[jimmontg]

Having studied some engineering, any transmission reduces power from the engine or motor, direct drive doesn't have any loss. The drive belt represents an energy transfer point, the most efficient in a vehicle is a chain drive motorcycle, and a stick is better than an automatic transmission. It's an interesting field, I used to work at a company that made race car transmissions and learned a lot, including heat treating gears.lol

I like your modification. Looks good and reduces extra bearing and weight I would guess without the pulleys, less to go wrong.