shaft drive to chain conversion

[zuesdawg]

Has anyone every attempted it? I am currently gonna build a frame for my 82650gl and really want to get rid of that shaft.

Anyone know how to get the gear off the shaft?

Any and all help is highly appeciated !!!!

[jimcor]

No, nobody's done it. You don't want to be the first. Much less expensive to buy a new chain drive engine or a different bike.

[zuesdawg]

well I guess I'll stumble through it and BE the first

Im more of a gearhead than a rider anyway. . . .thanks for the advice

Everything starts somewhere

[jimcor]

Better take a real close look at that engine, gearbox and shaft assembly. They're designed as a unit. You won't be just popping off the shaft and plugging in a couple of sprockets.

If you do a search you'll see you're not the first to ask this question. A lot of the 'Shafties Rule Crowd' have explained in depth why this can't be done.

Good Luck!

[Hoomgar]

Dood, it is a total wash. Of all the mods to do to one of these bikes this one is the biggest waist of time. You can't actually do it. It is not possible. Your going to replace major parts... Transmission, swingarm, etc... at which point you didn't really do it because it isn't the same bike anymore.

It's easier to just sell it and get the same bike with a chain. You wont have any trouble doing that because the shaft drives are in higher demand among this crowd it seems and are worth more money so you should fair well.

I assure you, there are better mods to be thinking about. If you want a chain bike, buy a chain bike. Seriously.

Now, I dare you to prove me wrong, come on, you'll be the frst person to do it! Turn this thread into a shaft to chain mod thread and show us how it's done man

I mean that. It would be cool to see it happen.

The challenge is to do it without changing the engine or tranny out

[zuesdawg]

Thanks Jim...Ill keep ya posted what route I end up taking. Weighing all the options at this moment.

[Anonymous]

find some other, more constructive, way to use your time.

[gspaul]

You could alway's get a 650E motor,It's a chain drive!

[duaneage]

I would walk on hot coals before I would replace my shaft drive with a chain drive.

I would rather watch a barbara streisand movie than go back to chains.

[gspaul]

Sound's like your 50/50 on this subject duaneage!

[Hap Call]

If I'm not mistaken, most of the work has been done for you. The GS650 came in both chain and shaft. BUT.....and this is a big but...they also came in two different main bearing versions - plain and roller. It can be done but you need to do A LOT of footwork before you jump into it. The more research you do, the better off you will be. I would start with comparing part numbers between the various GS650 engines...

Hap

[duaneage]

The two have different cases. The shaft even has a different oil pump, it actually generates real oil pressure levels. I don't believe the mains were different, both had babbit bearingssince only the big blocks were roller type. Perhaps Earlfor could weigh in on the historical facts.

[sagent]

Another risk is being stoned for blasphemy by the shaftie crowd around here. that could hold the project up a little bit

[jimcor]

The 8 valve 550 is a roller bearing engine. The TSCC 16 valve 550 is a plain bearing motor.

[bwringer]

If you have those kind of crazy machining skills just dying to be used, I'm sure we can think of ways to put them to better use.

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