Calling all FatBoy Lo Owners
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Actually...yes! You don't have to change primary fluid anymore. That advantage takes a HELL of a long time to pay for itself, tho, with the cost of adding an OP.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
LOL you had to reach for that one. I could name pros and cons for both, but the real reason is LOOKS! ask the guys that bought em, thats why I would.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Another poster said there were other benefits on the related BDL thread. I think it looks badass, The belt moves even when the bike is standing still? My kids or dogs would be in danger...lol
(i) lower rotating mass (ii) the enclosed belt drive brings the mass of the primary closer to the centerline of the bike for better balance ... a couple of benefits that sold me ...
I think BDL, a well established industry player, is willing to give the buyer a good value ... I think some of the vendors have just been trying to get whatever price 'the market will bear' ... and, when you had a frenzy of outrageous high-dollar choppers a few years back, I guess people were not loath to drop 2-3 large or more for a belt drive ....
I got my setup (enclosed belt drive) for under 550 (forget actual amt paid just now) ....
I think BDL, a well established industry player, is willing to give the buyer a good value ... I think some of the vendors have just been trying to get whatever price 'the market will bear' ... and, when you had a frenzy of outrageous high-dollar choppers a few years back, I guess people were not loath to drop 2-3 large or more for a belt drive ....
I got my setup (enclosed belt drive) for under 550 (forget actual amt paid just now) ....
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 79
The belt always moves. It looks cool, and is not really that noisy, either.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
I got my setup (enclosed belt drive) for under 550 (forget actual amt paid just now) ....
WHAT!!!!! as far as i know the BDL kits go for about 2 grand.
am i wrong? MusicnBikes, do you mind telling us a ballpark of what you paid?????
if these are under 600 bucks im getting one next week!
WHAT!!!!! as far as i know the BDL kits go for about 2 grand.
am i wrong? MusicnBikes, do you mind telling us a ballpark of what you paid?????
if these are under 600 bucks im getting one next week!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: KS
I got my setup (enclosed belt drive) for under 550 (forget actual amt paid just now) ....
WHAT!!!!! as far as i know the BDL kits go for about 2 grand.
am i wrong? MusicnBikes, do you mind telling us a ballpark of what you paid?????
if these are under 600 bucks im getting one next week!
WHAT!!!!! as far as i know the BDL kits go for about 2 grand.
am i wrong? MusicnBikes, do you mind telling us a ballpark of what you paid?????
if these are under 600 bucks im getting one next week!
if you make the change, you gonna sell your primary cover? if so id be interested.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Well, traded in the '04 Road King Classic two weeks ago (motor blew up after 138,000 miles - she died a hero). Here is the new scooter.
All I've done is:
Heritage Bars
Steel Braided Cables
V&H Sig Shots
Stage 1 with Harley Race Tuner
Move front turn signals to forks
Smoke all lenses including tail light
Lay down license plate mount
Only plans I have right now are to remove the reflectors and black out the bolts on the rear fender. I think it will look pretty damn sharp then.
The only thing I miss about the RKC is the stopping power of the dual disc brakes in the front.
A quick cell phone pic -
All I've done is:
Heritage Bars
Steel Braided Cables
V&H Sig Shots
Stage 1 with Harley Race Tuner
Move front turn signals to forks
Smoke all lenses including tail light
Lay down license plate mount
Only plans I have right now are to remove the reflectors and black out the bolts on the rear fender. I think it will look pretty damn sharp then.
The only thing I miss about the RKC is the stopping power of the dual disc brakes in the front.
A quick cell phone pic -
Last edited by slowhand; Jan 22, 2011 at 01:21 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 52
From: Pt. Jeff Sta. L.I., N.Y.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 717
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati
As to the benefits of belt drives... opinions abound. But I can tell you the following from having one on my FXR for years - BDL 3".
1) Lower rotating mass as someone mentioned, and it is instantly noticable in the transfer of power, not even debatable. Think about it, you just lost about 20lbs of mass from the sprockets to the chain.
2) No more primary fluid changes. Maybe not a huge money saver, but time and effort minused over the years makes you smile when it's time. They are virtually maintenance free.
3) Dry clutch, rattles & whines a bit more (or a lot, depending on your tolerance level), but it grabs like hell when set up properly, and it is fully adjustable to your power setup.
4) Put 30K on mine before I sold it, never a hickup, not one adjustment, and half those miles were on Alaskan back roads. I'd like to hear more about these newer 2" belts, but my 3" was tough as nails.
5) If you ever did need to change the belt, it's about a 15 minute deal and can be done on the side of the road with minimal tools.
-----------------------------------------------
To the musicn* bike above ... very nice looking setup !! I love that black case & cover with the polished contrasting aluminum. Not available when I did mine.
1) Lower rotating mass as someone mentioned, and it is instantly noticable in the transfer of power, not even debatable. Think about it, you just lost about 20lbs of mass from the sprockets to the chain.
2) No more primary fluid changes. Maybe not a huge money saver, but time and effort minused over the years makes you smile when it's time. They are virtually maintenance free.
3) Dry clutch, rattles & whines a bit more (or a lot, depending on your tolerance level), but it grabs like hell when set up properly, and it is fully adjustable to your power setup.
4) Put 30K on mine before I sold it, never a hickup, not one adjustment, and half those miles were on Alaskan back roads. I'd like to hear more about these newer 2" belts, but my 3" was tough as nails.
5) If you ever did need to change the belt, it's about a 15 minute deal and can be done on the side of the road with minimal tools.
-----------------------------------------------
To the musicn* bike above ... very nice looking setup !! I love that black case & cover with the polished contrasting aluminum. Not available when I did mine.
Last edited by thealaskan; Jan 22, 2011 at 10:36 PM.