89 FXSTC - Original Rear Drive Belt. Should I change?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Hello all,
I have an 89 Softail Custom that still has the original rear drive belt on it. Although it is around 30 years old, it looks fine with no dry-rot or anything.
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I don't want to be stranded somewhere if the thing snaps on me due to age?
How long age wise do these things last?
Mileage wise I have about 23,000. I've heard these things can last forever.
Should I change it now or could I still get a few more riding years out of it?
Thanks
I have an 89 Softail Custom that still has the original rear drive belt on it. Although it is around 30 years old, it looks fine with no dry-rot or anything.
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I don't want to be stranded somewhere if the thing snaps on me due to age?
How long age wise do these things last?
Mileage wise I have about 23,000. I've heard these things can last forever.
Should I change it now or could I still get a few more riding years out of it?
Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
I’ e heard more stories ith final drive pulleys wearing out that the belts.
just keep it properly adjusted. That’s something that becomes less frequent with milage.
new belts seem to eed it more
just keep it properly adjusted. That’s something that becomes less frequent with milage.
new belts seem to eed it more
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
My 1990 has over 74,000 miles and it's just started to show wear on the pulley. No warning signs, I just happened to notice it when I was adjusting my rear shock. Since we're planning some long trips this summer it's going to get replaced. I paid about $750 for a belt and pulleys from Harley, plus I bought a Cometic primary gasket kit, shifter lever and oil.
For some reason, I think the outdated parts are still available, so if you ask for 1990 parts, that is what you may get.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 17
From: Nevada
Hello all,
I have an 89 Softail Custom that still has the original rear drive belt on it. Although it is around 30 years old, it looks fine with no dry-rot or anything.
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I don't want to be stranded somewhere if the thing snaps on me due to age?
How long age wise do these things last?
Mileage wise I have about 23,000. I've heard these things can last forever.
Should I change it now or could I still get a few more riding years out of it?
Thanks
I have an 89 Softail Custom that still has the original rear drive belt on it. Although it is around 30 years old, it looks fine with no dry-rot or anything.
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I don't want to be stranded somewhere if the thing snaps on me due to age?
How long age wise do these things last?
Mileage wise I have about 23,000. I've heard these things can last forever.
Should I change it now or could I still get a few more riding years out of it?
Thanks
I ended having to replace my belt because the OEM transmission pulley lost its outer retaining ring. This ring helps keep the belt on the pulley. My belt ended up getting chewed up between the transmission pulley and the inner primary. I ended up buying a Karata brand transmission pulley on eBay for cheap. I also like this design because the belt retaining ring isn't just a "snap on" type but actually is held on with 4 allen bolts. So now I don't ever have to worry about the belt coming off again from loss of a retaining ring.
I ended up rebuilding mine from the ground up after smoking the top end of the motor, so if you ever have any other questions please feel to hit me up. There isn't anything I don't know about these bikes.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Thank you all so much for all of those answers. Very good and interesting information. I will have to keep that pulley defect in mind. To be honest, I think Im more concerned about that than the belt now.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I also have a 1989 FXSTC. I'd like to see a picture of it. Don't see a lot of those anymore. If you don't see and dry rotting or cracking on the best that is good. You also want to make sure that the teeth on the belt are worn down either. Harley claims that a drive belt that is properly maintained and doesn't become damage from debris can last lifetime of the bike. However how long a "lifetime" is depends on the person saying it. Keep an eye only both your transmission and rear drive pulleys. If they start to wear, then they will start to wear your belt down.
I ended having to replace my belt because the OEM transmission pulley lost its outer retaining ring. This ring helps keep the belt on the pulley. My belt ended up getting chewed up between the transmission pulley and the inner primary. I ended up buying a Karata brand transmission pulley on eBay for cheap. I also like this design because the belt retaining ring isn't just a "snap on" type but actually is held on with 4 allen bolts. So now I don't ever have to worry about the belt coming off again from loss of a retaining ring.
I ended up rebuilding mine from the ground up after smoking the top end of the motor, so if you ever have any other questions please feel to hit me up. There isn't anything I don't know about these bikes.
I ended having to replace my belt because the OEM transmission pulley lost its outer retaining ring. This ring helps keep the belt on the pulley. My belt ended up getting chewed up between the transmission pulley and the inner primary. I ended up buying a Karata brand transmission pulley on eBay for cheap. I also like this design because the belt retaining ring isn't just a "snap on" type but actually is held on with 4 allen bolts. So now I don't ever have to worry about the belt coming off again from loss of a retaining ring.
I ended up rebuilding mine from the ground up after smoking the top end of the motor, so if you ever have any other questions please feel to hit me up. There isn't anything I don't know about these bikes.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I also have a 1989 FXSTC. I'd like to see a picture of it. Don't see a lot of those anymore. If you don't see and dry rotting or cracking on the best that is good. You also want to make sure that the teeth on the belt are worn down either. Harley claims that a drive belt that is properly maintained and doesn't become damage from debris can last lifetime of the bike. However how long a "lifetime" is depends on the person saying it. Keep an eye only both your transmission and rear drive pulleys. If they start to wear, then they will start to wear your belt down.
I ended having to replace my belt because the OEM transmission pulley lost its outer retaining ring. This ring helps keep the belt on the pulley. My belt ended up getting chewed up between the transmission pulley and the inner primary. I ended up buying a Karata brand transmission pulley on eBay for cheap. I also like this design because the belt retaining ring isn't just a "snap on" type but actually is held on with 4 allen bolts. So now I don't ever have to worry about the belt coming off again from loss of a retaining ring.
I ended up rebuilding mine from the ground up after smoking the top end of the motor, so if you ever have any other questions please feel to hit me up. There isn't anything I don't know about these bikes.
I ended having to replace my belt because the OEM transmission pulley lost its outer retaining ring. This ring helps keep the belt on the pulley. My belt ended up getting chewed up between the transmission pulley and the inner primary. I ended up buying a Karata brand transmission pulley on eBay for cheap. I also like this design because the belt retaining ring isn't just a "snap on" type but actually is held on with 4 allen bolts. So now I don't ever have to worry about the belt coming off again from loss of a retaining ring.
I ended up rebuilding mine from the ground up after smoking the top end of the motor, so if you ever have any other questions please feel to hit me up. There isn't anything I don't know about these bikes.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 17
From: Nevada
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 17
From: Nevada
Thanks, man! Yeah it sucks they aren't readily available anymore. For the Evo's its cycle shack part# PHD-323. Says up to 1994. Maybe a google search will turn up something. Or maybe do a saved search on ebay for the that part number.