileage.. We'll just have to ride it for a while to
find out about that..

So far, I can only report that the belt conversion seems to be a good
decision on my part.. Anyway.. it's done and all that's left is for me to
ride this sucker.. Regards

Bill Walker
Irving

 

: The belt conversion kit came in yesterday, Friday.. Me and the RedShad
: checked the Green Vulcan in pretty early at Grapevine Kawasaki.. One of the
: top techs there, commenced work on the motorcycle at about 11:00 AM and
: finished the installation about 2:30 PM..

: Jimmy Snow took his time and actually didn't have any problems with the
: installation, but the swingarm had a weld that was pretty rough.. Jimmy had
: to pull the wheel to get to it and grind that weld down just a little, so
: that it didn't rub.. Not much of a problem, but it had to be attended to..

: Anyway.. the shop manager and Jimmy Snow, both test rode the Green One
: because everyone was interested in what kind of difference the belt drive
: would make, compared to the sprocket and chain..

: All said and done, I don't think I could tell much difference in the lower
: speeds.. When I got into top end on the highway, I could sure tell the
: difference.. That Green Vulcan smoothed out considerably.. There is
: virtually no noise coming from the drive train.. There is considerably less
: vibration and the bike seems more responsive..

: Of course.. the thirty or so miles I rode, it's difficult to come to any
: conclusions about the conversion from chain to belt, at this point.. One
: very noticeable improvement was that the engine didn't seem to be working
: nearly as hard at highway speed..

: That has always been one of the very few complaints, if you could call it
: that.. about this motorcycle.. For the ten years that I've been riding this
: Green Vulcan.. I've always felt like it needed another gear when doing
: highway speed.. Reportedly.. this one advantage over the chain will
: noticeably increase fuel mileage.. We'll just have to ride it for a while to
: find out about that..

: So far, I can only report that the belt conversion seems to be a good
: decision on my part.. Anyway.. it's done and all that's left is for me to
: ride this sucker.. Regards

Bill,

I think you'll like not having to maintain the chain. Just watch the
belt on gravel roads. About the only think that kills belts is a rock
that gets caught between belt and sprocket and cuts the belt sideways.

Enjoy the new felling bike.

 

That sounds great. It's always nice when things work out
as planned.

Regarding your comment concerning your feel that an ad-
ditional gear is needed at highway speeds....

I've always made similar complaints, and everybody I've
ridden with has also. Every motorcycle I've owned over
the years has repeatedly reduced engine speed at any
specific highway speed. But, yet I still seem to find some
reason for complaint. It is because of this that I firmly
believe that even if I had a MC that would run 70 mph
@ 2rpm, I'd still be trying to figure out a way to reduce
that load to 1rpm. <ggg>

Gary

 

Bill, did that conversion affect the speedometer accuracy?

If you are riding today, me and the Mouse may roll by your place. Seeya
later.

 

Hey now.. you and the Mouse are always welcome.. Be glad to see you both,
and you bet.. I'd guess that we might pick up some company on a little ride
today.. Matter of fact, we were talking up a little rambling trip over to
Hico or someplace.. Regards

Bill Walker
Irving