I've got a 1993 Electric Glide Classic with 33k miles with the original drive belt. I'm the person who works on my own vehicles though bikes are new to me. Been studying the shop manual.

The owners manual doesn't list a replacement mileage or time.

Are these lifetime belts or how do you know when to change them.

I'm getting a new tire put on in a few weeks.

I'll be taking the tire off myself as I want to be repack the wheels bearings.

Thanks in advance!

 

the job entails removing the inner/ outer primary and clutch and the "rear fork" or swingarm. this is a good time to replace the bushings and mount for the swingarm.

the belts last a looong time, many go well over 100,000 miles.

if the belt is not cracking or frayed, just keep riding

mike

 

+1, it's a big job that I would avoid until it's absolutely necessary. Check the belt for wear and holes and ride it until it tells you to change the belt.

 

Thanks for the inputs.

30,000 miles is short in terms of mileage. But the belt is 18 years old so I'm more concerned about age at this point.

I'll inspect it when I replace the back tire.

Anybody else riding with belts this old?

 

My Heritage is a 1996 with 32k. I'm assuming its the original belt as I bought the bike 2 yrs ago with 10k on it. I just pulled the primary off to address some other issues and gave the belt a good inspection. All is well. It is a big job, but after pulling the primary off last week, I won't be afraid to to change the belt when its needed. Can easily be done in a long afternoon.

 

I'd agree that it is a good time to inspect the belt when you have the rear wheel off to repack the bearings new wheel bearings seals are cheap and a good thing to replace at the time).

The belt on my 89 'glide was 22 years old and had a lot more than 30k on it when I sold it this past winter. Still was in great shape and is still probably going strong.

If you do decide to replace it after inspecting it....

Once the outer and inner primary are pulled , it will be a good time to check the trans shifter shaft for being loose and replace if needed - and if there is oil behind the tranny sprocket the trans main seal and quad seal will most likley need to be replaced at that time as well.

The cleaveblocks on the rear swingarm, if orginal, will be 18 years old and when you pull the swing arm off you should inspect all of them real well. There are a lot of companies that offer upgraded bushings, those upgrades combined with new cleavblocks will make a big improvement in handeling. It's worth it to check out the EVO forum on our site. There are a lot of great threads to read and folks that can help.