Many new motorcycles use a belt rather than a chain to transfer the power from the transmission to the rear wheel. For my senior project my team is building an engine dynamometer and we are considering using a motorcycle drive belt and pulleys set up to connect the engine to the brake. I am wondering what the highest power these types of belts can handle. Thank you in advance.
The Evo and Twin Cam Brute III Extreme enclosed belt drive uses a Kevlar corded 1 3/4 Urethane belt capable of handling horsepower in the 150 + range
You need to be worried about torque, not horsepower. The bigger the rollers the more torque the belt drive is going to see. Also, in 1st gear a 200ft/lb engine might be putting down 1000ft/lbs to the rollers with a 0.5 trans ratio and a 3:1 dif. A belt from a powerful motorcycle would probably work, a belt from a supercharger might work. Check out Mcmaster Carr for chains, sprockets, belts, and pulleys. A v-belt or chain will be easiest since they don't require tension. You can run two or more smaller belts as well, this is very effective.
The Buell 1125R is rated at 146hp and is belt-driven.
