Open belts
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- byrd900sp
- Brass Member
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 4:11 pm
- Location: Reno, Nevada USA
Open belts
I know it's probably a bad idea, but I'm curious if anyone here has ever run their GL motor with open, or windowed, belt covers like a Ducati?
I run open belts on my Ducati, even though I once had a tree branch come up from the road and make a belt skip. Lucky there was no damage, but I was riding through a major wind storm on a mountain pass when it happened, so I guess I didn't really learn my lesson.
Now I just try not to ride during windstorms
I run open belts on my Ducati, even though I once had a tree branch come up from the road and make a belt skip. Lucky there was no damage, but I was riding through a major wind storm on a mountain pass when it happened, so I guess I didn't really learn my lesson.
Now I just try not to ride during windstorms
My current bikes
2008 KTM 530 EXC-R
1998 Honda GL1500C
1997 Ducati 900SS SP
1996 Honda XR650L
1993 KTM 250SX
1984 Honda XR500R
1980 Honda GL1100 Standard
1975 Honda GL1000 Scrambler
2008 KTM 530 EXC-R
1998 Honda GL1500C
1997 Ducati 900SS SP
1996 Honda XR650L
1993 KTM 250SX
1984 Honda XR500R
1980 Honda GL1100 Standard
1975 Honda GL1000 Scrambler
- robin1731
- Membership Admin
- Posts: 21724
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: Open belts
Scroll down a little. First thread talks about open belts.
There are some here that have done it.
There are some here that have done it.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- ericheath
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 9580
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
- Location: Winnipeg, Manituba
Re: Open belts
I worry more about grandkids or toddlers or the neighbors cat. It has its other risks. I’m running mine open right now and have done it off and on for years. I don’t find it visually appealing.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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- Silver Member
- Posts: 569
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:00 pm
- Location: Canton, Ohio
Re: Open belts
A Duc's belts are on the side of the engine and have some basic guards so it's pretty safe from road debris. With the belts on the GL facing forward, they're pretty exposed to road debris, even with windowed guards. If you do mostly urban riding it will probably be OK, but if you ever ride in areas with gravel and such you might have a bad day eventually.
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- Chrome Member
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- Location: Hilton Head Island, SC, USA
Re: Open belts
Agree with the wiser ones on this thread; I'd be second guessing myself for safety's sake. But I love the look, especially on a few bobbers I've seen on the web like this one:
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- 1983-honda-goldwing-gl1100-cafe-racer-bobber-for-sale-2016-05-05-4-1024x768.jpg (109.18 KiB) Viewed 599 times
1982 GL1100 Cafe - Born Naked
2020 October BOM
2020 October BOM
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- Titanium Member
- Posts: 369
- Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:30 pm
- Location: South Carolina
Re: Open belts
I worry that a meteorite doesn't hit me i the head...
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- 20191123_084123.jpg (125.16 KiB) Viewed 566 times
1977 Gl 1000
1976 F1 750 SS
1973 Ironhead chopper
2007 Road King
1974 dohc 450 chopper project
1976 Gl 1000 parts bike
600rr parts bike
1976 F1 750 SS
1973 Ironhead chopper
2007 Road King
1974 dohc 450 chopper project
1976 Gl 1000 parts bike
600rr parts bike
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
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- Location: Metro Detroit
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Re: Open belts
I do like that solution, much less risk of the belt jumping a tooth.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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- Tin Member
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:47 pm
Re: Open belts
I ran open belts on my 75 all last season. No issues, but I only rode in nice weather. I figure the radiator guard would stop most of the rode debris. I will try and post a picture later.
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- Screenshot_20200127-121502_Photos.jpg (72.7 KiB) Viewed 423 times
Last edited by 75wingowner on Mon Jan 27, 2020 1:15 pm, edited 8 times in total.
- CYBORG
- Moderator
- Posts: 24536
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
- Location: Muskegon mich
Re: Open belts
I like the steam punk look. But I think it is better enjoyed in the living room, while you sit on the couch with a cold brew, and a good biker movie. Anyone who does 15 or 20 thousand miles a year would eventually find them selves along side the road, hundreds of miles from home, in the rain, and wind,.....wishing they were sitting on the couch at home. Just my opinion.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- BikeMaine
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1105
- Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2016 7:57 pm
- Location: Maine, U.S.A.
Re: Open belts
You could make some see-through covers from plexy-glass or Lucite....
Kevin
1982 GL1100A
1982 GL1100A
- Fred Camper
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Re: Open belts
This is an easier situation to keep clean.
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- 20191123_084123.jpg (125.16 KiB) Viewed 391 times
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
- 230Rocket
- Billet Alum. Member
- Posts: 265
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2015 9:49 am
- Location: McKinney, Texas
Re: Open belts
Anybody ever painted a snail whirl on their cam wheels with these open belts like the one on the nose of the jet turbines?
1982 GL1100 Fat Turtle
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
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- Location: Metro Detroit
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Re: Open belts
Your turn to try that.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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