PRICE IS USD
A high quality belt drive conversion kit for the Royal Enfield Interceptor and Continental 650 Twins, consisting of a Gates Poly Chain Carbon GT belt, with both front and rear pullies.
Fits the 650 Interceptor, and 650 Continental GT models - the Super Meteor / Shotgun 650 is a different model
Zero maintenance belt drives have been readily available on production motorcycles since 1981. Quiet, smooth, no more adjustment issues, no more oily mess, no carrying chain lube on a trip, lighter, and lower long term cost due to extended belt and pulley life when compared to a chain drive.
We are motorcyclists too, and recognise that there is a need for a choice in gear ratio. Two gear ratios are available - the stock 2.5:1 final drive ratio and the more popular "16T" front sprocket mod resulting in a higher 2.375:1
To a large extent, the choice of ratios is a personal preference, driven by ones riding style and local conditions. For example, I prefer the higher ratio "16T mod" in order to keep the engine RPM a little lower at highway speeds, and to be able to keep up with my mates without flogging the engine to death. Others prefer the shorter stock gearing - horses for courses
We are currently testing a "17T mod" at 2.2:1 for those that do a lot of higher speed highway riding, live in the prairies or desert with long flat roads, or have the extra torque of an 865 kit to pull the higher gearing.
The belt is the latest Generation 4, Gates Poly Chain Carbon GT, and included in the kit. Should you ever need a spare belt, rather than a special OEM only belt, we use a common Gates part, used in thousands of industrial applications and readily available from Gates Dealers worldwide
Rather than a cheap steel casting, the lightweight rear pulley is a work of art that you will be proud to have on your bike, as it is CNC machined from a solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminium, and then Type III hard anodized in satin black. This results in a durable wear coating with a hardness in the mid 50s Rockwell C, and in the same range as high tensile steel.
The front pulley is CNC machined from a billet of high tensile steel and durability on the spline drive. Finished by black zinc plating for tooth wear, corrosion resistance, and asthetics.
Weight is 450 g less than the stock chain drive
Interceptor & Continental 650 belt drive conversion kit
Gearing is a bit confusing with a larger number being "lower" geared – IE the -Inter / Conti stock sprocket ratio at 2.53:1 is lower than the "16T front sprocket mod" at 2.375:1
A lower gear ratio (2.53) will accelerate quicker, but top speed will be lower. At highway speeds the engine will be spinning at a higher speed, and depending how fast you are riding, you may not want to work the engine that hard for very long.
A higher gear ratio (2.375) will accelerate slower, but (theoretical) top speed will be higher IF you have the HP to pull the gearing. Top speed on these bikes is usually not a consideration, however and some riders, myself included, would prefer lower engine speed on the highway. When higher geared, cruising speed rpm will be lower, and in the meat of the TQ band.
Carrol Shelby famously said “horsepower sells cars, and torque wins races”. RE Street riding is mainly in the engine torque band, I try to match gearing to my riding style. Having a cruising rpm in 6th in the meat of the torque band, and not flogging the engine to death, works best for me.
The Enfield 650 engine has modest torque and horsepower, so gearing becomes a compromise between acceptable performance, the ability to pull a higher gear, with ones tolerance for wringing its neck to keep up with motorway speeds in some countries.
So how does this math translate into seat of the pants riding?Speed in KPH (MPH) vs engine RPM in each ratio:
Speed Stock gearing "16T" Higher gearing
100 (62) 4140 3890
110 (68) 4560 4280
120 (74.5) 4890 4670
124 (77) 5150 TQ peak130 (81) 5400 5050
132 (82) 5150 TQ peak140 (87) 5910 5450
RPM is calculated and does not account for the bike weight, rider weight, rolling resistance, or drag from panniers and a windscreen - measured rpm will be higher than this calculated engine speed.
You have a choice of gearing when buying a belt drive, so give it some thought………………….Most riders prefer the higher ratio, as little sacrifice in acceleration, with the benefit of lower engine speed.