2 times 3.14 (Pie or however it is spelled in Greek) = circumference
*****apple pie… mmmm*****
Little pulley in front, big one on back.
Then across jackshaft and again little pulley in front, big one on back.
The Jackshaft itself in the middle does nothing just transfers rotation.
Each little to big gears down. Multiply the both to get the result.
Anyway like to see what you’re going to decide on.
About the idler pulley I'm not sure it makes that much difference? Someone who built this better to ask.
One thing is for sure. I measured the inside length for a v-belt on my motor bike and use fine wire down in the crevice of the pulleys to transfer to measuring tape.
I had the motor on the mount all the way back to make the shortest measurement. When the belt stretches some as normal I wanted to be able to take up slack.
Here is the clincher. When I gave the measurements and got the guy to order over the phone, he negated to tell me that the belt specifications on length were for the outside of the belt. I measured the inside!
I think if I remember then it was too short, then I thought I also have adjustment on the jack shaft, but that would just throw the whole idea of having adjustment when the v-belt and chain (I have both) stretch due to age.
A calculator to do the conversion I may have seen online for inner to outer belt equivalents, but never got the idea of how to use it.
I just went into an auto supply store with the motor bike, and went behind the counter in back, the guy there allowed me to, I asked. I kept trying on various belts and got what I needed.
I’m not using a sheave, so I not sure what kind of belt is used, but I just felt that you get the right length and not have to return stuff. Heck remember when one of that Mars Landing went awry due to units of measure differences!
Here is one more thought. In design of the idler pulley you may want to make it possible to have some range of adjustment when engaged, so that when the belt stretches it can go a while longer if it is not yet so worn and frayed.
It is already inherent of the idler pulley anyway that I think you can do that easily.
Measure Twice