View Full Version : Sprocket gear ratio for belt to chain drive conversion
Dlc43
04-07-2009, 07:28 PM
I have an old Arctic Cat mini bike.
It is the larger style bike with the 300x10 spoked wheels and tires.
It currently has a belt drive torque converter with a jackshaft drive.
It is very wet where I live and rains ALOT and there are frequent wet conditions and It causes a lot of belt wear and slippage and I have went through 3 torque-a-verter clutches in as many years.
I want to change this to a chain drive centrifugal clutch just for reliability reasons.
The jackshaft has a 12 tooth sprocket and the rear wheel has a 54 tooth sprocket on the 10 inch wheel.
What size centrifugal clutch (tooth count) and what size jackshaft sprocket should I get to replace the belt drive system and give me a good mid range gear ratio, I have a few hills in my area but most of my riding is on gravel or paved roads and I don't do any real dirt biking with it.
I am more interested in a gear ratio that favors top end or speed on paved roads but also has a little muscle for the hills.
Thanks
Dave
Dlc43
04-07-2009, 07:33 PM
Centrifugal clutches wont cut it for hills, you could make a guard around the cvt to keep water out tho.
I'm talking about smooth gradual hills on paved roads not heavy dirt biking type hills, just what you would normally encounter on a paved road.
I'm really through with the belt drive system.
Kaptain Krunch
04-07-2009, 07:43 PM
I understand, but im telling you, centrifugal cluthing are horrible, just keep the cvt. Unless you want to dump $100 into a nice clutch.
Dlc43
04-07-2009, 07:56 PM
I understand, but im telling you, centrifugal cluthing are horrible, just keep the cvt. Unless you want to dump $100 into a nice clutch.
OK, Just forget I asked the question, I don't WANT a belt drive,
Obviously no one understands sprocket ratios here which was the question.
Sorry I came here.
bye!
Kaptain Krunch
04-07-2009, 08:03 PM
And im telling you that you wont be happy with a clutch.. But a good ratio is 6:1 depending on tire size.
Kenny_McCormic
04-07-2009, 08:47 PM
You WANT to DOWNGRADE your bike!?! Unless you ride through ponds there is noway it gets wet enough to slip constantly unless you are using the wrong belt or something else is wrong.
Dlc43
04-07-2009, 09:28 PM
You WANT to DOWNGRADE your bike!?! Unless you ride through ponds there is noway it gets wet enough to slip constantly unless you are using the wrong belt or something else is wrong.
Why is this question so hard to answer?
YES, I WANT TO DOWN GRADE MY BIKE!!!!!
How is that so hard to understand LOL!!
I live in pacific rainforest! It is WET here! The roads are CONSTANTLY muddy and wet.
I burn up a $25 Comet belt about once every 3 weeks, I burn up a Comet clutch once a year.
My engine and converter sit about 10 inches off the ground.
The front tire CONSTANTLY sprays the drive belt with water.
Even with the cover on it is WET.
It rains a lot here! OK? Pacific Rainforest! WET WET WET! LOL!
I hardly think a centrifugal clutch is going to be any worse.
Blowing belts 15 miles from home and walking for hours does get irritating.
The question again is;
What clutch and jackshaft sprocket (tooth count) combination would give me a mid range gear ratio with a 10x300 tire?
I'm not interested in putting another Comet clutch on my bike. It blew today! That makes three clutches in 3 years, I hardly think a centrifugal clutch is going to be much worse.
I would rather spend the money on a high end centrifugal clutch and save myself $250 a year in Comet Clutch belts.
:roflol:
Kaptain Krunch
04-08-2009, 04:16 PM
A clutch will be much worse, keep the belt :roflol:
Ok thats the last time ill say that, anyways heres the link to a speed calculator, enter the engine rpm and tire diameter then play with different sprocket counts till you find what you want.
http://www.diygokarts.com/speed-calculator.html?val0=5&val1=7000&val2=20&val3=30&val4=104
Kenny_McCormic
04-08-2009, 06:16 PM
How are your primary clutches failing?
jr dragster Tyler
04-08-2009, 06:59 PM
I know when the belt on my TAV-2-30 gets soaked with rain it slips like crazy, Almost like the kart is in neutral then after a bit of revving its good.
Moto909
04-08-2009, 07:12 PM
depending on the condition, the bike would definitely be worth more if you left it stock. I think there is probably somebody looking to buy a vintage bike.
Do Work
04-09-2009, 10:44 PM
I hate to say it too, but you ARE better off with the belt drive. Why don't you build a housing to isolate the belt drive from the weather. Or seal the one you have. See with a centrifugal cluch you have to be full throttle or no throttle otherwise you will burn the cluch up from excessive heat from it slipping inside. And the hills will add heat (friction). Often that belt drive system you have needs to be taken apart, cleaned and lubricated to prolong the life of it. There are videos on the net that will show you how to do it. I seen them and I can't remember where right now. Anyways Good Luck!
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