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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Feb 2019
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
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Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2019
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and then there is the joy of having to constantly lube the chain.... and where all that lube ends up
Rodger
2018 M3W "Dreamers on the Rise"
2004 Plus 8 (wife's)
old Goldwings and a couple of Harleys
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Joined: Feb 2019
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Talk Morgan Addict
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OP
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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.
2019 M3W Sold and is now in Las Vegas enjoying the showgirls :-)
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Joined: Feb 2019
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The belt and box noises like you say seem to be part of their normal operation, however objectionable they are, and to date I am not aware of a proven way to reduce them.
The chain drive conversion would certainly be a proven way of reducing the belt noises  . It has some things going for it but a few drawbacks as well. What would you think are the drawbacks?
2019 M3W Sold and is now in Las Vegas enjoying the showgirls :-)
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
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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. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2020/10/02/P1180854.md.jpg)
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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.
2019 M3W Sold and is now in Las Vegas enjoying the showgirls :-)
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Joined: Feb 2019
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To change the drive belt is not a job you would contemplate at the side of the road. The rear wheel needs to come out and then the swing arm, as the belt loops around the swing arm, and to get to the swing arm it is seats and lower rear bulkhead out. Having said that I am not aware of a drive belt having failed or been changed and there are plenty of M3W's I regularly drive with who have done 30,000 plus miles on the original belt. 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 .
2019 M3W Sold and is now in Las Vegas enjoying the showgirls :-)
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
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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.
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Joined: Feb 2019
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I had not noticed that in the video, thanks for the info.
2019 M3W Sold and is now in Las Vegas enjoying the showgirls :-)
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 488
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 488 |
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]
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 72 |
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.
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