I found this on belt drives from the Villiers Improvements Handbook
In the light of modern day technology a change to belt drive is possible, but no volume manufacturer produces one this small, in commercial quantities. Nortons and Triumphs are well catered for, so why not the Villiers. Brian Wolley commissioned Tony Hayward to build a belt drive system for his Silverstone Mk 2 some years ago, but this engine and clutch were of Greeves manufacture and the gearbox by Albion. The belt used was of 1 inch polypropylene and said to be able to transmit 50 bhp.
Fortunately, a belt drive is available new from Igor Ashwell for the 9E, which he uses on his own kart, to good affect. The system uses a 30 mm belt, which retains the standard primary drive ratio, and the original Villiers clutch basket rivetted to a new pulley (where the new pulley replaces the original sprocket). The clutch runs cooler in the open air and does not slip, even though he only uses 3 friction plates, and the standard 9 spring centre and plates.
Igor Ashwell has since died so I dont know if anyone else has taken on the belt drive, maybe Nametab Engineering or one of the Karting specialists. If it can be done for Villiers I would have though it possible for the Griffon.
In the light of modern day technology a change to belt drive is possible, but no volume manufacturer produces one this small, in commercial quantities. Nortons and Triumphs are well catered for, so why not the Villiers. Brian Wolley commissioned Tony Hayward to build a belt drive system for his Silverstone Mk 2 some years ago, but this engine and clutch were of Greeves manufacture and the gearbox by Albion. The belt used was of 1 inch polypropylene and said to be able to transmit 50 bhp.
Fortunately, a belt drive is available new from Igor Ashwell for the 9E, which he uses on his own kart, to good affect. The system uses a 30 mm belt, which retains the standard primary drive ratio, and the original Villiers clutch basket rivetted to a new pulley (where the new pulley replaces the original sprocket). The clutch runs cooler in the open air and does not slip, even though he only uses 3 friction plates, and the standard 9 spring centre and plates.
Igor Ashwell has since died so I dont know if anyone else has taken on the belt drive, maybe Nametab Engineering or one of the Karting specialists. If it can be done for Villiers I would have though it possible for the Griffon.
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