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switching to a disc rear brake?/chain drive?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by caliXJ_Bobber, Apr 2, 2016.

  1. caliXJ_Bobber

    caliXJ_Bobber Member

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    Has anyone done it? How big of a job is it?

    Also, is there any kits that would allow me to switch to chain drive?
     
    caliXJ_Bobber, Apr 2, 2016
    #1
  2. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Get a 550
     
    hogfiddles, Apr 2, 2016
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  3. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    yup you are a shafty and will stay so unless you have a bucket of money and a machine shop in your basement.
     
    XJ550H, Apr 2, 2016
    #3
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    And no wife, or other hobbies.
     
    k-moe, Apr 2, 2016
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  5. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    my question is "WHY?"
     
    tabaka45, Apr 2, 2016
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  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Why? answer chains are cheaper to replace that a u joint
    better question is "Why not":rolleyes:
     
    XJ550H, Apr 2, 2016
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  7. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    rear disc brake may be as simple as a rear rim change from xj 1100 with rear disc
    from another post about dual disc conversion
    Chacal said
    XJ1100 m/c is a small bore, designed for a single caliper (the front m/c on the XJ1100 models only operates the left front caliper, the right front caliper and the rear disc caliper are operated by the foot pedal). ...........
     
    XJ550H, Apr 2, 2016
    #7
    caliXJ_Bobber likes this.
  8. caliXJ_Bobber

    caliXJ_Bobber Member

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    I personally just think chains look more traditional and "proper" than shaft drive... But that's just me. If the cost is too astronomical, I will probably just stay shaft driven...
     
    caliXJ_Bobber, Apr 2, 2016
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  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    xj 1100 rear tyre
    Rear Tyre
    130/90-16

    650 maxim
    Rear Tyre
    130/90 H16

    650 seca
    Rear Tyre
    120/90-18
    cali please put your bike in signiture line y ou do that in the profile
     
    XJ550H, Apr 2, 2016
    #9
  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Traditional and proper. 1923 BMW R32:
    [​IMG]
    Notice the drive chain? Me either.
    BMW didn't make a chain driven motorcycle until 1994.

    If your prefrence is chain driven motorcycles so be it. Nothing wrong with that at all, I've had several. Changing from one to another is a ton of work. You would be far better off by buying a chain drive machine if you want a chain drive machine. Give the shaft drive a chance first though. You might come to like the ease of maintenance and lack of chain lube on your wheel.

    Now, if you're up for being challenged and making a chain drive conversion it can be done. The factory racing team did conversions for the XS1100 (it has a bolt-on middle drive though, so that was a comparitively easy job), and for the XJ750. A few small firms also did a very few chain conversions for private racing teams.
    One member is currently working on a chain conversion.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2016
    k-moe, Apr 2, 2016
    #10
    Stumplifter, caliXJ_Bobber and XJ550H like this.
  11. caliXJ_Bobber

    caliXJ_Bobber Member

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    converting to a chain drive is very low on the priority list... it will be the last thing i consider now... and may just stick with shaft after all...
     
    caliXJ_Bobber, Apr 2, 2016
    #11
  12. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    The question was about changing from shaft to chain, not drum to disc.

    The issue is not just a sprocket on the back-- the issue is also the shaft drive output is not the same output direction as a a chain...
     
    hogfiddles, Apr 2, 2016
    #12
  13. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The question was about doing both.
     
    k-moe, Apr 2, 2016
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  14. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I missed that..... Guess that was just in the heading---- my bad, carry on
     
    hogfiddles, Apr 2, 2016
    #14
  15. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    It's best that I don't. I keep thinking of the most convoluted method for converting to chain drive. So far I have considered half-a-dozen add-on 90º gearbox ideas, and mounting the engine longitudinally in the frame and using a jackshaft. This is not a serious consideration; just something that my mind tends to do when faced with a problem and given an excess of free time.
     
    k-moe, Apr 2, 2016
    #15
  16. DrewUth

    DrewUth Active Member

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    Can we come back to this real quick? I would be very interested in making this swap on my '82 Seca...is there a thread about it?
     
    DrewUth, Apr 5, 2016
    #16
    caliXJ_Bobber likes this.

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