Replaced the Swingarm Mat

[elroyjetsn]

Took off the swingarm mat a few weeks ago since the chain was digging into it pretty badly and the screw was about to be sheared off anyway.

Was also getting tired of the chain always rattling against the swingarm.

Couple days back noticed an old timing belt from the Subaru in the garage. Thought, "Hey, that's super tough rubber material with a smooth surface on one side. So, i cut off about a 1 foot length. Cleaned off the swingarm surfaces with carb cleaner and put a thick bead of Formagasket black silicone RTV along the area where the chain mat needs to be and slapped the timing belt over it so that the chain rode directly over the middle of the belt. Used some wire to hold everything in place over night.

Took a look at is in the AM and the RTV was well cured and the belt was secure and nicely aligned. 2 commutes so far and nothing has moved and the chain is nice and quiet. Don't think that chain will cut into that timing belt any time soon. Had to use diagonal cutters to cut the stuff and even then i had to nibble a little at a time. Tough material! :)

[fatboy250]

Dig it! I like the different ideas people come up with on our bikes.

[kens97sto171]

Great idea..and I like how you "recycled" something.
I had read somewhere of using one of those plastic cutting boards as an option too. When mine wears out I will be doing one or the other.

Nice job.

Ken

[IronFist]

Somebody used a chunk of a chopping board, you know the white ones. Never heard how long it lasted. Every once in a while bump this thread and let us know how it does over time. Great Idea :idea:

[ImEazy]

Very cool idea indeed. I can see where the rubber in the belt would absorb
the hits from the chain. I used the cutting board and it is still working just
fine, but is noisy like you described. Maybe when it is shot I will replace it
with something else.

Pic...
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/670/slidergm2.jpg

[elroyjetsn]

Thanks guys :)

Looks good, Easy!

Can't be as noisy as the chain slapping the bare swingarm. Mine sounded like someone lowering an anchor chain off a boat or something :oops:

That stock mat is way too soft and when i took off the front sprocket cover. It was crammed full of black rubber grindings. :x

The chain grooves were so deep that the rollers were riding the mat and spinning like crazy leaving them nicely polished, and causing premature wear.

Now i shouldn't need to worry about it for a while. :)

[ImEazy]

No not as bad as hitting the bare swingarm.

LMAO - boat anchor

The stock slider wasn't that bad with the stock sprocket, but once I went to
the 40 tooth the chain ate it up. I was fortunate and got a free chain (long
story) and trashed the old one when I made the cutting board slider. And
yes my front sprocket cover was full of rubber along with both sprockets
and the chain. Was quite a mess I tell you.

Definitely let us know how the belt wears as this may be a better alternative
to the cutting board.

[katoranger]

I am going to have to snag an old timing belt. One belt should make 3 or more mats.

Allen

[elroyjetsn]

Was quite a mess I tell you.

Definitely let us know how the belt wears as this may be a better alternative
to the cutting board.

IKWYM, The chain had already dumped a ton of rubber grindings in there and i could see that it could easily get choked on the stuff.

[elroyjetsn]

I am going to have to snag an old timing belt. One belt should make 3 or more mats.

Allen

Your local garage or junkyard will probably be happy to give you a few old belts that they have laying around.

[katoranger]

I will be going to the junkyard next week. I am sure one will be there.

Have to make a list. 83 240D engine. Timing belt. Scan the pile for junk motorcycles. (I find alot of them there)

Allen

[IronFist]

And a Loud 12v horn for IronFist. :D
Make sure you tack on a few bucks for handling.

[katoranger]

Let me see what the mercedes horn sounds like. I already have it.

Allen

[elroyjetsn]

I am going to have to snag an old timing belt. One belt should make 3 or more mats.

Allen

Depending on the car, that sounds possible. The Subie's is a little narrow. Had to run it diagonally across the arm a little to keep is centered beneath the chain. Would make things much simpler if the belt was nearly the width of the arm.

[katoranger]

They usually have a few engines laying there for scrap so I think I can find one easily.

I had some belts, but they went into the trash.

Allen

[VinceDrake]

The timing belt off of a '95 to 00 Neon Would work about perfect, either the single or twin cam. It's really wide and really thick... About 2" wide approximately. It's the most useful thing on the car!
:D

--Vince