20mm belt life
 

I have a 2006 Softail with stock driveline to include engine. How does a 20mm belt's life compare with a 1-1/8" belt?


I recently went to a narrower wheel/tire and have room for a wider belt if there is much to be gained as far as life expectancy of the belt.


I am not planning on changing until I need a new belt if I change then. It looks like I will need a spacer to move the sprocket and belt outboard a bit. There is 5/16" difference in the belts; the sprocket pulley is not that much wider, so 1/4" spacer may do the trick.

Having owned a bike with the original 1 1/2" belt, I'm going to guess that the later narrower belts are at least as good as the previous wide ones. Manufacturing techniques and materials have moved on a lot since the first belt-drive Harleys were introduced in the 1970s! I would observe however that the trikes all come with a 1 1/8" wide belt, so the narrower ones are not considered man enough for them just yet.