Motorcycle drive belts? - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

SC_RIDER74 · 11-26-2012, 04:58 PM

Myself and a couple of riding buddies were in my garage just hanging out and my buddy was looking at my 1984 Kawasaki 440 LTD. which is belt driven. So the discussion of belt drives came up and he asked me what year was the first year belt drives came out and who was the first to use them. Hell I don't know!!! Lol. Maybe someone can send a little info my way and I can learn something! Thanks

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ZackDaniels · 11-26-2012, 05:14 PM

If you want to get technical they pre-date chains. Leather belts were the first drive system.

What's modernly known as belt drive arrived in the 80's. I'm not sure of the first mainstream production model to use it, but it was probably Harley or Suzuki.

I prefer belt to chain as they're virtually maintenance free. They stretch one time and then they're pretty much good to go for the life of the bike. All the advantage of a drive shaft with none of the weight and power loss.

GPSchmidt · 11-26-2012, 05:16 PM

Hey my Dad lives in Little River.

Oh, on the belt. My guess is that the belt has been around for a long, long time. Doubt HD was the 1st to come up with the idea.

CrazyDave · 11-26-2012, 05:20 PM

Harley used leather belt drives back in 1903, many other manufacturers also did through the teens and early twentys

rkforrest · 11-26-2012, 06:29 PM

Copeland was the first

The Story Of The Motorcycle

SC_RIDER74 · 11-26-2012, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the info guys, it was just one of those random conversations! LOL. Then it gets me thinking about it and I have to start researching. Thanks again.

SC_RIDER74 · 11-26-2012, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPSchmidt

Hey my Dad lives in Little River.

Oh, on the belt. My guess is that the belt has been around for a long, long time. Doubt HD was the 1st to come up with the idea.

Thanks for the reply on the belt issue! Its crazy some of the conversations we get into. lol. You said your dad lives in little river, i've lived here about 6 years and i love it. I love the weather, great for riding year round. Just wondering if he rides and if he does maybe he would like to hook up with us for some riding, its just me and a couple long time buddies. Anyway great talking with ya, give me a yell sometime! Ride safe!

vito · 11-26-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkforrest

Copeland was the first

The Story Of The Motorcycle

Good read. Thanks for posting that.

11-26-2012, 04:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
SC_RIDER74 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Little River, SC Posts: 22	Motorcycle drive belts? Myself and a couple of riding buddies were in my garage just hanging out and my buddy was looking at my 1984 Kawasaki 440 LTD. which is belt driven. So the discussion of belt drives came up and he asked me what year was the first year belt drives came out and who was the first to use them. Hell I don't know!!! Lol. Maybe someone can send a little info my way and I can learn something! Thanks Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Motorcycle.com Free App __________________

11-26-2012, 05:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
GPSchmidt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Allegan, Michigan Posts: 883	Hey my Dad lives in Little River. Oh, on the belt. My guess is that the belt has been around for a long, long time. Doubt HD was the 1st to come up with the idea. __________________ Greg 1993 Harley-Davidson XLH 1200 Sportster 1991 Harley-Davidson FLTCU Tour Glide Four Wheels Move the Body, Two Wheels Move the Soul

11-26-2012, 06:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
SC_RIDER74 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Little River, SC Posts: 22	Thanks for the info guys, it was just one of those random conversations! LOL. Then it gets me thinking about it and I have to start researching. Thanks again. __________________

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