2002 VZ800 Chain to Belt conversion How to

Alrighty... first off  Currently there is only one place that I've been able to find that Manufactures these kits...(Scootworks.com).  There are a lot of negative reviews about them specially within the last year (2013) so it's basically buyer beware... There is another site that sells scootworks products that is more reputable and will not complete the sale if they don't have the product in stock.. Hellrisercustoms.com.  I would recommend going through them if possible.

Scootworks.com Belt kits ($579.99)    LINKY

Hellrisercustoms.com Vendor ($569.95)  LINKY


I chose to go through Scootworks and purchased a refurbished one for half the cost ($397.75 USD shipping included)...it's the
Suzuki Marauder VZ800 2nd Generation WideDrive w/chrome rear pulley


SPECS: For Wide Drive belt (Mine)
highway RPM's with the 2.22:1 final drive ratio. This drive ratio has been tested extensively and works great at all speeds. The Marauder engine has plenty of torque to handle this drive ratio throughout the power bands. RPM's with our drive ratio is ~2750 @ 60 mph. RPM's with original sprocket combination is ~3800 @ 60 mph.
(Note:  I have spoken to others that have done this mod in the USA and it's confirmed)


Currently in the new department this is what's being offered:

MARAUDER VZ800 MONDODRIVE-14 BELT DRIVE SYSTEM

Brute force belt drive conversion!

[*]Fits ALL VZ800 Models

[*]LOW belt tension makes for easier setup!

[*]Slip-free drive system!

[*]LONG LONG LONG belt life.

[*]2.20:1 ratio, similar to 18/40



So this is the start of it... when the snow melts down a bit here I'll be wheeling the bike indoors and begin the conversion... Pics and write up will follow..

Canadian Cruiser wrote:

So this is the start of it... when the snow melts down a bit here I'll be wheeling the bike indoors and begin the conversion... Pics and write up will follow..

It looks like you'll be sleeping on the sofa again when the snow melts  

True lol...

Excellent write up and a real inspiration.   
Looks like the gearing change is similar to the later shaft models with drive conversions. So there is no absolutely doubt that the engines are more than happy with the gear change made. This is a modification change that is massively advantageous in numerous ways.
     

looks like a good move for VZ riders to do Dave!

I was chatting to Doc Cox about this very modification earlier and it really is a no brainer for anyone with the chain drive model 800. The stock gearing is OK but could be so much better and this modification fixes that. Lower maintenance needed with this mod, well basically reduced to zero in comparison to the original chain drive. I would describe this modification as simply the best one, bar non that can be done to this model.

That looks like a great idea for the bike, will be great to see how it goes and your findings. Well impressed  

Lower maintenance was a help in deciding factor.. Other one is the high RPM's.... when your kicking it at about 80+ mph and it's buzzing like a like a hornets nest on speed.. that just can't be good for the engine.. not to mention your "Personal Luggage" that's starts to itch from the vibes.. 

I am watching the progress of this with interest,, I contemplated this mod with my VZ800 a couple of years ago but availability of parts was a problem, it was really hard to source them, my uncle and a friend down in Somerset had the belt drive fitted but my uncle in particular wasn't impressed and when I rode his bike I felt the chain drive with a 16 tooth front sprocket was better, the belt just felt to me to be over geared. the big problem came when the belts broke, my uncles stripped teeth of the belt at 5500 miles and my friend picked up a stone at 7000 which damaged the belt,, both had really hard times trying to get replacement belts from scootworks, they kept on promising but nothing materialized, my uncle changed back to a chain 1 hour after the belt broke and never changed back, my friend did the same 3 days later otherwise both of them woul have been without a ride for some time,, if I remember correctly the problem was the belt itself, because of its size nobody made a belt that was suitable e.g. Harley belts were no good you had to use their belts and because of its size it was expensive to make and the manufacturing runs were few and far between, and I recall reading of people in USA and Australia having the same problem.
With this being a second generation system the previous problem may have been solved, I hope they have so will follow with interest.
Good luck CanadianCruiser I`m jealous of you, I really like the VZ800

Yeah scootworks can be a PITA when it comes to replacements... but there have been some progress with new belts... Members in the US that have done this conversion have fount alternate places to get belts... Hellrisercustoms.com or any places that sells

Goodyear 1800-8M-BH-35, Blackhawk Pd® 8M Synchronous Belts

such as this site LINKY

Good conversion CC, about 30 years ago I had a Harley Sturgis with the belt drive and never had any problems with it, it was the same belt when I sold it about 10 years ago, hope all goes well, regards Doc Cox.

So how do belt drives compare with shaft and chain? I've got a belt on the VN and to change the gearing significantly, a pulley swap is relatively easy apparently. Don't fancy a belt snapping though!

From what I've been reading and from feedback from friends in the US, the belt is nicer for highway traveling... Off the start there isn't much powerloss... I haven't done the conversion yet (still waiting for kit to arrive..)

Bluesman wrote:

So how do belt drives compare with shaft and chain? I've got a belt on the VN and to change the gearing significantly, a pulley swap is relatively easy apparently. Don't fancy a belt snapping though!

You will always be able to find examples of people that have had a belt snap the same as chains but I don't think it is a common event by any stretch of the imagination. I would certainly be in more fear of a chain breaking loose than I would a belt.

Link to most recent other post on this matter from CanadianCruiser = ( LINK )

Here is another topic I've started "Yay or Nay" with the results of now having the belt on the bike..LINKY