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Hello , can anyone advise me as to the type of belt to use and how tight or loose they should be ? my '12 (model 4B , 30.50 inch single) uses a flat 1-3/4 inch wide belt but I've got through 3 of them in 1000 miles (breakages) . What do others use ??? thanks , Ken
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I signed on today to ask the same question! I'm looking for some 2-ply leather belting for my 1916 Miami. I tried Atlanta belting and they discontinued ALL leather belts. All they have left is 90 feet of 1 inch. Where does people get their belting? I really don't want to use any kind of synthetic if I can get leather. I would even be interested in good used leather. Thanks for any help.
Ken, I have a single ply belt on mine now and have never broke it, although it stretchs and I have to shorten it every so often. Where is it breaking at? At the linkage?
Louie -
Hello Louie , I am waiting for a reply from belt supplyer of continuous chrome leather belt , is your single ply belt a leather one ? and why do you not like synthetic ? have you much experience with flat belt drive ? What type of linkage do you use ?
The belt my Excelsior came with was a rubberised corded belt with an ''alligator'' joining link , this eventually pulled out of the belting and left me stranded , next I made massive mistake on a leather / kevlar sandwiched continuous belt and ended up having to cut it and make two joins , this lasted a few hundred miles but broke on the join I made (by heat melting the kevlar and also riveting) the one on there now is a synthetic but the alligator link is pulling apart . I am interested in what others use on their flat belt drives ? Also how tight or loose do they have to be .
ThanksComment
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I'm not an expert on belt drives, the Miami is the only one I have. But the belt on it now is single ply leather and I use the hammer in alligater link. It has never pulled apart though, the leather holds it well. I have nothing against synthetic, I have not tried any. I just prefer the look of leather if I can find what I need. I know a couple of the venders sell the belts for Harley's for a pretty penny, but I prefer to buy and fit it myself. My current belt was an old farm belt that was 5" X 25' when I got it and I cut it down to fit. It looks great but the single ply stretches way too much. When I fit it, I is as tight as I can get it and still slit around the front pulley.
Hopefully we'll hear from some real experts....
What is "chrome leather" ?
LouieComment
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Chrome-tanned leather, invented in 1858, is tanned using chromium sulfate and other salts of chromium. It is more supple and pliable than vegetable-tanned leather, and does not discolor or lose shape as drastically in water as vegetable-tanned. Less prone to decay and offers more resistance against abrasion and stretch .
I agree the leather look is far better , I obtained the above from the internet but basically it is the best process for finishing leather for our use !! What thickness is the belt on your Miami ? Hope we get someone answering who knows his stuff (or hers)
ThanksComment
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If you guys can give me some specific info, I might be able to make what you need---Worsham Castle Cycle LeatherComment
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Ken, my belt is 1/4".
Paq, do you have two ply leather? I would be interested in an 8' X 1 1/4"piece. Thanks. I'm going to the Blue Ridge MC Campgroud tomorrow thru Sunday, are you anywhere close by?
LouieComment
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Belting
Thanks Louie , and thanks Paquette for the offer but as I'm over the pond , I'll keep looking over here , I have a contact for a leather belt but am not sure yet if it's two ply or single thickness , I'll let you know when I find out , hope you have a good weekend , Ken
My belt dimentions are 1-3/4 inch wide x 99 inches .Comment
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I'm not sure what you guys mean by "2 ply". Is that 2 pieces of leather glued or laminated together?Comment
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Yes, I'm not sure if it is glue or what but two ply keeps it from stretching so much.
LouieComment
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That's interesting about the two ply Louie , do you know what glue is used ? and is the two ply still 1/4 inch ?? like the single thickness you have at the mo ? thanks , KenComment
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I would think that back in the day, a hide glue would have been used. I use contact cement ( several coats) and I could make a belt any thickness and length that way. Is there anything else that holds the ends together? (of course with 2 plys I could just make the ends overlap. I would be willing to experiment with this if it would help you guys out!!! Ken, I ship across the "Big Pond" all the time!!! You can always contact me --- jester@worshamcastle.comComment
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belting
Hi Paquette , thanks for your help , I will keep your offer in mind with thanks but am going to some fairs in the next few weeks where I may get good second hand weathered ones from ?? I know with todays post etc it's just as easy to buy from anywhere but the bl---y customs want their share and what ''they'' think is right for them not us but if You'd like to give me some idea of price including delivery then I require a 2 ply 1-3/4 inch wide by 99 inches in a suitable leather (chrome leather) that will not streatch , if that is possible ?? by about 1/4 thick , it has to go round a pully that is about 5 inches in diameter . Cheers , KenComment
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Re: belting
PS that's for a continuous belt , KenOriginally posted by Ken Lee
Hi Paquette , thanks for your help , I will keep your offer in mind with thanks but am going to some fairs in the next few weeks where I may get good second hand weathered ones from ?? I know with todays post etc it's just as easy to buy from anywhere but the bl---y customs want their share and what ''they'' think is right for them not us but if You'd like to give me some idea of price including delivery then I require a 2 ply 1-3/4 inch wide by 99 inches in a suitable leather (chrome leather) that will not streatch , if that is possible ?? by about 1/4 thick , it has to go round a pully that is about 5 inches in diameter . Cheers , KenComment
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ken--I am a fan of English rugby as I played here in the states back in the 70's, and often buy and sell items both ways and have never had any problems with tarriffs --"I am just returning a belt that did not fit", if you get my drift. But there has to be something that connects the ends together, I am sure that just glue will not hold up---Louie, can we get together and let me SEE what it is that I am trying to reproduce?----PAQComment
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