Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 NVH?

and then there is the joy of having to constantly lube the chain.... and where all that lube ends up

The point was made a little earlier in this Thread that there is no need to remove the swingarm to change the drive belt if using a chain. With chains lubrication is somewhat of an issue but what about molybdenum disulfide? I have heard of and used a substance called DriSlide that was specifically designed to lubricate moving parts in extreme temperatures and no collect dirt, sand or any other airborne material. Developed for the military to lubricate wingmount machineguns.

What would you think are the drawbacks?

The downsides I see with the chain drive are that it will require lubrication, although there are some automatic oilers available. The lubricating oil will be messy. It will require replacement but only after about 18,000 miles and that will be easier than a belt change. The other downside is shown in the photo below, although highly unlikely with a well maintained modern chain. The photo is of an old racing Morgan 3 Wheeler. There could be problems fitting a chain drive with an NVH kit as the BB isn't solidly mounted.

There are several plus sides as well, which is why I am seriously thinking about doing it, probably with a chain guard of some sort fitted.

Planenut, that is exactly why I hesitate with chain drive. I know there has been great advancements in chain manufacturing in the last 40 years since I was riding MX Bike and desert riding but it makes me skittish as a horse on a wooden bridge.

DriSlide lube would be a good thing but it would need be applied frequently.

After rereading Phil’s description of the chain installation he apparently assembles the chain completely and then removes swingarm to put it in place. No quick disconnect... I believe I will stick with the belt .

In Phil's Chain Drive video he shows that the chain can be replaced without removing the swing arm and using an extended chain rivet tool to clear the M3W bodywork. The fact that you don't have to remove the swing arm to replace the chain, unlike the belt, is one of the chain drive selling points. I don't think that you will be replacing either chains or belts frequently, so it's not a big consideration. A chain life on the M3W is predicted to be at least 18,000 miles and there are many belt drives with over 30,000 miles on them.

I had not noticed that in the video, thanks for the info.

Here is a good reason to fit Phils Bevel box mount kit.
This is after had tightened the bolts. It really is a rubish design, now got something else to save up for!
[video:yahoo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q36-b0pG2mA[/video]

The NVH kit doesn't gain anything (other than weight) and seems to introduce more problems. It does make you wonder why MMC have continued to fit it. You can see why there are lots of big clunks when accelerating hard, with that much flex in the mounts.