Drivebelt or Not

A decent chain ,well adjusted and with  the ability to pick up a little oil is very reliable and will last for many years .  All you need is a case that only leaks the odd drop of oil  after a run.  Even the "Dry" clutch should be able to cope with a bit of oil and the mild power of an 88. A well set up clutch and box will give a light gearchange and easy to get neutral.Its all do-able.  Can't really comment on belt drives ,but have heard plenty of expensive horror stories and AA recoveries ,and some going back to chain.

I purchased a 1959 Dominator with belt drive already fitted - there are issues to resolve for sure, but the clutch is superb ! Mine has a Commando clutch. This is just so much better and easier to use than the conventional chain driven clutch (I have personal experience of this type on my Model 50).

The issues to resolve:

The chain case, in order to cope with the wide belt drive pulley, protrudes and cannot be pulled fully home. As there is no oil in the chain case leaking is not an issue but it does push the alternator wire hard against the alternator and this wears and can cause a short ! I've solved this by grinding a piece out of the alternator to accomodate the wire and relieve the pressure - this works.

Oil can creep through along the clutch push rod into the clutch which is not desirable. I have addressed this by cutting the push rod in half and fitting a 0.250" ball bearing between the two halves. I have also coated the push rod in heavy duty grease and drilled the breather hole in the gearbox oil filler cover to about 1/16th diameter. This all seems to be working. There are other well documented approaches to resolving this problem.

Hope this helps you with your decision.

Mike 

Don't use a ball bearing it can split the end of the push rod. Better to use a roller, even better is to fit three .

The Commando type of diaphragm clutch and belt drive works like a dream on my ES2 plunger.

BUT...

As Mike alludes to, there is some fettling to do to get it all to fit (some grinding of the stiffening ribs in the chain case to clear the belt)

Also, there is no cush drive in the clutch centre so unless your 88 has one in the rear wheel (not familiar with it) your gearbox is going to get a pummelling. Don't ignore the importance of a cush drive.

Cost for me was about £500 ten years ago