Belt Drive Conversion (Scootworks Mondo Drive)

[Holraven]

From what I recall, Scootworks was a two-man joint in some small town in the US. I wouldn't be surprised if they're simply out of business, especially given the ridiculous delivery time. Seemed to be run out of a garage. I actually considered ordering an extra belt way back when, just in case. I didn't, though...

Luckily, everything is still working buttery smooth. Though I'm not really riding my bike any more due to small kids and a wife with severe bike-o-fobia. Considering selling it and getting a genuine Indian sometime down the road. 

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[vag72]

Any update on that kit? I'd like to have one but seems like they are out of production.

[Zoar]

Thanks for this post!

I bought my bike with the conversion already on it. It is smooth. And it does seem to like higher gears, higher speeds!

As I got off my bike late last night, I could not help saying aloud to no one: "God, I love this bike!"

[CycloneRider]

I'm parting out my 2000 Drifter 800 project.

Scootworks chrome belt drive conversion $450+shipping
*** I cannot ship directly overseas, but I can ship to a freight forwarder here in the US.***

Just don't have the time to get her back on the road.

[49Reo]

Mine was hor a Harley, so I would check pitch, width, # of teeth, etc, and see if Harley has one that matches that. Try Scootworks, maybe they can supply or point you in the right direction. Actually, Chief might have on in his stores, maybe it will match up. It was form an '05 FLHT.

[Holraven]

At that point I bought an "emergency" belt, which you feed through just like a chain, the ends are notched where they fit together, and hardened  bolts hold it together. A worthwhile investment to keep in the bottom of a saddlebag; as you have to split the bike, basically, it makes for a difficult roadside fix with the standard belt. I would check the tooth pitch and # of teeth, and pick one up, if it is a concern to you. Not cheap, somewhere in the $100.00 range, but cheaper than getting hauled to a shop if on a road trip.

That's ingenious! Any idea what to search for or where to get it? Brand, store or search term? Those $100 can be a potential life saver.

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[49Reo]

Belts are really nice, with the exception of roadside fixes. I haven't had a chain drive bike since 1988, but still have the spare master link in the kit. A lot easier to walk back and pick up the chain, feed it through, and a new link, done, vs walking back, picking up the broken belt, and thinking, "what now?" Still like belts better though...second to shaft.

[CDNRatMan]

  A lot of the negative comments on the belt drive that I have read had to do with the front sprocket wearing erratically. Some thought it had to do with the width of the sprocket and how it was not balanced out or some sort of thing like that. There is a lot of reading out there on the Drifter and VN 800's being modified with the belt drive.

[49Reo]

A friend of mine bought his Harley new in 1998, that bike has over 80,000 miles on it and still on the original belt. That being said, I picked up a small rock in my belt on my '88 Softail in '89, picked the rock out(it was in the center of the belt, at the root of the tooth) sold the bike in 2005 it was still going strong. My 2005, I had to change the belt at 5500 miles as it too picked up a rock on the edge of the belt. Not a good place so changed it. At that point I bought an "emergency" belt, which you feed through just like a chain, the ends are notched where they fit together, and hardened  bolts hold it together. A worthwhile investment to keep in the bottom of a saddlebag; as you have to split the bike, basically, it makes for a difficult roadside fix with the standard belt. I would check the tooth pitch and # of teeth, and pick one up, if it is a concern to you. Not cheap, somewhere in the $100.00 range, but cheaper than getting hauled to a shop if on a road trip. Let us know how it works out; I'm curious about the front pulley wear, while it would be different than on other belt drive bikes.

[greenbarn]

I know, I was going back and forth a lot before confirming my order. I'm going to check the front pulley a little later in the season and post an update.

To quote the scootworks web on the ratio: "The ratio of this system is 2.20:1, similar to a common sprocket setup for more relaxed highway cruising of a 18 tooth front and 40 tooth rear sprocket."

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That seems odd...   I went with the sprocket change as well - 18/38 - and I  love it.  What's odd is that I bought the sprockets from ScootWorks, and they told me at that time that the 18/38 combination was about what their belt drive system was....   

[CDNRatMan]

 Thanks for the info on the ratio. I am interested in any wear and such on the front sprocket,also might be interesting on any belt adjustments needed and if or how often.

[Holraven]

I know, I was going back and forth a lot before confirming my order. I'm going to check the front pulley a little later in the season and post an update.

To quote the scootworks web on the ratio: "The ratio of this system is 2.20:1, similar to a common sprocket setup for more relaxed highway cruising of a 18 tooth front and 40 tooth rear sprocket."

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[CDNRatMan]

  Sounds like a very doable mod over the winter. But what has kept me from doing it was all the bad reviews on the front sprocket problems.
Would you know the gear ratio once you change, because stock set up is 17/40 for the 800, and I did the swap to 18/38 and I have no problems running at 120 km/h even 2 up and can maintain it all day long. I do find with my set up that 100 km/h seems to be the best all round speed for all day riding. I would like to know what the ratio is with the belt sprockets.
But a nice write up and easy to understand. Thanks.

[Holraven]

After reading up and down these and other forums, I finally ignored all warnings and ordered the Belt Conversion Kit. The pain of lubing the chain with those massive fenders, as well as the chore of washing rims full of spillage, made me give in to the dream of a maintenance free, noiseless, beautiful belt drive.

I'm sure you have read a lot about the kit already, but I'll confirm the first true rumour first: It takes FOREVER to get the kit. I went with the idea of ordering through Hellriser Customs (http://www.hellrisercustoms.com), and I have nothing but praise. The Küryakyn tombstone bag I ordered with the kit was ready to ship in a week or so. As for the kit; I ordered on January 30th and the kit was finally sent on May 22nd. That is close to four months. So if you want the kit, order it in the Winter!

That said, I can understand that a small-scale operation like Scootworks produces batches of their items from time to time. They do not have a dedicated assembly line for each item, but pretty much decide on-the-fly which item to make that day/week. And I realise the request for belt drive kits for VN800 bikes are not as high as other items. So I get it. To some extent.

When I eventually got the package, the first thing I noted that there were no instructions included. You'll need to print them yourself from the "Information Center" at http://www.scootworks.com. The entire operation is pretty basic, but it is time consuming. You will need to remove the rear wheel, the exhaust, the suspension "cradle" (the inner swing arm or whatchacall it) and you'll probably want to remove 10-15 years of grease, oil and dirt before reassembling the bike...

A friendly tip on the order of disassembly (which I didn't follow):

• Remove the exhaust. Yes, you'll have to. You won't be able to loosen the pivot bolt for the suspension "cradle" without it.
• Loosen the front sprocket nut first. Hold the rear brake down to lock the wheel, chain and sprocket.

The rest should be pretty self-explanatory. Just make sure all bolts and parts that come off the bike go back on the bike. Preferably in the same location.

And oh. Before disassembly I didn't realise that the belt actually loops the pivot bolt for the suspension cradle. Yes, you need to remove the bolt, meaning removing the rear shock and fiddle about it a bit. You don't have to remove the cradle completely though, as there is enough space to get both the chain and the belt past the cradle once you've removed the bolts. I left the rear brake caliper hanging from the swing arm and all. Less is more.

The instructions warned that the rear pulley could be a tight fit. On my bike it was a perfect fit.

What was tight, however, was the front pulley. There is a rubber "seal" completing the protective "wall" towards the front, and I had to remove it completely to provide space for the pulley. Once that was gone, there were no issues.

Note the rubber thingy at the front.

No rubber!

Belt installed, and as you can see there is no room for that rubber thingy!

The most fiddly point of the operation is getting the wheel back on. I recommend using four hands (i.e. ask a friend). I did it alone, and while doable I did swear a lot and scratch the paint of my new pulley...

After completing the belt tensioning procedure (where you definitely need a friend), I reassembled the rest and got ready for riding!

How long does it take?
For me, it took two evenings of work, maybe four hours the first and three hours the second. Most of those hours were spent scraping off muck, mud and grease from the rim, hub and engine.

Is it ready to ride immediately?
You'll need to wait 24 hours to let the Loctite/Permatex cure. I did the disassembly, cleaning and fastening of the front pulley on day one, then I adjusted and reassembled the rest on day two.

How does it feel?
Well, how can I put it... I love it. It is so much smoother, less noise, and the higher ratio suits my driving perfectly. I'm able to use all the gears more efficiently and the throttle response is also much smoother.

I took a trip totalling about 200 kms (125 miles) yesterday. It seemed slightly harder to keep 120 km/h (75 mph) steady on the motorway in fifth, but it might have been poor wind conditions as well. Traditionally my bike tops out at around 130 km/h (80 mph) with normal driving, and I haven't really tried getting it faster - that's quite uncomfortable enough. Cruising in 80-100 km/h (50-65 mph) is no problem and the RPM has been slightly reduced. Still, I find the change is more noticeable in the lower gears.

So what about durability?
That's the question, isn't it... I've read about worn out bearings and pulleys, but I won't know until I ride more.

I'll be posting later on when I've busted more miles! 

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