Considering dynamo belt conversion

[Greybeard]

As I currently have my bikes engine stripped I'm pondering converting to a belt drive for the dynamo purely to reduce engine noise. What are the pro's and con's? I'm not bothered about converting to 12v electrics so would not be changing bulbs battery and regulator, (DVR2). I understand the belt drive changes the drive ratio to speed up the dynamo; does that wear the dynamo out quicker?

[Joolstacho]

Wow, is belt drive going to make any noticeable difference to 'engine noise'?
I doubt it.

[Triton Thrasher]

Wow, is belt drive going to make any noticeable difference to 'engine noise'?
I doubt it.

No and what’s wrong with engine noise anyway!

[Greybeard]

Just thinking as I'm doing stuff that should give me a quieter engine I could eliminate dynamo chain rattle.

[Joolstacho]

If it's rattling i's either:
WORN,
MALADJUSTED (like me), or
Not enough grease in there.
Man, just pack it, rotate it, and love it!

[RogerSB]

Without considering increasing dynamo output slightly for a 12v conversion some of the benefits I can think of are:-

It’s always clean in there.
Less maintenance as it doesn’t wear so much as a chain
If it breaks it’s unlikely to do a lot of damage – unlike a chain.
If you do want to convert in the future you’re half way there.
Some say it’s quieter but it’s a long time since I’ve heard the rattle of a dynamo chain to make a comparison.

[orabanda]

More importantly, the pulley on the dynamo is smaller; the dynamo runs faster therefore will start charging at lower engine speeds (commuting, around town).
The SRM kit spins the dynamo 10% faster.

The more recent alternative (can't remember name) speeds the dynamo up 20% and has a wider (15mm) belt.

Richard

[Billybream]

Agree with Roger, for me it's one less thing to worry about so you can devote more time to the things you have do whilst keeping our old girls alive and kicking.

[muskrat]

I've got belts on both of mine. Yes it is quieter. Set and forget.
I did have trouble in the start by having them too tight. Just right is very loose compared to the chain. The downside of that is if the screw boss has had chain damage it can eat the belt.
Cheers

[RogerSB]

The more recent alternative (can't remember name) speeds the dynamo up 20% and has a wider (15mm) belt.

Richard

It's by Dynamo Regulators Ltd., who also make the well respected, well used DVR2.  Mike Hutchings is a forum member and goes by Dynamo Regulators Mike. I think his version is the best. Mine is by SRM and was on my bike when I bought it but if I had to change it it would be replaced by the one made by Dynamo Regulators.

Edit: Crikey! I'm spending all my time on here lately.

[Greybeard]

I have the DVR2, which has been trouble free so I'm inclined to go for that set.

[morris]

Have Dynamo Reg on both plunger (6v) and SA (12v). No issues. Fit and forget.

[groily]

Sorry to hear about your woes GB  . . . but good luck, sounds as if you're all over it already.

On the belt thing, I have the same kit as Morris (and DVR2 running at 12). Haven't thought about it since fitting it a couple of years back. Which means I like it!
Probably is a bit quieter but it's a long time since I had a chain on there 'cos prior to the Dyn Reg Mike kit, I had the SRM one. (Which I did manage to kill in the end.)

Does it knacker the dynamo turning it faster? Don't think so - my dyn has lasted over 10 years without major surgery, and dunno how long it had been running before I got my hands on it. That's longer than any other dynamo on other bikes hereabouts, and I think is pretty darn good. (Mind you, I'm not doing Musky Revs!) It'll now fail, natch.

One point worth bearing in mind: You might find you have to ease off a little bit of alloy on the inner timing case 'compartment wall' to get pulley clearance: some castings are a bit fatter than others. I had to shave a bit off when fitting the first kit, to get the drive pulley on with adequate clearance and I believe some other people have had to do the same. But only talking a gnat's cock's worth and a dremel. (So, yes, an insect was seriously mutilated in the course of doing the mod, so I apologise to any outraged #metoo entomologists.)

But I guess the key Q is - Is it actually worth it for a 6v system, which will be quite fine as it was designed??

[morris]

One point worth bearing in mind: You might find you have to ease off a little bit of alloy on the inner timing case 'compartment wall' to get pulley clearance: some castings are a bit fatter than others. I had to shave a bit off when fitting the first kit, to get the drive pulley on with adequate clearance and I believe some other people have had to do the same. But only talking a gnat's cock's worth and a dremel. (So, yes, an insect was seriously mutilated in the course of doing the mod, so I apologise to any outraged #metoo entomologists.)

Right, forgot about that. The plunger needed a shave but the SA didn’t so there seems to be some variety in the cases.

[Greybeard]

Thanks, chaps; some great advice.