belt guard? is it really needed?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
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From: NJ
belt guard? is it really needed?
i was going to have mine powdered black over the winter. but is the damn thing even needed at all? i never ride a passenger and nothing of mine is anywhere near the belt area.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
You won't need it until the rear tire drops a stone on the belt, and the pulley punches said stone through the belt, or a stone gets wedged between the belt/pulley and the primary case and tears up the belt. Then you'll wish you had kept it.
I've seen both happen (to other peoples bikes) over the years.
I've seen both happen (to other peoples bikes) over the years.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Nov 5, 2014 at 02:27 PM.
Club Member
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From: Idaho
If you're riding and run over a small rock or pebble, and that rock bounces up and gets between the belt and pulley, the belt will snap.
Guaranteed.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
While looking the bike over the service manager said he checked to see if the belt guard was still in place, since if I had removed it, they wouldn't have covered it.
I leave mine on.
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No it isn't, but I had a warranty issue a couple of years ago on another bike where they replaced my belt and rear sprocket at the 1K service since I must have picked up a rock or two. The sprocket was chipped slightly and the belt was starting to fray - to be honest I never even saw it...
While looking the bike over the service manager said he checked to see if the belt guard was still in place, since if I had removed it, they wouldn't have covered it.
I leave mine on.
While looking the bike over the service manager said he checked to see if the belt guard was still in place, since if I had removed it, they wouldn't have covered it.
I leave mine on.
If the OP is referring to the upper belt guard, it is really just there to keep a pant leg from getting caught. If you want to remove that, I say go ahead without any worries. The lower guard (which I'm perfectly comfortable without) is the one that will help to prevent chit from getting between the belt and pulley.
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Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
And yeah, rocks and such can still get in with the guards in place.
Point is, had I removed them I would have been out $1K or more...
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Idaho
Yeah, "chip seal" out the wazoo all over these parts. Risk is too high.