Hi everyone

I just bought a 2009 Road King with 50,000 miles and I'm getting all the maintenance done. The drive belt is loose (about 1" of play) and the adjusters are almost at end of its range. The belt looks to be in good shape. What do you think?

 

New belt

 

Time for a new belt.

 

are you sure you are adjusting properly...according to manual, turning the cams against the stops.
( are you new to these machines or working on them?- I can;t guess your experience level so I have to be very general)

2.) possible the previous owner changed pulleys?


if so...what else has been done?

you may want to spend a little more to have an experienced tech check out the bike for any potential trouble spots.


over my 3 belt drive bikes, I have not seen any of my belts stretch like that- I don;t think the fibers would allow it.

replacing the belt requires removal of the primary drive ( and inner case) and the swingarm. A big job.

it is not unusual for belts to last over 100K.
I replaced my 95 FLHTC belt at about 70K as I was replacing the swingarm bushings and was in there anyway.

Mike

 

Did someone change pulleys? Belts don't stretch.

 

You said the adjusters are "almost at the end of their range".....it doesn't take much movement of the adjusters to take up slack.

 

What he said.

Adjust and see if you can remove the slack. If not, install a new belt or ride with 1". Simple choices.

 

What THEY said.

 

Great advice, everyone. I'll try to adjust it out. I'm a pretty experienced mechanic, but this is only my second Harley and my first touring. I've got the service manual and am pretty sure I'm capable of changing the belt if need be. It's just odd, because the belt looks fine and I didn't think belts stretched either. When I got the bike it was all stock as far as I know. The tires have been changed and its possible the pulley was, it just doesn't seem likely, but I can count the teeth anyway. Thanks for the help and I'll post back after I adjust it and let you all know what the result was!

 

some people change pulleys and wind up with a belt that is just a little bit off. they slot the swing arm and build up the adjuster stop to make it work..