Upgrades

Roger

Its not heavier now. The difference is you are a lot older!

Sorry

Regards

Peter

Congrats Roger on getting hold of a 650SS! I would have thought the obvious change for you now would be a belt drive. (i) no pesky oil leak (ii) shave a lb or 2 off the weight (iii) and so improve clutch action (I guess?).

No idea on any alternative alternators (sorry....). From what I read new "Lucas" alternators are a bit carp, so if the original is still fine, keep it. Although that depends on your total electrical loading. I'm assuming its already 12v.

Not every tale I have heard about belt drives has a happy ending. I am happy enough after 50 years of the good old tin chaincase on my now 745cc 99.

Yes, the bikes seem a lot heavier these days but the clutch action on mine is still ok. It's a fine balance between decent clutch plates and springs and of course decent cable routing.

Hi Roger,

As a fellow 650 owner, may I suggest that before you dive in, remember the advice of "if it isn't broken then don't try to fix it".

Putting some miles on it will give you some time to think on what your priorities are to make it how YOU want it/expect it to be.

E.g. Does it start easily and idle well both hot and cold? Do the brakes work well enough for you? Does the electrical system work as intended and as you expect it to? Does it 'mark its territory'? Do you have the grip you want/expect from the tyres? All things to think about and add to the priority list. 

Regarding the pro's and cons of belts and chains, think carefully on how many miles you intend to do per year and how often you want to be out on it. The cost of doing this mod isn't insignificant. The 'tin cases' CAN be oil tight if yours does indeed leak.and I would say (MY opinion, others will disagree!) a belt kit adds zero value to the bike- I certainly wouldn't pay more for a bike with a belt over one with a chain anyway. (Says the owner whose bike has a large amount of non-standard 'value destroying' stuff on it!)

I'm sure that you will also enjoy going through the 'Dominator Technical Directory' to give you even more to think about.

Regards, George. 

A VERY common cause of a heavy clutch on a Dommie is by using the wrong clutch lever.  The fulcrum centre to centre of nipple measurement should be 7/8" - not 1", as many replacements are.  It's surprising what a difference it makes. I made that mistake once in the 1960s when changing from the original levers to ball-end levers. 

Belt drive is very much a "Marmite" issue.  I would NEVER go for one as I have seen too many complaints of problems - and they aren't cheap!  If I'm paying squillions for something, I want it to be "fit and forget", not "a can of worms"!  IMHO their "Pros" don't outweigh their "Cons" so for me  they wouldn't be an "Upgrade".  Now an electric starter might be good! LOL!

As far as weight is concerned - yes they DO get heavier over time.  It's to do with the atomic structure of the steel accreting more molecules.  The University of Big Heads published a thesis on it, so it's something you might want to read after you're finished watching the grass grow.

.. I put the (plunger) ES2 on its centre stand today for the first time in a while and had a real struggle. I'm so pleased I fitted a prop stand a few years ago. I was almost at the stage of asking my wife to help!

I managed for half a century without a viable propstand,  Now i use it all the time. Much easier to get the leg over.

Fitted a VENHILL cable and the correct 7/8" centre lever and transformed my 99 clutch. At age 75 I got wrist-ache from the clutch, but now can hold it disengaged with one finger. 

Stick to chain primary, use red rubber grease on the outside of the sealing band, fit a Kingfisher oil tap/ign cut-out, LED bulbs , raised bars and totter on!