Belt Drive for Meteor? I Sure Hope So!

[ErikdeBrabander]

I received a reply from Mtechnics:
"...Our website is made under sale in Indian marketplace with tax laws.For international orders we use paypal.I will share an invoice through PayPal."

Just request an Paypal invoice to your e-mail adress on their whatsapp number. This went pretty straightforward.
You will receive an invoice of the kit+S&H. I was suprised this is 500USD/ 482Euro

Now this isn't cheap and gave it some thoughts but for me, owning a Moto Guzzi with shaft drive, a chain is far from desired and a main reason to even consider to purshase a classic350. The advantages of no noise, no grease and no strong cleaning solvents is simply a no brainer for me.
Please do realise the sprockets are likely to be machined from solid materials which tends to be quite expensive.

I was one of the first converting my bicylce to Gates belt before it went in mass production ,and I love it!

 

[Lakeview Lad]

I received a reply from Mtechnics:
"...Our website is made under sale in Indian marketplace with tax laws.For international orders we use paypal.I will share an invoice through PayPal."

Just request an Paypal invoice to your e-mail adress on their whatsapp number. This went pretty straightforward.
You will receive an invoice of the kit+S&H. I was suprised this is 500USD/ 482Euro

Now this isn't cheap and gave it some thoughts but for me, owning a Moto Guzzi with shaft drive, a chain is far from desired and a main reason to even consider to purshase a classic350. The advantages of no noise, no grease and no strong cleaning solvents is simply a no brainer for me.
Please do realise the sprockets are likely to be machined from solid materials which tends to be quite expensive.

I was one of the first converting my bicylce to Gates belt before it went in mass production ,and I love it!

I paid $440 total , unit price plus shipping and handling, for the belt drive conversion kit to be delivered to the Space Coast of Florida. The installation was a little out of my comfort zone, so I had a local motorcycle shop install it for me. They charged me for 4 hours of labor, which seems about right after watching several videos on YouTube. The bill for the installation was $360, so, $800 all together. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!

 

[ErikdeBrabander]

I am aware price labeling is different in Europe and America. We in west Europe are far out of tune by bidding . We just surf around and source the cheapest wherever available but this item is quite unique. OTOH like this it isn't very likely I'll become a regular costumer. His bad...

I do have a small bike lift and some dremel tools at home but at work would be much easier but the time frame will be super tight for an evening mod.
Should be doable for me

 

[ErikdeBrabander]

Installed the belt!
The testdrive was very suprising! I do feel how the belt eliminated the free play of the secondary transmission (chain) It does feel like the rear wheel has become a flywheel to the engine and it pics up very smooth but the throttle open/close is where it is very noticeable the free play on the chain is gone. I can hear it on the exhaust sound as well where the sound is smoother shifting back to first gear. However, after one minute I returned to the Royal Enfield shop and asked if the mechanic/owner himself had driven on a J350 with belt. He did not and I let him make a testdrive too. when he came back he said:"now it is even more fun to ride this bike!" and he smiled! This new engine does feel broken in now already with only 700km on it. The difference is very big in a good way! Seems like the vibrations in the mirrors are reduced as well (and they did a great job!)

Having a Guzzi Griso as well I think the feeling is quite similar like a drive shaft it's a good step in the comfort zone.

 

[Stephan]

Hello,
How was the installation? Most adjusting the tension. How did you proceed for that point?
I’m seriously considering the belt. Love the spoke wheels but cleaning the rear with a chain is a never ending story.
+ all what the belt give in smoothness and low maintenance.

 

[ErikdeBrabander]

Hi Stephan,
Because Ido not have a big morotcycle lift, my local dealer installed it, It was to low for my liking and with a good lift it is very easy and cheap to outsource.
After 300km I readjusted the belt. Free play was over 3cm and I reduced this to 2cm. However it needs to be aligned as well, running the belt in centre of the rear sprocket.
This is critical and time consuming. I rotated the adjustmend bolt only 90degrees at the time until the belt moved in centre. Made a testdrive and accelerrated full throttle and it was fine.

Conventional sprockets have chamfered teeth which is less critical. A belt has no chamfer.
After 1500km the belt is still perfect in line and I only needed 3 pieces of paper kitchen towel to clean the rear rim and spokes.
I'm very pleased with this belt and I only think it needs complete re adjustment when the wheel needs to me removed. When the belt needs to be tightened I assume both left and right adjustment bolts need to be turned identical.

Please do keep in mind this product has no CE approval, similar like many Hitchcock parts: disclaimer blablablabla....For this reason I cannot recommend this item but I am very pleased with it.
Mtechnics are participating in Motoverse 2024 event conducted by Royal enfield. More info may be displayed at their website.

kr, Erik

 

[Stephan]

Why a lift? Our Classic has a center stand, enough to remove rear wheel, left rear shock.

Meteor and Classic, same ratio?

Hitchock doesn’t sell the kit but Best for Britt yes.

Thanks for the infos.

 

[Tommy W]

I also bought the Mmtechnics belt set for my 350 Classic. A very easy and fast service from them, I ordered and paid the set on monday and got it home on thursday of the same week. Four days from India to Finland!
I installed the set myself. Initially I had set the belt slightly too tight, now it is at 20mm of movement. Same experience as ErikdeBrabander had, very direct feeling between the engine and rear wheel. Feels good, made a nice bike even nicer. I've driven now 700km. If the belt on RE lasts nearly as well as the belt in my Harley does, there should be a lot of driving to be had with it.
Tommy

 

[Stephan]

Thanks for sharing, I’m on the go too.
What was the price direct from Mmtechnics? Best for Britt sell the kit in Europe.

 

[Tommy W]

Thanks for sharing, I’m on the go too.
What was the price direct from Mmtechnics? Best for Britt sell the kit in Europe.

If I remember correctly it cost 390 dollars which is about 355 euros. That included postage. Of course I had to pay customs, that amounted to 103 euros. Total was around 458 euros.

At Best for Brits it costs 419€, I assume postage is not included in that price. If not the price is quite near. You might ask them for a postage quote.

Buying from Italy to another EU-country would be the easiest way, although the customs here work rather well (they have a very easy site to use). But: IF you have to pay VAT in Switzerland for the packet (be it from Italy or India), it would make sense to get it directly through Mtechnics. Ask them, they responded really well when contacted by Whatsapp.

Tommy

 

[ErikdeBrabander]

Keep in mind UK is not part of Europe any more. You need to pay custom fees and without CE it is not legal in Europe after Brexit...
Some countries are very restricted in modding bikes.

 

[Stephan]

Best fo Britt is in Italy?
That will be the best. A coworker lives in Italy, I could make the delivery by her. No taxes, no fees.

 

[Tommy W]

Best fo Britt is in Italy?
That will be the best. A coworker lives in Italy, I could make the delivery by her. No taxes, no fees.

Yes, Best for Britts is in Parma, Italy.
Haven’t ordered anything from them yet, will try sometimes.

”Free shipping for orders over 300 EURO AT-BE-DE-DK-FR-LU-NL”, for belt set buyers from mentioned countries a good one.

Tommy