belt drive ...what year did they begin ?

zukeeper · #1 08-15-2006, 07:41 PM

I am looking at a 98 wideglide (well , looking at pictures of it at least) I think we have struck a deal but I forgot to ask if it was belt or chain drive and of course that is one of the things I can't tell in the pictures. It is around 4 1/2 hours from me and just trying to find out all I can. I only know shovelheads really , looking for something with shocks

for a change of pace and this bike cuaght my eye. Can someone help me out ?? He is at work now or I would call hime back.

edit,
after some photoshop work it looks like a belt drive

man4mopar · #2 08-15-2006, 08:10 PM

Long time ago is all I know. The 98 WG would be belt drive factory, so unless someone changed it, it would be belt.

zukeeper · #3 08-15-2006, 08:51 PM

thank you sir !!

AZ Rider · #4 08-15-2006, 09:23 PM

I believe by 1992 all of the Harleys were belt drive.

I know the '84 FLH Electra Glide had belt drive. The '88 FLHS also had belt drive so I'd say most Harleys have had belt drive since the mid to late 80's.

[8D]

springer_ · #5 08-15-2006, 09:33 PM

The first Belt drive was in 1903. The modern Harley (oxymoron) introduced the Rear belt drive in the 1981 FXB Sturgis. The 82 FLH Classic was next. Then the 85 or 86 FXR. The last big twin to get the rear belt was the 86 Softail. I'm pretty sure anyways but if not someone will come along and correct me

AZ Rider · #6 08-15-2006, 09:36 PM

Indeed the early Harleys were belt drive until about 1915.

[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

WgSkee · #7 08-15-2006, 09:45 PM

For the first ten years, HD used a leather belt drive, as most all of the motorcycle built back then did..LOL..By the late '70's, they had a conversion kit for a toothed belt drive for the primary and final transmission. The new FXB Sturgis of 1980 was the first production motorcycle to use a toothed belt....

springer_ how about a compromise..LOL.. My HD Encyclopedia said '80-'81 works for me..LOL

springer_ · #8 08-16-2006, 05:32 PM

Like I said .... someone will come along and correct me. I was working from memory.

They say you lose 2 things when you get older, your memory and ........ I forget the other one.

WgSkee · #9 08-16-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

hey say you lose 2 things when you get older, your memory and ........ I forget the other one.

springer_....Gezzz... I found out what the other thing is.... What used to watch me shave... Now watches me tie my shoes....LOL