Open Belt Covers...Would You?

eonan

eonan

New member
Are any of you guys running without belt covers? Or open covers? I know it's a topic that comes up frequently on the DML, and it seems quite a few them over there do.

I can't say I've EVER seen a design of belt cover that I like...until now. SpeedyMoto already produce these (in various colour combinations) for the duel sparks, but will have them ready for the 2 valve bikes in a couple of weeks time. I like them...a lot!

I understand the risks of something getting in there...grit, stone, seagull etc...I'm interested to hear your thoughts?
 
Last edited:
My only wory would be muck getting in, I like detailing on bikes, although I think that open belt covers are more for show bikes, there again at the speed they are turning I would imagine they will create a mini vortex-ey type atmosphere and blow rather than suck any stuff in/out ??? Not my specialist field though :confused: Yes will look the nuts though !
 
My only worry would be eonan's fringe gettiing caught in the belts.:D :D

Niall say's i'm an evil man.:laugh: :laugh:
 
If a stone is thrown up and lodges between the belt and one of the pulleys - BANG - instant blown engine. It may never happen but the odds are more likely on a naked bike. Sorry to be negative about this but I wouldn't take the chance myself.
A mate with an HD Sportster has twice had a final drive belt break due stones getting between the belt and the sprocket. The first time it punched a hole clean through the belt which lasted a few more thousand miles before giving way.
 
Derek said:
If a stone is thrown up and lodges between the belt and one of the pulleys - BANG - instant blown engine. It may never happen but the odds are more likely on a naked bike. Sorry to be negative about this but I wouldn't take the chance myself.
A mate with an HD Sportster has twice had a final drive belt break due stones getting between the belt and the sprocket. The first time it punched a hole clean through the belt which lasted a few more thousand miles before giving way.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's more likely to get a stone in it with the prevalence for re-surfacing with tar and chippings that is widely used nowadays. Just imagine it you are riding along and there is a sign.......LOOSE CHIPPINGS 20mph......and theres cars coming the other way at 50mph :eek: spitting little stones everywhere do you carry on and ride over it or turn round? I think they are for show only bikes.
 
I seem to recall seeing "see through" perspex/glass covers. If available would that not be an option? (A bit like the Geargazer on the bevels.)
 
239desmo said:
I seem to recall seeing "see through" perspex/glass covers. If available would that not be an option? (A bit like the Geargazer on the bevels.)
Click to expand...

Just remebered that Eddie's Project Imola has sort of see through if you check his gallery. Also shouldn't be difficult to take standard covers and cut out sections and replace with perspex to your own design.
 
239desmo said:
Just remebered that Eddie's Project Imola has sort of see through if you check his gallery. Also shouldn't be difficult to take standard covers and cut out sections and replace with perspex to your own design.
Click to expand...

I'm not really a big fan of perspex windows, or attempts at making clear covers...for this it would have to be all or nothing I'm afraid. The covers on the Imola are by Rizoma, they were the first thing I bought for the 750, even before the bike had arrived! I really liked the look of them as an object in their own right, but on the bike they just looked wrong...they were too much.
 
eonan said:
I'm not really a big fan of perspex windows, or attempts at making clear covers...for this it would have to be all or nothing I'm afraid. The covers on the Imola are by Rizoma, they were the first thing I bought for the 750, even before the bike had arrived! I really liked the look of them as an object in their own right, but on the bike they just looked wrong...they were too much.
Click to expand...

maybe some nice tasty carbon ones then?
 
I have just fitted perspex to the openings in my Rizzoma covers. The original ones lasted about 2 trips before cracking up with the heat!!! I had them scanned, then lazer cut in slightly thicker heat resistant perspex.
I also remember approaching Park at Cadwell on the TT2 (no belt covers atall), slammed on the brakes and while braking, banging down the gearbox the horizontal belt jumped 1 tooth. The sound, although quiet, was blo*dy awful, but to this day I can't tell whether it was a stone or the belts just jumped (maybe too lose - unlikely). It still ran fine, pulled into the pits only to find this 1 tooth descrepancy, luckily I've experienced this before on the 500SL; amazingly on this small Pantah engine you can get away without any damage being one tooth out. The valve kisses the piston everso slightly but only enough to make an awful noise!!!! Still wouldn't recommend completely open though :eek:

Attached is my original belt covers, doctored before I could afford the Rizzoma items!!
 
Last edited:
Steve748 said:
I think they look really good, the dogs danglies no less!
Click to expand...


Which ones
A - my cut away originals
B - my Rizzoma items
C - Niall's mega cut away items???? :)
 
Last edited:
Dave G has windowed belt covers & they look great !

hes put a tiny little bit of white paint on them which looks awsome when its running as you see it flying around the pulley's

/ian
 
blimey, I'm surprised by your (plural) reactions. I only cut out and used my originals coz at the time I couldn't afford the Rizoma items. I repainted them (as they were black) and used perspex for the clear bits. I still have them - they are sat on a shelf in the garage!!
 
umm i thought it an odd responce an all i much prefer the rizoma ones

i think its cos i know there alu rather than painted plastic ~:?
 
Plastic or not, I still think they look much better, but then I really don't like those Rizomas anyway. I've seen them on so many bikes and its like, "oh, you've got a set of Rizoma belt covers". They've got absolutely nothing to do with the overall look of any bike they crawl they're way onto. Granted, they don't look AS bad on the Imola, but I still feel they're polluting what is otherwise a very beautiful bike.
 
eonan said:
Plastic or not, I still think they look much better, but then I really don't like those Rizomas anyway. I've seen them on so many bikes and its like, "oh, you've got a set of Rizoma belt covers". They've got absolutely nothing to do with the overall look of any bike they crawl they're way onto. Granted, they don't look AS bad on the Imola, but I still feel they're polluting what is otherwise a very beautiful bike.
Click to expand...


so you don't like them then? :D
 
Steve748 said:
Too common eh?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Its not that they're common, they're just too strong a design in their own right...like the majority of Rizoma's stuff. The stronger the design, the less impact it has when you see another bike with one, that's all.
 
...crawled onto a bike, polluting my beautiful bike, too common....

They are very very rare on the Black Isle - I'm the only one with 'em!!!! :p

I fitted them onto my Imola because I think they are good looking and extremely well made, they compliment my Rizoma clutch and sprocket covers. the Imola is such a rare bike that they look far more 'bespoke' than the doctored originals! As I said the latter were only supposed to be a stop-gap. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom