One of the indies here has a bad rep and not much business happening, drugs are involved. The other I used to do business with until they overcharged me without doing any work. I hired em to juice up the carb on my vulcan (before I figured out how to do it myself, thanks to these $hitheads). They literally billed me without even taking the tank off, and on the way home a fuel line started gushing gas all over the place, damn near set me on fire, then they charged me to haul it back, but fixed the hose for free...

One harley dealer has a bad reputation for trying to squeeze more out of customers, drastically upping the price above what they tell customers a job is gonna cost, several friends of mine included. For example, my one pal called to get the cost of a wash and wax on his night train, they said $49.99. He returned the next day to pay his bill and pick his bike up, it suddenly jumped to $150, citing mechanics labor cost. I called this place when my belt broke earlier today to see if they had one in stock, they told me $250 before tax, just to buy the belt.

The other harley dealer are real professionals and good people to deal with, and they get a bajillion times the business of the other place, and that is who I'm gonna go to.

 

It's involved enough to replace any marginal or questionable parts while it is apart. Replace inexpensive items while in it as well just because it sucks to have to get in there again.

I would go with an OEM belt from the dealer. The original lasted this long.

One of the things that Sportsters have a big advantage over big twins is the belt replacement. I converted my 1991 Sportster from chain to belt very easily. I guess I am getting off track.

Detailing a bike costs about $150 everywhere in my area, regardless if it is the dealer, Indy, or a detailing shop.

 

As others have said, it is a fairly involved project, but could be done with a Factory Service Manual and some common sense. The dealership is an option, but at 23 years old and over 50k miles, they are going to find more things while they are in there. Swing arm bearings for sure, primary and clutch will be reviewed. You gotta do it, but eyes wide open, might get pricey fast. But if the dealer is reputable, these are things that need to be addressed at your bike's age and mileage. Good luck.

 

I'm gonna derail the hell out of this thread for a minute...

So, sprocket?




Sprocket?





Sprocket?

 

A splined shaft has teeth. Would that make it a sprocket too?

 

whoever suggested installing a used belt should be banned from giving advice.
yeah, it might work out, but to go through that much labor and use second hand parts that may not show trouble to the naked eye is pure foolishness.

 

The dealers around here wont work on the older bikes. I went to pick up my bike from the Indy after my dyno tune and he had a sign up saying they will no longer work on bikes older than 2000 and carbureted. Either way stock belt all day.

 

Sprocket for a chain, pulley for a belt.

 

I just came here to post that! Thanks man.

 

I just called the good dealer, they said $225 for the belt price, they're gonna call back with an estimate shortly, and it'll be May 7th before they could start the job.