So on my way to bike night at a local diner, my drive belt broke on my 1996 Road King. How sunk am I with getting that fixed? There aren't any indie shops around here that aren't sketchy, just two Harley dealers, one of which has a very bad rep. From what I gather this isn't something to be taken lightly.

 

It's a fairly involved job. Inner primary has to come off. Maybe the swingarm, although some say they can get the new one on without taking it off. If the pulleys are worn, they should be replaced. I am of the belief that you should replace both pulleys when you do a belt, but some don't. Use quality parts.

 

Yea, and the swingarm. And as long as the pulleys aren't grooved from belt wear I'd reuse them.

Also, nothing wrong with a nice cheap used belt on eBay as long as the pics are clear enough to show all the teeth. I've gotten many miles out of used belts before.

 

Yeah I checked the pulleys, they're smooth, no toothiness as people have suggested. I'm willing to bet it was the original belt from 1996, and the engine has been hopped up, because this bike is pretty damned strong. I was in the process of passing someone when it snapped. I'd thought I wrecked my transmission, until I pulled over and looked behind my saddlebag. Should I buy an aftermarket upgrade?

 

What's the mileage? That's what will tell you if the pulleys need R&R too and yes they do wear in less than obvious ways the novice won't see. Isn't about the " toothiness " the actual pocket the belt rides in deepens and gets wider and stresses the belt teeth, sharp looking "toothiness" is very badly worn, long past replacement time. Gates or factory poly belt not the cheaper rubber ones. I'd at least change the trans pulley while in there, rear is easy to do later.

 

About 54K miles.

 

As has been mentioned in the past in this forum, If it has teeth....it is a sprocket.
We should strive to use the correct terminology.

 

Outer and inner primary have to come off. The swingarm needs to come off. Hopefully the shaft for the swingarm is not seized in the transmission housing. While it is apart you might want to change out the cleveblocks in the swingarm

 

I'd do them or at least the front while it's down that far.

 

It is an involved job, but you can do it. If you can't, at least you know what needs to be done. Talk to an Indie shop and get a quote. How are they sketchy? You've had some work done before? You can tell us the quote and get an idea if that's in the ball park. I can tell you parts & labor can range from $600-$1K. Here's a rough break down: front pulley/sprocket- $40, rear pulley/sprocket-$170, Gates belt-$150, associated gaskets and seals- $50. Add the hourly labor cost, and you will have a good ballpark price. Good luck.