EVO All Evo Model Discussion

belt drive problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2014 | 04:42 PM
  #1  
brenthupp's Avatar
brenthupp
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: florida
Default belt drive problems

I have a 79 flh I changed the primary from chain to belt . the belts keep breaking I went thru 4 in one year. Its a 80 inch but stroked it to 96 inch . I thought heat was doing it so put slotted primary cover. But it broke again and it was cold out I'm running a inter primary. I just can't figure out why they keep breaking any ideas anyone .
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2014 | 07:21 PM
  #2  
Tailbreaker's Avatar
Tailbreaker
Road Warrior
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 439
From: Mount Rainier, Washington
Default

Originally Posted by brenthupp
I have a 79 flh I changed the primary from chain to belt . the belts keep breaking I went thru 4 in one year. Its a 80 inch but stroked it to 96 inch . I thought heat was doing it so put slotted primary cover. But it broke again and it was cold out I'm running a inter primary. I just can't figure out why they keep breaking any ideas anyone .
my first thought was misalignment but if you are running an inner primary then that shouldn't be a factor. Over tensioned maybe?
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2014 | 07:25 PM
  #3  
D_gyver's Avatar
D_gyver
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 913
Likes: 5
From: indiana
Default

what size belt if its the 1.5 you need a carbon belt and you need to check tension regularly my shovel has one and I go thru 1 belt every 2 years
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2014 | 07:33 PM
  #4  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Harley tried running belts from the factory in the mid '70s but found unless alignment was spot on, breakage was an issue. Without finding a suitable for mass production fix, they stopped.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2014 | 10:00 PM
  #5  
98hotrodfatboy's Avatar
98hotrodfatboy
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 7,591
From: Poolville
Default Prmary belt

What manufacturer are you using for you primary drive and what kind of hp n tq are you putting to it?. I am using a BDL Brute III extreme with a 1 5/8" Kevlar belt and so far no problems. 97 HP n 97 TQ. Alignment is critical and spacers are necessary at times to get the proper alignment. A total of a 1/2" of belt flection should be achievable (up and down) with some effort. Aren't your trans and engine separated. Make sure the are aligned properly.
 

Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Dec 16, 2014 at 10:02 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 05:37 AM
  #6  
busterman2's Avatar
busterman2
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
Default

Years ago I converted a 1978 FLH to belt and found out many frames on AMF series Harleys have engine and trans mounts which are not in alignment from factory. The instructions from the belt conversion supplier also told me this is a common problem prior to installation. Very common for trans mount to be on different plane than engine mount and then trans mount to not be parallel with where rear axle should be in swingarm. You may have to shim one side or the other on trans mount.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tengraver
Shovelhead
43
Jan 6, 2022 03:39 PM
controlsct
General Harley Davidson Chat
9
Nov 15, 2015 07:08 PM
atengnr
Shovelhead
14
Apr 23, 2015 07:56 PM
jpooch00
Shovelhead
7
Jul 9, 2007 05:11 AM
DirtyWhiteBoy
Shovelhead
3
Apr 9, 2007 09:45 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE