Photo: Free Spirits
Triumph's new Modern Classic for 2016, the Street Twin, is already in for modding, as the Italian workshop Free Spirits reveals the first belt conversion kit. For a strange reason, it looks like there are a lot of riders who enjoy switching from chain to a belt final drive, and Free Spirits are present to offer just the right things for the job.
The kit comprises a 65-teeth alloy steel pulley complemented by a 27-teeth nickel-plated front sprocket, bound together by a 126-teeth belt. Unlike in other cases, this time, installing a Free Spirit belt conversion kit on the 2016 Triumph Street Twin is not going to be child's play.
The Italian manufacturer warns to customers that the conversion is not a bolt-on operation. Clearance-related issues require that a protrusion on the gearbox be shaved off, so modifying the Street Twin is not entirely reversible.
At the same time, the OEM chain guard will no longer be compatible with the belt conversion kit. Still, the safety factor was not neglected, as Free Spirits have already designed and manufactured a replacement part that is also available through their web shop separately.
Even so, the ratio is identical to the original one, so riding the belt-driven Street Twin and the chain-driven one will not feel different in any way. It's just the fact that deciding to go for the belt final drive for the Street Twin will leave some "scars" on the bike.
Installing a belt conversion kit will make ownership of the 2016 Triumph Street Twin a bit more rewarding. Belt-driven bikes need way less maintenance; in fact, they are almost zero-maintenance vehicles as far as the final drive is concerned.
No grime build-up, no messy cleaning sessions, and no lubrication needed, simply make sure that the tension is right from time to time, and then hop on the bike and roll the throttle. And such a prospect certainly looks appealing if you're not a fan of chain grime.
The belt conversion kit for the 2016 Triumph Street Twin will set you back €718 ($815) bought directly from Free Spirits. Just make sure that your Street Twin doesn't catch on fire.
The Italian manufacturer warns to customers that the conversion is not a bolt-on operation. Clearance-related issues require that a protrusion on the gearbox be shaved off, so modifying the Street Twin is not entirely reversible.
At the same time, the OEM chain guard will no longer be compatible with the belt conversion kit. Still, the safety factor was not neglected, as Free Spirits have already designed and manufactured a replacement part that is also available through their web shop separately.
Even so, the ratio is identical to the original one, so riding the belt-driven Street Twin and the chain-driven one will not feel different in any way. It's just the fact that deciding to go for the belt final drive for the Street Twin will leave some "scars" on the bike.
Installing a belt conversion kit will make ownership of the 2016 Triumph Street Twin a bit more rewarding. Belt-driven bikes need way less maintenance; in fact, they are almost zero-maintenance vehicles as far as the final drive is concerned.
No grime build-up, no messy cleaning sessions, and no lubrication needed, simply make sure that the tension is right from time to time, and then hop on the bike and roll the throttle. And such a prospect certainly looks appealing if you're not a fan of chain grime.
The belt conversion kit for the 2016 Triumph Street Twin will set you back €718 ($815) bought directly from Free Spirits. Just make sure that your Street Twin doesn't catch on fire.
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