Vortex sucks balls! [Archive]

speedylocksmith

11-08-2008, 01:53 PM

Yes, I know they wear out quickly, but holy shit!!!!!!!! Only about 7k miles on a liter bike (yes, I ride a little hard) and it's fucking shot!!

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7346/img4809om3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

jeeps84

11-08-2008, 01:55 PM

Alumn's dont last long no matter the brand.

11-08-2008, 01:56 PM

thats probably why they offer all the sponsorship money, because nobody can afford to run em regularly otherwise.

Id be shocked if your chain didnt jump off that!

speedylocksmith

11-08-2008, 01:57 PM

Yeah I know. I guess I'm also a little pissed because I was told it was steel from where I bought it.

speedylocksmith

11-08-2008, 01:59 PM

thats probably why they offer all the sponsorship money, because nobody can afford to run em regularly otherwise.

Id be shocked if your chain didnt jump off that!
Coming out of a turn last night, I got on it a little hard with my g/f on the back and it slipped a few teeth while leaning which scared the shit out of me a little bit. Took it somewhat slow to where I was going. Tightened the chain and it was ok the rest of the night and changed it this morning.

Gas Man

11-08-2008, 02:01 PM

Well I'll let you slide on the understatment being a noob here. But I have been preaching this for like almost 4 years!!!!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/ZX9R/GAP2K5109.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/ZX9R/GAP2K5110.jpg

speedylocksmith

11-08-2008, 02:03 PM

what does being a noob here have to do with it, you lost me????????

marko138

11-08-2008, 02:04 PM

Look Gas Man, you've got a Vortex buddy!

jeeps84

11-08-2008, 02:04 PM

what does being a noob here have to do with it, you lost me????????

You missed his 5 year old wisdom.

marko138

11-08-2008, 02:06 PM

You missed his 5 year old wisdom.
:rofl:

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 02:10 PM

Yeah I know. I guess I'm also a little pissed because I was told it was steel from where I bought it.

well he was callin you a noob to the forum, not to riding...

but honestly if you cant tel the dif between aluminum and steel, then

http://pandadan.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/noob.jpg

Gas Man

11-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Yeah calm down homer... noob here...

Hondahugger

11-08-2008, 06:03 PM

Coming out of a turn last night, I got on it a little hard with my g/f on the backmaybe your g/f is a fatty and helped wear them down :idk:

speedylocksmith

11-08-2008, 06:29 PM

well he was callin you a noob to the forum, not to riding...

but honestly if you cant tel the dif between aluminum and steel, then

http://pandadan.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/noob.jpgI wasn't the one who put the sprocket on and I didn't inspect it after it was on

ceo012384

11-08-2008, 06:53 PM

I wasn't the one who put the sprocket on and I didn't inspect it after it was on

There's two of your problems right there.

11-08-2008, 09:03 PM

shops can be so fraudulent sometimes. I once brought my whole bike in for new tires, when i got it back they didnt even adjust the r-wheel straight and it was barely all hand tight.

now i just hand them the wheels to change the tires.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:17 PM

also, 7k on a liter bike isn;t horrible, on a alum sprocket. He also fails to mention that this chain had a few tight spots on it.

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:19 PM

There's two of your problems right there.

yea........ dude, put it on stands and sweat it out yourself. spending money on letting somebody else fuck with your bike is pretty gay. nuff said.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:20 PM

You don';t know Speedy well. He's a lazy fucker. :lol:

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:25 PM

You don';t know Speedy well. He's a lazy fucker. :lol:

i've seen a lot of lazy riders in the ICU. they usually stop riding after getting put on a ventilator.

learn yourself how to really work on a bike, its invaluable.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:27 PM

i've seen a lot of lazy riders in the ICU. they usually stop riding after getting put on a ventilator.

learn yourself how to really work on a bike, its invaluable.

Plus a bazillion :)

Leon makes me work on my own shit. It irritates me since I wash his laundry and cook and clean for his ass :lol

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:28 PM

Plus a bazillion :)

Leon makes me work on my own shit. It irritates me since I wash his laundry and cook and clean for his ass :lol

thats just because you are a woman, its your privlage to cook and clean for him.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:31 PM

thats just because you are a woman, its your privlage to cook and clean for him.

Nah, he'd starve and wear dirty clothes if I didn't :lol:

actually, I don't mind, I change my own oil, brakes, he taught me how to take off my wheels for tires, radiator flushing, engine swaps.

Its been a real learing experience for the last 5.5 years :lol:

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:33 PM

Nah, he'd starve and wear dirty clothes if I didn't :lol:

actually, I don't mind, I change my own oil, brakes, he taught me how to take off my wheels for tires, radiator flushing, engine swaps.

Its been a real learing experience for the last 5.5 years :lol:

I'll know i've met mrs right when she lets me fuck her while she changes my oil and brakes and manages not to spill a drop, and wipes my fairings off after the affair.
i should write up a classified add... hello craigslist.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:34 PM

Do it, I will nominate it for the best of posts :)

Dave

11-08-2008, 09:35 PM

thats just because you are a woman, its your privlage to cook and clean for him.

and not wear shoes :whistle:

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:36 PM

Fuck!! I guess I will put the 6 inch platform stripper shoes back in the closet :(

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:38 PM

Fuck!! I guess I will put the 6 inch platform stripper shoes back in the closet :(

not before you put them on and take pics in the mirror... i'll PM you my number to send them to.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:40 PM

yeah, no.

Unless you ask Leon real nice and he posts them for you.

all the really "risque" pics up on CF were taken and posted by him :lol

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:44 PM

yeah, no.

Unless you ask Leon real nice and he posts them for you.

all the really "risque" pics up on CF were taken and posted by him :lol

eh, NBD. rejection is part of the equation.

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:45 PM

Yeah, he put a rock on my finger in April. So he has final say.

all I will say is Neebs and azoomm have seen said pics. :)

NONE_too_SOFT

11-08-2008, 09:46 PM

Yeah, he put a rock on my finger in April. So he has final say.

all I will say is Neebs and azoomm have seen said pics. :)

soooooooo, any younger sisters?

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 09:53 PM

[QUOTE=NONE_too_SOFT;89915]soooooooo, any younger sisters?[/QUOTE

Sadly, no, but I do have an older brother who is just as much as an asshole as I am :)

JoJoYZF

11-08-2008, 09:54 PM

[QUOTE=NONE_too_SOFT;89915]soooooooo, any younger sisters?[/QUOTE

Sadly, no, but I do have an older brother who is just as much as an asshole as I am :)

Well, t-rock is set.

Mr Lefty

11-08-2008, 09:57 PM

Well, t-rock is set.

excellent post.... but work on the quoting feature...

Dave

11-08-2008, 10:04 PM

[QUOTE=NONE_too_SOFT;89915]soooooooo, any younger sisters?[/QUOTE

Sadly, no, but I do have an older brother who is just as much as an asshole as I am :)

well all we need is a wig then

Mr Lefty

11-08-2008, 10:12 PM

well all we need is a wig then

if that's all it takes for you.... I think your PTSD is a bit more than you can handle

JoJoYZF

11-08-2008, 10:14 PM

excellent post.... but work on the quoting feature...

That would be ninjakel. She messed it up and I was too lazy to fix it.

Dave

11-08-2008, 10:15 PM

hey hey hey! three years in the desert is a LONNNGG time buddy. aint no drinky girls in iraq!

Mr Lefty

11-08-2008, 10:30 PM

hey hey hey! three years in the desert is a LONNNGG time buddy. aint no drinky girls in iraq!

all the more reason to enjoy the vagina

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 10:33 PM

That quote mistake can suck Leon's nads :lol

J/k

Sorry all.

Mr Lefty

11-08-2008, 10:36 PM

That quote mistake can suck Leon's nads :lol

J/k

Sorry all.

:lol: I just like give'n JoJo shit... so he'll post more and I can see more pics of that chicks ass :drool:

Dave

11-08-2008, 10:56 PM

all the more reason to enjoy the vagina

oh i do i do :dthumb:

Ninjakel

11-08-2008, 10:57 PM

It IS a nice heiney :)

JoJoYZF

11-08-2008, 11:58 PM

:lol: I just like give'n JoJo shit... so he'll post more and I can see more pics of that chicks ass :drool:

Thats very understandable. And its always fun to harass people in general.

It IS a nice heiney :)

Ill share with you if youre nice.

Dave

11-08-2008, 11:58 PM

id like to see the rest of her

Mr Lefty

11-09-2008, 12:11 AM

id like to see the rest of her

http://www.xarj.net/wp-content/gallery/alicia-photos/alicia-sacramone.jpg

http://sportsgirlsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/alicia-sacramone.jpg

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Picture%2038(6).png

JoJoYZF

11-09-2008, 12:45 AM

id like to see the rest of her

Alicia Sacromone

http://www.xarj.net/wp-content/gallery/alicia-photos/alicia-sacramone.jpg

http://sportsgirlsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/alicia-sacramone.jpg

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Picture%2038(6).png

First pic didnt work, but good lookin out.

JARVIS518

11-09-2008, 02:00 AM

i wouldnt throw her out of bed

Cutty72

11-09-2008, 02:05 AM

That's why I don't have sprockets on my bike :idk: easier that way.

marko138

11-09-2008, 01:59 PM

I will only take my bike to a shop if I absolutely cannot do it myself...but for the most part I can.

Gas Man

11-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Back to the topic...

Another thing that can be horrible on sprockets is alignment. Get the simple alignment tool by motion pro. I have noticed some bikes are as much as one whole mark off on the swing arm marks from one side to the other.

marko138

11-09-2008, 03:45 PM

Gas Man

11-09-2008, 03:52 PM

Many do. Theoretically they should be good. But they usually aren't.

marko138

11-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Many do. Theoretically they should be good. But they usually aren't.
Thats been my experience. I've always gone with wrench turns. Never had a problem.

HRCNICK11

11-14-2008, 04:23 PM

Leon

11-14-2008, 04:52 PM

Vortex sprockets suck especially on liter bikes. They use a pretty soft aluminum and it wears in no time. I started to run steel 520 sprockets on my 1000, I haven't seen any wear at all.

Trip

11-14-2008, 05:16 PM

http://sportsgirlsplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/alicia-sacramone.jpg

http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Picture%2038(6).png

What was this thread about again?

speedylocksmith

11-14-2008, 05:24 PM

The only Vortex sprocket I have ever seen fail like that the person had the axle spacers on the wrong side and the rear wheel was offset to one side about 1/4 inch. A chain being way to tight could also cause that.The chain was definately NOT tight, ask Leon :whistle: and the spacers were all in there properly. Just a crap sprocket. I usually do everything myself or with the help of someone if it's a bit too much for me, but I was putting on new tires front and rear and don't have a front stand so I just brought it to the place that got the tires for me and had them put the sprocket on at the same time. No need for me to take it back apart when he already had the back tire off

Ninjakel

11-14-2008, 05:25 PM

Crap chain maintence

speedylocksmith

11-14-2008, 05:26 PM

Crap chain maintenceok, i'm guilty to a point. Chain was pretty clean but it was loose.

ceo012384

11-15-2008, 09:37 PM

Many do. Theoretically they should be good. But they usually aren't.
Yeah they are always off.

My buddy is going to make some alignment tools... they are rods that go through the axes of your choosing and have little flats on them so you can run a measuring tape.

I.e. put one through the rear axle and one through the swingarm pivot, measure both sides and match the numbers to align the chain.

pickle.of.doom

11-15-2008, 10:16 PM

All aluminum sprockets wear pretty fast, like Jeeps said, especially with bikes that throw down a lot of torque. Also most of the sprockets out there, no matter which company is selling them, are mainly made by the same company anyway (SUN).

Quick281

11-23-2008, 06:03 PM

Yeah they are always off.

My buddy is going to make some alignment tools... they are rods that go through the axes of your choosing and have little flats on them so you can run a measuring tape.

I.e. put one through the rear axle and one through the swingarm pivot, measure both sides and match the numbers to align the chain.

Thats a good idea.

Leon

11-24-2008, 10:01 AM

Thats a good idea.

Off to the lathe to make some tools.

ceo012384

11-24-2008, 05:40 PM

Off to the lathe to make some tools.

Have little tapered cones that slide on the rods that have setscrews in them. You slide those into the axle/pivot/etc holes and the tapering centers them on that axis. Then tighten the set screw and measure the distance between the flats on the end of the rods. ;)

Leon

11-24-2008, 08:49 PM

Yup, that was the idea that came to mind.

I've made stuff on the lathe in the past.

Like my spike key.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/LeonTLR/bikes/ae4dedcc.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/LeonTLR/bikes/5539_1.jpg

Quick281

11-24-2008, 11:29 PM

Thats pretty cool, but since I usually keep my keys in a pocket, I would imagine that could hurt like hell if I ran into something.

speedylocksmith

11-25-2008, 12:45 AM

Thats pretty cool, but since I usually keep my keys in a pocket, I would imagine that could hurt like hell if I ran into something.I have one that he made. It's not bad at all and unique

BobTheBiker

11-25-2008, 02:57 AM

I should take some pictures of our "wall of shame" the next time I visit pureacceleration. I swear there are a good half dozen vorjunk rear sprockets, and maybe a few fronts on the wall there, that are missing teeth, or just have pure NUBS or less left on them. off 600's 1000's, 750's, and just yeah. vortex=shit. fuck them, fuck their cheap ass soft aluminum. I'm keepin my STEEL sprockets.

marko138

11-25-2008, 09:53 AM

Have little tapered cones that slide on the rods that have setscrews in them. You slide those into the axle/pivot/etc holes and the tapering centers them on that axis. Then tighten the set screw and measure the distance between the flats on the end of the rods. ;)
Fucking genious.

Leon

11-29-2008, 07:43 PM

here we go, I made some alignment tools today.

It was easy to machine and thread the cones. Breaking and having to rebuild the lathe was a nightmare.

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 01:59 AM

Fucking genious.

Fixed axle position with non-adjustable belt that never needs adjusting or replacing.

Fucking Genius.

marko138

11-30-2008, 09:48 AM

Fixed axle position with non-adjustable belt that never needs adjusting or replacing.

Fucking Genius.
I could not agree more.

Carolina

11-30-2008, 09:51 AM

Nice work leon that key is hott. wish I had the equipment /skill :dthumb:

Gas Man

11-30-2008, 06:06 PM

Fixed axle position with non-adjustable belt that never needs adjusting or replacing.

Fucking Genius.
Don't you mean self-adjusting belt???

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 06:24 PM

Don't you mean self-adjusting belt???

Nope. The belt does not need/get/want adjusting. Tensioner is static.

Gas Man

11-30-2008, 06:31 PM

Right... its not the belt... its the tensioner that does all the magic...just like a auto cerp belt

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 06:32 PM

Right... its not the belt... its the tensioner that does all the magic...just like a auto cerp belt

The tensioner does not move, nor does it get adjusted... hence 'the tensioner is static'.... therefore, the belt is never adjusted.

Gas Man

11-30-2008, 06:39 PM

WTF... I can honestly tell you I have never inspected it before... post pic pls

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 06:49 PM

Couldn't find a good picture, so I found a ginormous one.

http://www.pulidosdemotosymas.com/pulidosdemotosymas/img/buell010.jpg

The idler pulley / tensioner is not mobile, spring loaded, or anything. Two bolts holds that bitch in one location.

Gas Man

11-30-2008, 07:38 PM

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 09:06 PM

Interesting... hmmm...

I know belts don't stretch like chains and S&S is coming out with one laced with kevlar making it as strong or stronger than chains...

I'm guessing it has something to do with the swingarm geometry.

Thanks for the pic and education...

Buell belts have that shit already... The new ones have Veyance Hibrex belts with Flexten Plus technology... whatever the fuck that is.

azoomm

11-30-2008, 09:34 PM

Poorly maintained chains freak me out... tells me a lot about how a person cares for their bike.

Leon - nice work!! Wish I needed to align my axle on my swingarm. Wait, no I don't :lol:

Leon

11-30-2008, 09:36 PM

Used it today. Really easy to do and worked like a charm. And just as I thought, the marks on the swingarm were off.

Maybe I should make a few more and throw them up for sale.

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 09:38 PM

Used it today. Really easy to do and worked like a charm. And just as I thought, the marks on the swingarm were off.

Maybe I should make a few more and throw them up for sale.

Damn good idea.... only you should give guys with Tillers one for free cause it's such an awesome bike.

Leon

11-30-2008, 09:59 PM

I had a tiller. It was a unique bike, but there's no way in hell I'd give up my GSXR and keep the Tiller.

OneSickPsycho

11-30-2008, 10:02 PM

I had a tiller. It was a unique bike, but there's no way in hell I'd give up my GSXR and keep the Tiller.

That's coolio... You can tell me how to dye my leathers and give me one of your axle alignment tools and I'll forgive you.

Quick281

12-01-2008, 02:35 AM

Used it today. Really easy to do and worked like a charm. And just as I thought, the marks on the swingarm were off.

Maybe I should make a few more and throw them up for sale.

Got pics? I would be interested in one.

Leon

12-01-2008, 08:47 AM

Here you go.

ceo012384

12-01-2008, 11:10 AM

here we go, I made some alignment tools today.

It was easy to machine and thread the cones. Breaking and having to rebuild the lathe was a nightmare.
Those turned out nice Leon... that was exactly what I was describing. Nice work :cheers:

The only thing is that I would cut a little bit off the ends of the rods... so that the last half inch or so has a half-moon cross section. Then you arrange the rods so that the flat section is facing up and it gives you more exact marks to measure with. Your call though, I am just very picky ;)

edit: did I describe that in such a way that it made sense? :idk:
The tensioner does not move, nor does it get adjusted... hence 'the tensioner is static'.... therefore, the belt is never adjusted.
So if the belt stretches it never gets corrected? You just replace the belt?
Used it today. Really easy to do and worked like a charm. And just as I thought, the marks on the swingarm were off.

Maybe I should make a few more and throw them up for sale.
How much were they off? They are usually off as much as a whole mark or two.

And yes that would be a good GB idea... :cheers:

edit: 2500 posts :D

Leon

12-01-2008, 11:13 AM

The marks were off just about a 1/10 of an inch.

I thought about marking some marks in the ends of the rods. We'll see once I start using them more.

Quick281

12-01-2008, 06:44 PM

Very cool Leon, sorry I didn't see the pics further up the thread.

I am sorta anal about things and I hate the thought that my axle could be misaligned. I stopped measuring from the marks and using a ruler to measure from both the the out edge of the swing arm, and the furthest inside edge of the swing arm. Seems to work, but I noticed today that it is out of alignment.

OneSickPsycho

12-01-2008, 09:27 PM

So if the belt stretches it never gets corrected? You just replace the belt?

No... the belt doesn't stretch. It never needs adjusted or corrected. If anything, it would break and Buell would replace it for free. Lifetime belt. I've seen guys on the Buell forums with 50k miles, original belt... In fact, never read of anyone except those with the pre-'05 belts (non-lifetime) having any breakage issues. Put that in your Yamaha pipe and smoke it.

pickle.of.doom

12-02-2008, 02:17 PM

I still just use The String Method (http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/sportryderswheelalignmentmethod.shtml) once on each bike, then I know whether the alignment marks are on or not. 2 of my bikes are, 1 isn't.

Leon

12-02-2008, 02:27 PM

I've used the string method before and I'm not a fan.

Yamerhaw

12-04-2008, 01:10 PM

i'll join in on the vortex sucks, bought some "once" 4kmiles on a gsxr 750 screw that

Homeslice

12-05-2008, 09:03 PM

AFAM hard-anodized FTW, Vortex blows chunks

JoshuaTree

12-05-2008, 11:13 PM

Chains? Belts? Alignment procedures? What are these things? :idk:

:poke:

redflip

OneSickPsycho

12-06-2008, 09:36 AM

Chains? Belts? Alignment procedures? What are these things? :idk:

:poke:

redflip

Lighter than your shaft drive... that's what they are.

JoshuaTree

12-06-2008, 09:59 AM

Lighter than your shaft drive... that's what they are.

True, but not as 'certain' a power delivery setup. Definitely lower daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance requirements... :p

OneSickPsycho

12-06-2008, 10:00 AM

True, but not as 'certain' a power delivery setup. Definitely lower daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance requirements... :p

Not than the belt on the Buell.

Here is it's maintenance schedule:

.

marko138

12-06-2008, 10:15 AM

Lighter than your shaft drive... that's what they are.

And silky smooth. Atleast on the Buell.

JoshuaTree

12-06-2008, 10:52 AM

True that the Buell and other similar belt drive systems are 'maintenance free', but only as a result of truly modern material science. Historically speaking, shaft drive bikes have been lower cost to maintain and have longer service intervals. Even BMW has moved to belt drive systems for their F800 street bikes. :shrug: Chains (and perhaps belts, but I do not have engineering data to 'prove it') are more efficient at transmitting torque, but the loss is not material to the power usage of a typical street bike.

YMMV... :)

OneSickPsycho

12-08-2008, 07:01 AM

JoshuaTree

12-08-2008, 07:09 AM

If you're looking at power loss through the mechanics of the system, the hierarchy goes (least to most) shaft, belt, chain. Beamer prolly went to shaft because their riders don't care about weight. :)

Actually, the choice was made based on the 'state of the art' in chains all those years ago. Most modern bike riders are spoiled by O/X/W/Whatever-Ring Chains that maintain their lubrication internally and benefit from truly modern metallurgy. As for weight, well saving ounces on a bike is not a consideration for most BMW riders - we prefer adding things to our bikes that make us safer and more comfortable. Its what allows us to keep riding when you 'weight' and 'style' freaks park your bikes for the "winter"... :) We just keep riding... redflip

marko138

12-08-2008, 08:31 AM

Actually, the choice was made based on the 'state of the art' in chains all those years ago. Most modern bike riders are spoiled by O/X/W/Whatever-Ring Chains that maintain their lubrication internally and benefit from truly modern metallurgy. As for weight, well saving ounces on a bike is not a consideration for most BMW riders - we prefer adding things to our bikes that make us safer and more comfortable. Its what allows us to keep riding when you 'weight' and 'style' freaks park your bikes for the "winter"... :) We just keep riding... redflip
I can understand that...but I don't park mine for winter b/c of 'weight' or 'style'. :lol: I park b/c its FUCKING COLD outside...and I don't like riding a single track vehicle on snow and ice....they handle funny.