EZM update

[Quenton Guenther]

Hi Everyone,

WOW! Looks like we underestimated the demand for 4-stroke motorbike kits and American made drive systems.

We just started shipping production run #5, and I hope to cover some of the changes and upgrades.

The spring-loaded idler has been re-located to tension the belt from the inside instead of depressing the belt from the "backbone". The current production drive system is using a special automotive-cogged belt in place of the earlier 3L/4L series. We also altered the drive pulley "pitch" to increase the effective power transfer. We have worked closely with Gates, Goodyear, Carlisle, and Dayco belt companies to select the best components for extended belt life and performance. Our drive pulley options have been expanded to add more low-end power selections.

Although the production cost of the latest Q-Matic drive system has increased slightly we plan to leave the MSRP at $259.75. After several meetings and messages with our dealers, the majority agreed to a lower MSRP on the EZM 4-stroke kit to $599.00.

One of our current projects concerns adapting the smaller 4-stroke motors [38 CC] to the Q-Matic drive system [to meet the requirements in of a couple of states].


Have fun,

 

[azbill]

a simple, yet elegant solution
I am now at 4200+ miles on my EZM (HS-142) engine
1600+ miles on my Q-Matic (upgraded from Silent-Power manual at 2600m)
700+ miles on my stretch (swapped drivetrain and rear sprocket to the 72tooth) at 3500m)

if that sounds like bragging,,,it is intentional,,,,
I LOVE MY BIKE

 

[jbcruisin]

Looks great!! Waiting for my Q matic to arrive. My manual Silent drive still runs great though.

 

[Gh0stRider]

Hi!

Can anyone explain the benefits of having the tensioner push out against the belt instead of pushing in? It seems that pushing in against the "backbone" of the belt makes more sense because as the belt stretches under load, the belt will wrap even more around the pulleys giving more surface area for power transfer.

Thanks

 

[Quenton Guenther]

Hi Gh0stRider,

After many hours/days/months of research with Gates, Goodyear, Dayco, & Carlisle belt companies we changed our tensioner design. Although using the backbone to tension the belt does in fact create more "belt wrap" it also causes the belt to wedge deeper into the drive pulley, causing more friction and increases the operating temperature. Hotter temperatures can also shorten the belt life slightly.

Having said all that, the main reason we elected to re-design our tensioner system was to reduce power loss. By using a special belt and pushing the belt from the inside, the power transfer loss rate is reduced to under 2%. The engineers at the various belt companies helped us conduct actual tests [some with software and some with hardware] and the results were amazing. In fact my EZM prototype gained 2 MPH on the top, and left the stop sign much quicker by only changing the idler system and installing the special belt. The new belt works so well I couldn't make it slip even with the idler removed. It became clear the weight of the belt and the belt design pulls the belt into the drive pulley and the return path can be loose without any effect on power transfer.

Several of our dealers tested [some are still testing] a variety of belts & designs and soon found it possible to maintain total grip with the belt very loose [AZBill was the first to test this theory]. During the original testing we discovered some belts crack the inner core when the backbone is deflected too much, and some belts don't allow any backbone deflection.

Hope this information is helpful,

 

[Gh0stRider]

Thanks for the response.

I asked because I had never seen a belt tensioned in this manner. Whether it be a clothes dryer, hvac blower, or automotive app - I've always seen a tensioner placed against the back of the belt to increase the wrap around the pulleys to increase the surface area contact for maximum power transmission.

 

[jbcruisin]

I hope no one steals Quenton's design. We all know that research like this isn't quick or easy.
Jay

 

[Gh0stRider]

I hope no one steals Quenton's design. We all know that research like this isn't quick or easy.
Jay

Well, they may be able to steal the design concept of having the tensioner push out - but I'm guessing they won't be able to steal the special belt that works with this design.

 

[KilroyCD]

Jay (jbcruisin) and I both have Q-Matics with the new belt and tensioner coming soon from Quenton, so we'll be able to put these to the test. I'm curious to see how it works with my overstuffed carcass in the saddle, as I weigh significantly more than either Quenton or Jay.

 

[jbcruisin]

Chris is a big guy & I ride wide open all the time. So we'll be doing 2 different tests