Best complete Belt and clutch kit

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springer

springer

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Hi to all
I am building a MK2 Seeley Norton Bike and it is time to decide which belt and clutch kit to use.
Seems there are two general kinds, the ones that use the norton diaphragm and a belt kit either from simple aluminum or more exotic material or billet. RGM Maney or Hemmings.
The others use mostly lighter material (and design) and a system with springs BRR or NEB.
What do you thing is the best (and Why) when buying from scratch (no previous parts) and for a use as a fast road bike and/or vintage trackbike? Looking also specially experiences with NEB kit as there are very few yet.
 
That is a can of worms for sure.

I have used the RGM kit for years because I preferred the oil proof steel corded belt and the numerically low ratio that takes some torque off the gearbox.

But, except for the lack of a tall ratio, the CNW kit using the Polychain belt is tough to beat. That belt is tough and the steel drive pulley lasts a long time.
 
i'm a fan of the Bob Newby one, my ES2 is fitted with one. The clutch is an absolute peach, can find neutral any time, and they offered a range of primary drive ratio's including a match for the original chain drive ratio.
I used to have a Norvil or RGM (fading memory) one on my Commando, no complaints but i prefer the Newby.
 
I have used Tony Hayward belts on Triumphs and Weslakes for years, they use the same polyurethane belts Comnoz refers to.

I had a Norvil kit on my Commando for 5 years or so, without issue. Norvil offer a huge range of pulley sizes and belt lengths and a very useful chart re ratios and pulley centres for each set up.

I have used a Maney kit on the Commando, also without issue. This raises the gearing over stock.

I currently run the cNw one, it’s top notch quality. This is close to stock gearing IIRC.

The Newby kit is very good stuff, and if you currently have nothing (no belt, pulleys, clutch parts, etc) is a good option as it contains everything. Bob also does different pulley and belt sizes and will advise re pulley centres.

You say road and track use, don’t forget that if you use an alternator you need to avoid the wider race belts offered by some of the above.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I have used Tony Hayward belts on Triumphs and Weslakes for years, they use the same polyurethane belts Comnoz refers to.

I had a Norvil kit on my Commando for 5 years or so, without issue. Norvil offer a huge range of pulley sizes and belt lengths and a very useful chart re ratios and pulley centres for each set up.

I have used a Maney kit on the Commando, also without issue. This raises the gearing over stock.

I currently run the cNw one, it’s top notch quality. This is close to stock gearing IIRC.

The Newby kit is very good stuff, and if you currently have nothing (no belt, pulleys, clutch parts, etc) is a good option as it contains everything. Bob also does different pulley and belt sizes and will advise re pulley centres.

You say road and track use, don’t forget that if you use an alternator you need to avoid the wider race belts offered by some of the above.
Click to expand...
fitting a Newby to an ES2 means spacing the alternator slightly further out ( spacers provided) so might need to build that into your calculations on your bike.
 
BNR on two of my bikes. In operation they are fine perhaps a bit less smooth in transition than a stock one. Light on the lever. Doesnt slip.
My only real issue is that you need to have a slightly smaller front pulley than I got to provide belt clearance. I didnt know this and failed to ask
Bob for a slightly smaller pulley. The other thing is the belt and clutch run dry so any problem with crank seal leakage will immediately become
apparent.
 
Hi Springer

Alternator or not dictates width of belt & are you running original covers.
Would go with the cnw system if I was starting a build now, as thinking long term I see an electric starter in my future.
Chris
 
Just a note, Im running stock 850 non electric leg w/stock alternator.
 
I have run a 30mm norvil kit for approx 20 year's
Had problems with the parts supplied being wrong but eventually sorted and the system is superb
 
Thanks to all, it will be a bike with a single phase alternator, open case and as for gearing would like to be close to stock. CNW will be difficult and costly to reach my country in Europe... leaning towards the NEB one as it is almost similar to Newby but has a sealed clutch bearing. Any experience with that?
 
Yep.
I have two Neb clutches, different designs. I like the sealed bearing the center has saw tooth clutch plates.
Used on Commando motocross sidecar racing.
Works well heavy duty alloy
 
Chris said:
Yep.
I have two Neb clutches, different designs. I like the sealed bearing the center has saw tooth clutch plates.
Used on Commando motocross sidecar racing.
Works well heavy duty alloy
Click to expand...
Thank you Chris, valuable information.
 
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