Plastic or Vinyl Roller Chain

I would be really surprised if you could find a plastic chain that would get you out of the driveway.

If you really are fed up with lubing your chain, the only real alternative is to try to go with a belt. Do a google search and and look at some of the belts they put on the Sportster and also look at what Buell uses. You'd have a bit of retrofit to do but it could certainly be done.

Thanks for the quick response Swithchman.

The challenge with this model vt750dc honda is that there is not much room around the front spocket. One belt conversation that was marketed put too much pressure on the output shaft because the pulley had to be so small and lack of surface.

The plastic chain would not require any more tension than a metal one. The strength of the plastic, you are right, is the limiting factor so far.

Thanks again,

Bill

Sorry I ended up swamped at work and didn't get back to this until getting home.

^{One belt conversation that was marketed put too much pressure on the output shaft because the pulley had to be so small and lack of surface.}
I'm not really sure I understand that. The size of the pulley should not be the issue. I would think that the real issue might be the shaft bearing in the case not being beefy enough to take the increase in load from tensioning a belt properly.
You would want your primary (front) diameter to stay pretty much the same if you can, otherwise you have to compensate at the rear.

I'm not directly familiar with how much room you have on your Shadow or how much clearance your primary cover has but I would assume you would have to modify it.

Honestly I wouldn't think it would be worth it. And really, unless you are overlubing your chain, it's not that bad. I've used PJ1 lube on my RK chains for 30 years.

The issue is different. Plastics are basically visco-elastic in nature. Which means that 1) Their load deflection pattern is not linear & 2) they creep under steady load itself, that makes them unsuitable for applications where steady loads (or fluctuating loads is still worser) and heat are involved together. Hence in my opinion, except for children's bicycles, plastics chain is not a good idea for motor cycles.

NO and you really only have two (proven and cost effective solutions). Steel Chain and Belt, certainly any thing is possible with enough persistence and money to through at it but you want to ride this thing and not make a science project out of it right?

I the belt doesn't need to be tightened to the point of stressing shafts and bearings as it is cogged. It must however be aligned much closer than its chain counterpart.

Not knocking a 750 Honda or anything, but its not like you are dealing with a custom Harley or anything so in my humble opinion you would be better served by finding a quality aftermarket permanently lubricated motorcycle chain.

You could always trade it in on a BMW with shaft drive.

No.

Very strong plastics, such as Delrin, have tensile strengths on the order of 15,000 psi. Steel chain side plates have tensile strengths on the order of 150,000 psi.

Fibers, such as Kevlar or carbon can be stronger than many steels, and can be used in an engineered structure such as a toothed belt to provide adequate tensile strength along with sufficient coupling between pulley and belt. Thus your other choice is a toothed belt, but these are obviously not the ne plus ultra in power transmission. They are workable and quiet, but they are used on a minority of motorcycles, and mainly only those that are near the bottom of the heap in terms of performance, such a Harleys, or in custom applications (choppers, drag bikes) in which a very wide belt is not seen as an obstacle. You will not find belts on any of the crotch rockets for reasons of performance: the pulleys must be too wide and too heavy, and the belt itself is too wide to fit, if you want to keep the overall bike as narrow as possible in the interests of cornering. Harley's don't corner in a meaningful sense, so width makes no difference to them.

Ever hear of a Buel? No wait, obviously not from the high degree of ignorance displayed toward Harley's! Gee I wonder who makes that engine???

I've not only heard of Buell, I used to race with Eric. I've ridden loads of Harleys, and and even owned two Indians. If you are thinking that Harleys can keep up with any of the crotch rockets (GSXrs' etc) you are mistaken. Even the Buells, which handle fairly well, are not fast when compared to the typical fast crotch rockets. Just look at the race results, and read the road tests. Going fast is not Harley's market. The leather you find in Harley dealerships is fringed, not road-race stuff. Most Harley dealerships are now mainly clothing stores with an occasional motorcycle thrown in (I'm not exaggerating here: the average successful store devotes more space to clothes than to bikes.)

Eric and I both raced in the 24 Hours of Nelson Ledges in the seventies. We wanted to get him on our team, because he was an excellent rider (and had been campaigning an Aermachhi, an Italian grand prix bike that was sold through Harley.) I don't remember if he rode with us once or not, but he road against us at least once. In any case, when we road a 350 four cylinder Honda to second overall, beating every 500cc every 750cc and every open class bike, most bikes could blow right past us on the longest straight. But we'd blow past everyone in the turns. About the only exception on the straights -- the only bikes that didn't blow right past -- were tricked-out Harleys.

Harleys are fun if you like them. But they are not fast in any conventional sense of the word. Given a complete rework, they can be good drag bikes. Then a huge belt is not a disadvantage for overall engine width.

That may seem like ignorance to you but it comes from both experience and simple reading of race results and road tests. If you are aware of any race results or road tests that put a Harley ahead of a GSXr just post a link.

BTW, I was saddened to see this video. Erik is a really nice guy, and I admire his ability to take his dream to reality, and keep it going for 26 years.

Hi Blink,

What video? Were you meaning to stick in a link?
I have also enjoyed watching the direction Buell has taken his company over the years. I very well may get off the fence and buy an 1125R. I've ridden the Firebolt quite a few times but the sportster engined bikes just don't do much for me.
I have a highly modified gs1100e that still makes me grin and I also have a gsxr1000 that is just wicked in every sense. But a friend of mine bought the Rotax based 1125 last year and it is simply outstanding. Light, flickable as a feather, and really fun. He can hang with me pretty well in the twisties, until I really turn the 1000 loose. But I can trade bikes with him and flat outrun him even though he rides good.

Hi,

Yes I failed to make the link. Sad stuff.