The Chopper Compendium

Hey guys looking for some information on converting from a belt drive to a chain. I'm in the process of building a frame and just figured out I'm all f'd up. I just realized he old POS death trap frame that came with the bike i bought had the rear section offset to allow for the belt alignment with the wide rear tire. when I set the jig up I made everything Center line. Now I'm about 7/8" off to one side with the rear tire when I mock the wheel up. I feel sick to my stomach to get this far and see this mistake. I have an ultima 6 speed RSD with a 1" belt drive. The rear pulley is taking up 1-1/4" of room and I'm thinking that if I go to chain I can hopefully get things centered up. what would you guys do? am i on the right track? I'm not very knowledgable when it comes to the mechanical side of the build yet, but am excited to learn! Thanks in advance for any guidance here.

Your pics are pretty big.
I have an ultima 6 speed LSD; but not a wide tire frame; but I will try to help.

The way you state it is.........."" Now I'm about 7/8" off to one side with the rear tire when I mock the wheel up."". Do you have room to shift the wheel.?

Are you running an open primary or enclosed chain drive.?

http://www.chopperhandbook.com/widetire.htm

Hey Hans thanks for the reply! Sorry about the pic size. I also should have been more clear that the alignment problem is in the final drive between the trans and the rear wheel. Yes I can move the wheel over, If I can gain room by switching from the 1-1/4" belt to the chain at the final drive. I do have a belt drive primary. I remeasured again a lot more accurately and its actually about 5/8" that the rear tire needs to move towards the pully/ sprocket side. I did some research and found some chain conversion kits and offset sprockets that will probably get me dialed in a little better. I like this idea better than moving backwards on the frame. plus a chains easier to change anyway right!

Sounds like you are doing OK.

As long as your engine/trany / motorplate faces are in plane with each other and with your rear wheel sprocket , you should be fine.

I am posting the belt drive picture to illustrate the alignment check, Yours would be on the other side of course.

smnmuller907 wrote:Hey guys looking for some information on converting from a belt drive to a chain.

If you have time and a camera, could you document the change over and your sources of parts; would be just great. Thanks .