Belt broke while riding...cause?
Belt broke while riding...cause?
So me and a few buddies were taking a little ride this evening and all of a sudden while down shifting my belt broke on my 00 super glide (owned it for 3 months). As far as I know, no problems with the bike and I havent had one since Ive been riding it.
We were going about 25-30mph slowing down to a stop light, and to anticipate the stop i started to down shift. When i was going from second to first it kind of got a little tight and made a popping noise between 2nd and neutral, the popping was kind of like the gears in the transmission werent really engaging and just bouncing off each other. So i gave it an extra bump to get it into 1st and all of a sudden the belt snapped right off.
Luckily i was able to pull of to a side street and 3 of my buddies stayed with me while the other 2 rode back and got a trailer.
But the question is, what happened? Did the transmission seize and forced the belt to snap off? My buddy said sometimes he doesnt even bother to put his bike into first until hes at a dead stop because his transmission wont let him. The belt looked fairly new and even had the HD symbol visible on it. After I change the belt should I inspect the bike further?
Thanks
We were going about 25-30mph slowing down to a stop light, and to anticipate the stop i started to down shift. When i was going from second to first it kind of got a little tight and made a popping noise between 2nd and neutral, the popping was kind of like the gears in the transmission werent really engaging and just bouncing off each other. So i gave it an extra bump to get it into 1st and all of a sudden the belt snapped right off.
Luckily i was able to pull of to a side street and 3 of my buddies stayed with me while the other 2 rode back and got a trailer.
But the question is, what happened? Did the transmission seize and forced the belt to snap off? My buddy said sometimes he doesnt even bother to put his bike into first until hes at a dead stop because his transmission wont let him. The belt looked fairly new and even had the HD symbol visible on it. After I change the belt should I inspect the bike further?
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
If it's the original belt, that would make it ~11yrs old. It could have just been worn out. It does happen. Other than that, I can't offer any rationale cause. Sorry.
EDIT--- maybe the belt was too tight?
EDIT--- maybe the belt was too tight?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 2
From: Back in NEW YORK!!
Start the bike and put it in gear and let the clutch out. Does the front pulley spin? If it stalls, you've got some tranny problems. Could have just binded up for some unknown reason. Did the bike lunge like the rear momentarily locked up just before it broke? I know it takes some good torque to break these belts, but it's not at all impossible.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
prolly some debrise got in there. don't care about gaurds it happens, my buddies RK went through 2 in 6 months. I am getting ready to do one on my 01 WG I just picked up, it has a bad spot.
possibly
ill try that method.
the bike was just riding normal down the road when it snapped, like i said before the gears grinded a bit and when i put it in first you heard the tranny make a noise kind of like i was down shifting, but a lil louder and the belt broke.
also another question. what is a good replacement belt to get and how many teeth? 133?
Start the bike and put it in gear and let the clutch out. Does the front pulley spin? If it stalls, you've got some tranny problems. Could have just binded up for some unknown reason. Did the bike lunge like the rear momentarily locked up just before it broke? I know it takes some good torque to break these belts, but it's not at all impossible.
ill try that method.
the bike was just riding normal down the road when it snapped, like i said before the gears grinded a bit and when i put it in first you heard the tranny make a noise kind of like i was down shifting, but a lil louder and the belt broke.
also another question. what is a good replacement belt to get and how many teeth? 133?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 886
Likes: 6
Sorry to hear about your belt, hope it was only the belt and you are back on the road quickly. I know my bike has been on the lift for a week. Got a flat, went to replace the the wheel only to see the ***** on the belt were split 90% through (~50K miles on it), neither of the two closest dealerships carried belts in stock so had to order one and it finally came in this past Friday. Spent the day yesterday putting a new one on and now waiting on a new pulley as mine was worn and scalloped on the pulling edges. Changing the belt wasn't too bad. I took pics along the way if your interested.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Does the bike still have the belt guard? Maybe a rock or road debris got up in it and popped a hole in the belt at some time in the past. After riding with a puncture long enough, it might have just given out.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
...We were going about 25-30mph slowing down to a stop light, and to anticipate the stop i started to down shift. When i was going from second to first it kind of got a little tight and made a popping noise between 2nd and neutral...So i gave it an extra bump to get it into 1st and all of a sudden the belt snapped right off...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
If it wasn't debris from the road, then your belt was probably too loose. Belts will give a little laterally but won't stretch at all. If you jumped a tooth, you broke the belt. I keep mine taut, but not tight. 89,000 miles and 11 years old, ( so far!)