Belt Drives

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
I just bought a K9 with 4” Karata. Gotta say I love everything about it so far. Sound is cool, shifts and finds neutral like butter.
I was warned about stones breaking belts, the belt chewing up my pants leg or even nipping off a finger, but it seems none of them have ridden with a Karata, and I stopped wearing bell bottoms in 1976.
I have a lot to learn about this belt drive—periodic cleaning, any other scheduled maintenance and of course what it takes to change one in case of emergency.
Blacktopper and I abandoned our Sturgis run because I hit a car in Kansas City. My bad.
Tomorrow we leave for Sturgis on a run I’ll call Sturgis Redux. Stay tuned for a post on that and more info on how this Karata stands up to touring.
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Mr. Wright

Knows some things
I had a big rock get in mine. Put a hole in the belt, big enough to put my finger through it.
Surprisingly, it didn't hurt the pulley.
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MossBerg590

Active Member
I just bought a K9 with 4” Karata. Gotta say I love everything about it so far. Sound is cool, shifts and finds neutral like butter.
I was warned about stones breaking belts, the belt chewing up my pants leg or even nipping off a finger, but it seems none of them have ridden with a Karata, and I stopped wearing bell bottoms in 1976.
I have a lot to learn about this belt drive—periodic cleaning, any other scheduled maintenance and of course what it takes to change one in case of emergency.
Blacktopper and I abandoned our Sturgis run because I hit a car in Ksnsas City. My bad.
Tomorrow we leave for Sturgis on a run I’ll call Sturgis Redux. Stay tuned for a post on that and more info on how this Karata stands up to touring.
View attachment 59987
Looks badass in my opinion
 

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
I live on a gravel country road too. The little rocks aren't really a problem. That big rock was a fluke thing. We were pulling off the side of the road and it popped out from under another guy's tire, and shot straight in there. I rode it probably 100 miles like that, and it didn't fray anymore than that.
 
I just bought a K9 with 4” Karata. Gotta say I love everything about it so far. Sound is cool, shifts and finds neutral like butter.
I was warned about stones breaking belts, the belt chewing up my pants leg or even nipping off a finger, but it seems none of them have ridden with a Karata, and I stopped wearing bell bottoms in 1976.
I have a lot to learn about this belt drive—periodic cleaning, any other scheduled maintenance and of course what it takes to change one in case of emergency.
Blacktopper and I abandoned our Sturgis run because I hit a car in Kansas City. My bad.
Tomorrow we leave for Sturgis on a run I’ll call Sturgis Redux. Stay tuned for a post on that and more info on how this Karata stands up to touring.
View attachment 59987
Love that obs, not sure if they advertise them on their website. I wonder if the spike coming off the bottom would drag in a hard left turn ?



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SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
Thanks for the remarks...Paul, you actually got me a little nervous there, so I went out to the garage and took a look at that lower spike. I just squared a board under the frame rails, and the point of the spike itself is 1 3/4" above the frame level. there is significant offset because of the 300 back tire and the 4" belt.
We'll see if that down spike looks the same when we gat back!! Might be a nubbin...haha.
 

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
Thanks for the remarks...Paul, you actually got me a little nervous there, so I went out to the garage and took a look at that lower spike. I just squared a board under the frame rails, and the point of the spike itself is 1 3/4" above the frame level. there is significant offset because of the 300 back tire and the 4" belt.
We'll see if that down spike looks the same when we gat back!! Might be a nubbin...haha.
Rick, I have the same OBS on my mastiff, my front peg will hit the ground first, don't think you have much to worry about. Beautiful bike by the way, you got one hell of a deal...:old2:
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Big Dog Balls

NAOLO- BALLS (BIG DOG BALLS)
Seeing as too how Jim@ Karata doesnt return messages nor reply to comments on the post.... Baker it is!!
But damn, the whopping $2925 before shipping is gonna hurt my beer account for a minute.
Grumble grumble grumble
Now to get with Curtis and see if he has a set up for an 02 pitbull

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Seeing as too how Jim@ Karata doesnt return messages nor reply to comments on the post.... Baker it is!!
But damn, the whopping $2925 before shipping is gonna hurt my beer account for a minute.
Grumble grumble grumble
Now to get with Curtis and see if he has a set up for an 02 pitbull

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Recommend going with a 2.5” on the pitbull. The 4” on mine looked like a treadmill.
 
Baker is just way too proud of thier drives for "banker" sensibility.

I' ve been told Ultima is shit.

BDL is good if I am putting one on my '03 chopper...but they do not have one for the '07 K9.

That only leaves Rivera Primo...and they are hard to come by as well. Plus I believe the inner plate is a two piece.
I have a Primo 3 inch Drive on my 03 Chopper and it's going on 10 years old same belt trouble free all the way I would highly recommend it
 
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