That's all, I see it rarely talked about, and only one mod page for it. I keep hearing it's been done alot and people are happy....where are you happy people?!?
Mostly I see this on 800 classics, not necessarily drifters... though its the same deal.
Ooooh. Well I know of one guy on DRF that did it. I guess he's the only one? Does he still come around? How does he like it?
I was thinking seriously of doing it to my 800 but it dosen't look like there is enough room for the new wider belt Scootworks sells. Anybody know if the wider belt will work?
I actually called scootworks and the rep told me that it will fit on a Drifter 800 with no fender mods. Did that on Thursday afternoon. So, unless he doesn't know/is lying to me I don't expect there to be a fitment problem.
Then I may have to spend some more money on my Drifter. ;D
Hi!,
I have convert mine to belt drive and No Problems so far... been about 1500 miles. Chief posted my MOD it is relatively easy, with the proper tools and time.
If you have questions, drop me an email
Lupee
I sent you a PM Lupee....
I also talked to Lupee and have ordered the belt drive system. They are two weeks out on delivery of belt systems so when I get it installed I will post how I like it. I gotta believe it is going to be a lot better than the chain cleaning,lubing and adjusting i just went through. :)
I wonder if it will take that "snap" out of the acceleration or if that's just a bike thing. I mean....it's supposed to be a smoother ride right?
I have a belt drive on my 01 800. The previous owner had it done. I like it but since this is my first bike in over 20 years all I can compare it to is my memory of my ninja which was entirely different.
Quote from: TC on June 05, 2010, 22:36:45 PM
I was thinking seriously of doing it to my 800 but it dosen't look like there is enough room for the new wider belt Scootworks sells. Anybody know if the wider belt will work?
The WideDrive conversion has been replaced with the MondoDrive conversion which uses a stronger belt so it isn't as wide. Been waiting to hear more myself, before deciding on the conversion myself though.
I really am interested in doing the belt conversion - I dont particularly enjoy lubricating the chain and the resulting grime it causes.
Whats up with scootworks these days? I ordered a luggage rack and backrest from them back in early June and after 5 weeks of "oh we have powdercoating issues, but we will send your order in a few days" I had them refund my money.
Interested in the feedback on the belts for future use.
Had to make a decision recently ,and went with new chain and sprockets, one tooth larger in front as I didn't have enough feedback on the belts. Am happy with the new sprocket results, lower rpms and less buzz at highway.
Might go with the belt next year ,simply to get rid of that chain cleaning and lubing.
Beware of scootworks ....It seems everything you order is 2wks out. Only problem is 2wks turns to 3,4,5,6 and longer if your willing to believe their BS. I ordered saddlebag mounts and after 52 days and many phone calls canceled my order.
Scootworks is a major supplier of products for us. If you have had a problem with delays from Scootworks, I'd like to hear from you.
Quote from: rderricknc on August 17, 2010, 19:25:51 PM
Beware of scootworks ....It seems everything you order is 2wks out. Only problem is 2wks turns to 3,4,5,6 and longer if your willing to believe their BS. I ordered saddlebag mounts and after 52 days and many phone calls canceled my order.
same thing for me - had to get a refund after 5-6 weeks of "it will ship next week"
So does any other company offer the parts for the conversion? Seems to be a relatively small crowd here of dissatisfied customers. I suspect that the parts are not in demand and no reason to keep them on a shelf for a bike that is 4 years out of production.
I ordered the conversion kit in JUNE. Haven't recieved it yet. No contact from Scootworks unless I inicieated it. Here is the last email I recieved. I'm giving them 2 more weeks then canceling. oh, they took my money from my credit card in June when I placed the order.
Yeah, I've seen several emails and had phone calls here this morning about
that person's comments. We manufacture over 700 products here, and only
about 15 are in backorder status. We've had several mechanical setbacks with
some of the production equipment here, but things are back up and running
now. That, combined with an extremely slow 2009, pushed our inventory levels
to the lowest point in 12 years.
We're running wide open to get these out the door, now (and have been every
time the equip was up). I've given my best guess at delivery times in the
past, but with a couple of major equipment breakdowns and a powder coating
problem, it's been a moving target with some of our products. My best guess,
with things running as well as they are now, we should have all of those
back orders caught up within the next 2 weeks.
People often only hear what they want, not to mention, most don't care when
something fails and pushes a delivery schedule back...they only want their
parts. If we miss a schedule for some reason, we suddenly become liars. I
understand both sides of the situation, but we can only work so much. Times
are tight with most small businesses, especially the powersports market, so
the answer isn't "hire more people".
I'll take a second to comment about the jabs the guy made at us online...
- No, we're not a member of the chamber or BBB. BBB only takes about 2-3
unsubstantiated negative reports to drop your score down to "D". The BBB
says, "for $600/yr we can help fix your score". We ship loads of
packages/day, over 45,000 in 2009, and the BBB doesn't take that into
consideration. They make it so it takes practically nothing to drop you
score, then they charge you $$ to make it look good again. That is one hell
of a lopside business tactic, if you want my opnion.
- Next, the chamber of this little 3600 population town offers nothing to
us...just a pretty little plague to hang on the wall and a bunch of dinner
meetings we can't attend because we actually _work_. We were on the chamber
and on the board for years, and got tired of all the wasted time with no
gain for business whatsoever. Yet, every time we have an open house and
bring folks into town (over 3500 people last year!!), the town is right
there with their hand out for fees and charges of all sorts.
- Lastly, his comment about the showroom..whew...we closed it for
renovations, and haven't finished them yet. In all these years, the showroom
only nets about 3% of our gross (at best), so it's not at the top of our
list of things to complete right now. It is, and always has been, a huge
waste of time and money. We constantly deal with theft and broken parts,
people who come in and yap for hours on end about stuff they bought
elsewhere for a few cents less, etc... We're downsizing the showroom and
converting it to warehouse space that's sorely needed. He totally failed to
mention that we expanded our service department, put in a waiting room for
our service customers, stretched the service hours out to 8am-6pm to better
allow them to get in and out with their bikes, and improved the total
serrvice operations throughput...all for our customers who actually stop in
and spend money.
If you don't want to wait, I understand. Let me know and I'll get a refund
processed for you. Otherwise, we're burning the midnight oil to get these
things caught up.
Sincerely,
Dave Hockaday
Manufacturing Manager
Scootworks, Inc.
I told him I would wait 2 more weeks as he said the back orders would be filled by then. He seems sincere.
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I have two Drifter vn800 bikes, a 2000 and 2006. I did the belt conversion on the 2000. It fits fine; you won't have any problems there. You do have to take the swingarm off to put the belt on, I'm a mechanic so I had the tools if you don't have the tools you may have to take it to a shop or swing by my place. :)
For the most part I like the belt, much quieter, better highway ratio.
BUT...
My front pully did not have the flanges peened on. I did not know this, I did not know they were supposed to be peened on, I did not even think about it. This was a Scootworks QA problem.
At 75+ miles an hour on the freeway the inside flange broke free and ripped into the side of the transmission cover. Boiling hot oil dumped out onto the belt and sprayed all on the inside of my left leg. I was only wearing jeans so this burned the holy hell out of me (mostly 1st degree, but some 2nd degree burns). The loss of oil caused my bearings to seize. By this time I was slowing down and my rear tire locked up at only about 35 mph. However I can tell you the belt held together. Scootworks replaced the front pully without so much as a 'sorry' and I did the rest of the repairs.
Shifting into 2nd gear some months later, not doing anything agressive, the belt simply broke and left me stranded once again, however, no physical pain this time. The belt was sucked up under the drive cover and snapped the aluminum cover in two which then fell in parts to the highway, fortunately no one was behind me. My suspicion was that the belt was damaged in the first incident (a fracture I couldn't see or something) and finally gave out, it could have been debris but I doubt it...it was a clean road. I replaced the cover and the belt (after a month waiting for Scootworks inventory) and was back on the road again.
So, I have not had good technical luck with the belt. But I'm sticking with it for the advantages and assuming the manufacturing flaw was the root of my belt problems which have hopefully been resolved.
Hopefully this story doesn't scare you off too much. ;)
Feel free to contact me with any questions...
This whole belt idea just seems like too much $, hassle and worry. A good chain and sprockets will give you 25K or more service with a regimen of cleaning and lubing occasionally. Chains are so much better now than when I started riding 40 years ago. I'll stick with the tried and true...but with an 18 tooth countershaft sprocket. Mike in TX
I am not a happy Camper with by belt apparently my rear monoshock is no wasted down that is tightening and loosen in up my belt and chain (when is had chain) and they a tearing apart. I hope I can find a solution because scootworks does not do refunding.
I'm lost. Could someone please translate that for me. Really, I would like to know wht is being said.
I believe this is the second scootworks belt drive I've heard about that shreds belts... for what its worth.
Well, I got the kit and had it installed. Haven'y riden it only 50 miles so far seems to shift much better and the rpm is lower per gear. Not much but lower. Will keep you informed as I get more miles on it.
Yes, please do so... and input a short review over on the accessories page if you will... this will allow folks to make informed decisions.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/
I want to remind everyone, your opinion about a product or vendor is welcome. Please post the facts upon which your opinion is based.
Don't use a dark font... it will be unreadable on some computers. Red is especially poor on this forum because of the dark background.
And, if you like a product/vendor and someone else does not... don't take it personally.
We have a review section where you can right up a review and rate your product/vendor.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/
Also a discussion area just for this sort of thing...
Vendor review discussions:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?board=25.0
Product review discussions:
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?board=31.0
Please use those areas.
Cheers.
TC, any more miles on your belt drive? Just curious. Thanks!!!
I did put an additional 70 miles on it. But it is on life support now for the winter here in NY State.
I really like the way it shifts now and it is an 800 but when I rode it last time I kept having to slow down. It ran so much smoother I would be going 70mph and not realize it.
Can't wait to put some real miles on it in the spring.
It is going to be a loooooong winter. :(
would you recommend I do it? I don't ride agressively. However, I'm thinking about a stiffer rear shock. I really like the bike and everything. It's the chain that's killing me. It's so annoying.
I hear ya on the chain being a pain. That's the main reason I went to belt.
I would reccomend the belt drive. I'm happy with it so far. You have to realize I have only put 120 miles on it so far. I don't ride agressively either.
As far as the stifer rear shock I don't know about that. I have noticed the ride on my 800 after the belt install is a bit stiffer. I had it set on 6 with the chain but had to drop to 3 with the belt. I don't know why it would make a difference unless it is because the belt is so much tighter than the chain was.
Well, I'm just wondering why all these belts are shredding on other drifters. The rear monoshock idea isn't new, that's how softails are made. Of course it may be because of a shoddy aftermarket product but I dunno, I sort of doubt it.
I don't know why they are shredding either. A lot of new bikes today are belt drive with a mono shock and have no problems.
I hope mine lasts but just in case it doesen't I kept the chain and sprockets. If I have to I will reinstall them and sell the 800 to get a 1500 shaft drive.
I would have bought a 1500 in the first place but didn't think the wife could reach the ground comfortably. Turns out she could have.
Yeah, my grandpa bought a 1500 drifter and I was surprised at how big yet comfortable it was to ride. I only don't like the handle bars, they seem a bit too short to me.
I have bought several products from scootworks and have nothing but praise for them. I bought their original belt drive kit several years ago, but heard that since the teeth were so small that you had to put a lot of tension on the belt wich could cause the output bearing to fail. I got in touch with scootworks and they gave me a 250.00 credit toward the new and improved beltdrive kit which has larger teeth similar to most other belt drive systems. I e-mailed them a couple weeks after my order, and they apoligised for the wait and emediatly sent by priority mail for no extra charge and it arrived 2 days later. I've had it on my 2000 drifter for 2 years now with no problems whatsoever, and my whitewalls have no chain lube on them! I am totally happy with scootworks products. Jamey Wright #285
Sorry it has been so long since I posted on this subject.
I really like the belt drive system over the chain. So far it is trouble free and a lot more fun to ride.
Shifts better, no lurching like I had with the chain, is quieter and rides more comfortable as I had to soften the shock setting.
I don't know how easy or hard it was to install as I had my mechanic friend do it in his garage. I am not mechanical at all. All my maintenance goes to the shop except for oil and filter changes. :-[
Thanks for the update 8)
TC how about another update??? I just got a new fulltime job so I'm really interested in getting the belt drive now! Is it still holding up???
I've got about 4500 miles on my belt drive from scootworks. Zero problems, and it still looks brand new. Make sure you order the newest belt drive system that scootworks makes, I think it is the "Monsta" belt system. This is the one with the large teeth on the belt, that they claim will even handle "Hayabusa" type horsepower. With the larger teeth, you don't have to put so much tension on the belt like you did with their previous system. I had a small pebble work it's way all the way through the previous belt because of the excessive tension, plus I was worried about wearing out the output bearing. This I had heard was a serious problem before.
How is the cleanliness and ride as far as that goes? Obviously it wont be as smooth as my gpa's roadking but I'm looking for a bit smoother ride. Obviously being able to keep the back wheel/tire as clean as possible with a modicum (spelling???) amount of cleaning would be nice as well.
Thought I'd hop in here.... Can't believe it's been so long since visiting this forum.
I had the current "Mondo" version of ScootWorks belt drive installed for about 1500 miles. So far, I don't have any concerns about the design or performance of the belt. Everything seems to be going according to plan. I was surprised at how much quieter the belt was over the chain. Of course, the last chain noises I heard were its death rattles.
It's so nice not having to crawl around on the ground trying to lube the #$%@ chain.
Same here on posting in a while. My fiancee had a double lung transplant December 9th!!! I'm so excited for her!!! I'm glad to hear that the new iteration of the belt drive works a bit better. That's my plan for this spring/late winter. Next thing I'm going to get are bags for my ghost brackets. Thanks for the replies everybody!
C
I have 2002 800 drifter with wide drive belt . i have over 21,000 miles with it zero problums at all. I HAVE taken 2,500 mile trips
enjoyed every mile with belt drive. But now i need a need a new belt,scootworks is out of stock. The bike is down now for the winter summer is near still no belt. so who ever gets the wide belt drive buy a spare belt . Should anyone know where i can belt
please contact me . P.S. scootworks is still out of stock aweek ago.
Ok, here is the bad part about the Scootworks mondo belt drive system. I was very happy with it as far as performance and ease of maintenance, then after a few thousand miles I took off the side cover that covers the front pulley, and the scootworks aluminum pulley is almost gone! the teeth are so worn down that the belt is in a U shaped groove. I can see where the unworn portion of the pulley closest to the nut and lock washer is a good 1/4 inch or more thicker than the rest of the pulley. The belt looks fine, and the rear pulley doesnt look bad, but I am not going to spend another 250.00 plus shipping on another front pulley that will only last about 5500 miles. Why werent these things made from steel like the ones on the vulcan 900, and most other bikes ive seen? Oh yeah, to sell more 250.00 pulleys! Ps. will be going back to chain drive, have ordered an 18t front and 38t rear sprockets and new chain, still cheaper than a pulley!
I HAVE 2002 800 DRIFTER I GOT IT 2005 INSTALLED WIDE DRIVE 2006 HELD UP VERY WELL 16,000 PLUS . 2013 I INSTALLED
SCOOTWORKS MONDO DRIVE GREAT CHANGE ,BETTER PERFORMANCE . YOU WILL ENJOY THIS CHANGE . SCOOTWORKS
IS VERY SLOW TO GET THINGS DONE. I ORDERED MINE THRU HELLRISERCUSTOMS.COM TALK TO OWNER BILL PERING
HE BACKS HIS ORDERS 100 % . HE IS HONEST & CARING .SHOULD YOU CONTACT TELL HIM JACK ,GREEN VALLEY AZ SAID
ALL BIKES ARE GREAT
RIDE SAFE JACK
I think about 4 people.
Make it 5 people: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=38724.0 (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=38724.0) :)
+H+
I installed the Scootworks belt drive system on my Drifter 800 two years ago. I have done 3000km on it since then (rain and dry, highway and city). The install was easy. I followed the directions as written.
Pros: clean, maintenance free, better highway ratio (lower rpm), no noticeable difference in acceleration off the line
Cons: Mine seems to squeak, which you can only hear at below 10km/h. It does produce a 'dust' which needs to be washed off the rear wheel every now and then, but cleans away easily, unlike oil from the chain.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Notes: The WideDrive conversion has been replaced with the MondoDrive conversion which uses a stronger belt so it isn't as wide, so there are no clearance issues. Just bolts on. Also, according to Scootworks, the MondoDrive belt is simply a Harley belt, so future replacement is not a big deal.
Hope this helps.
Quote from: Goombah on October 18, 2014, 08:34:05 AM
I think about 4 people.
I also have a belt drive on my 800 Drifter. It was installed by a previous owner and I have NO details on it... All I can say is: I love it! Mine is a 2002 Drifter. I just finished 8 hours of riding it over the weekend and this thing loves to cruise happily and effortlessly at 65 to 75 and has plenty of torque.