belt drive

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Jul 21, 2005 | 12:40 AM

riverman

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 147

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From: Southwest Missouri

belt drive

So how many miles can I expect out of this belt? Mine is on a 98 883 w/21K miles. It looks ok. No cracks. No obvious wear patterns. Taking it to stugis. Should a pack a spare? I have not owned the bike long. From all I have been into the maintenance has been decent, but I have no documentation as to any particular shop (HD or otherwise) that did it. I suspect prior owner (original owner) did his own. Should it go 30K, 40K, 50K? I don't really want to be shopping for a belt along the interstate in South Dakota.

Jul 21, 2005 | 12:43 AM

HDF Tech

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From:

RE: belt drive

I don't think they have an expiration on them, I really think the style of riding has a lot to do with it more than anything else. Stone damage usually takes it's toll and dirt roads as well as gravel, but all in all , they get some great miles out most of them.

Jul 21, 2005 | 01:08 AM

John TN

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 21,949

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From: My house

RE: belt drive

TC covered it pretty well, I will add proper slack/tension adjustment can make a difference as well, on the life of the belt. It still amazes me that they hold up like they do, I remember the first time I saw one, I thought to myself that won't last long, boy was I wrong.

John TN

Jul 21, 2005 | 01:44 AM

1200c

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,334

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RE: belt drive

You can get 30K out of a good chain. You should expect 70-100K out of a belt. Belts are called "maintenance-free" for a good reason. The one thing that can kill a belt quickly is gravel. If you get a rock stuck in there, then it can shred within a few hours.

Jul 21, 2005 | 09:26 PM

riverman

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 147

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From: Southwest Missouri

RE: belt drive

Thanks for the info. that makes me feel a little better. I'll check the tension again this weekend. First one of these new fangled belt things i've had.

Jul 21, 2005 | 09:34 PM

mikeisglidn

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 7,954

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From: jacksonville, nc

RE: belt drive

if your going to pack a spare belt youll need to pack a jack, and a crap load of spare tools!!

Jul 22, 2005 | 12:23 PM

billnourse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,934

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From: Bloomfield, NM

RE: belt drive

I got about 65,000 out of the Roadking. Wife had 47,000 on the Lowrider when we sold it.

If you are going to carry a spare belt, it would just about have to be a temporary. HD has them. To do a belt change on the road will require a bunch of tools. More than you could carry on a Sportster with any degree of convience.

Regards,

Bill