Drive/Belt tire clearance
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
In '03 I ordered a new FLHTCI that came with an MT-90-16 rear tire. A popular upgrade back then was to replace that with a new MU-85-16 or wider rear tire. Had it put on and the 1st time I backed up the belt locked the vinyl belt guard against the tire. Apparently it is common for the rear belt to track outside going forward and inside going backwards. Correction was to remove the section of the rear belt guard that was getting pinched. After this I realized there was almost no gap between my belt and rear tire backing up, maybe 3/16" going forward. That was 18 years and maybe 9 tires later my son still runs the Mu-85
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 1,017
From: Lawrenceville Ga.
In '03 I ordered a new FLHTCI that came with an MT-90-16 rear tire. A popular upgrade back then was to replace that with a new MU-85-16 or wider rear tire. Had it put on and the 1st time I backed up the belt locked the vinyl belt guard against the tire. Apparently it is common for the rear belt to track outside going forward and inside going backwards. Correction was to remove the section of the rear belt guard that was getting pinched. After this I realized there was almost no gap between my belt and rear tire backing up, maybe 3/16" going forward. That was 18 years and maybe 9 tires later my son still runs the Mu-85
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Could be but the bike was new and still under warranty so of course I called when it bound up and my dealer explained to me the fix and root cause suggesting it was common. Said they could not trim the guard but told me how. I know that 2003 Harley has always behaved the same with maybe 9 different tires and 2 rear belt changes since.
Ive owned 5 over the years with rear belt drive and I cant confirm but had always assumed they all did it. Sounds like I need to check my '81 Sturgis and '13 Limited the next time I have them on the lift to clean the rear wheel.
Ive owned 5 over the years with rear belt drive and I cant confirm but had always assumed they all did it. Sounds like I need to check my '81 Sturgis and '13 Limited the next time I have them on the lift to clean the rear wheel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
I've seen people with the above problem take a grinder or sander to the side of their rear tire to give it alittle more room. In my opinion it's not worth the extra tire width to do this.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 1,017
From: Lawrenceville Ga.
Kinda sounds counter productive to have the rear pulley guided and the front pulley trying to do it's own thing? 
Last edited by Blue Bob; Mar 2, 2021 at 03:25 PM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: New Hampsha
Maybe I'm not understanding what you're saying, but, if it's cone shaped, why does it matter which direction you spin it in?
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