Great idea:
Helpful resources I've been using up to this point in planning:
GT2 Design Manual -
http://www.gates.com/catalogs/file_d...cation_id=2999
Light Power and Precision Design Manual -
http://www.gates.com/catalogs/file_d...cation_id=2999
The main catalog index -
http://www.gates.com/catalogs/index....cation_id=2999
The torque/HP tables have been especially helpful, and can probably go a ways in explaining ratcheting (assuming proper tension/spacing).
The Gates FIRST page also has some good basic references/calculators -
http://robotics.gatesprograms.com/first