my 87 sportster was actually modded from chain to belt drive. So do you determine the belt by the number of teeth on the rear sprocket?


Thanks

steve

 

No. The number of teeth on a belt is a function of the number of teeth on each pulley, plus the distance they are apart from each other. I don't know of an easy way to work out the final number. For bikes that came with a belt drive the number of teeth required is easy, as H-D has worked that out for us!

Do you have the old belt? If so simply count them! Tie a piece of string around it at one tooth, so you know where you started.

It is quite likely a PO has retro-fitted later parts. Belt drive was introduced on Sportsters in 1991 and used a 128T belt, with 29T and 61T pulleys. If your bike has those sizes you have your answer!

 

I guess the mod was done a couple owners back. I do have the belt. I know some convert from belt to chain. But from chain to belt is new to me.Thanks for the great info. And just taking the time to help out.

 

I believe the pitch and width is a standard 14mm 1-1/8", the number of teeth will have to be counted to get the matching belt

 

Yes, in fact tooth profile hasn't changed since H-D introduced them, even though belt width has reduced at intervals over the years. I'm running a 1 1/8" belt on my original '90 Glide's trans pulley, which originally had a 1 1/2" belt.

 

So in 94 they "improved" the oil tank..what exactly did they change? Just curios since this will be another part which needs replaced.

 

They changed the frame as well as the oil tank in '94. Hopefully one of our experts can explain what they did that for!

 

I was just curious because the service manual states that the drain tube is located towards the bottom of the frame on the 87. Mine is hooked to the battery box like it shows for later models.I need to replace it do to a broken mounting bracket as well as all of the oil lines.

 

At the time your bike (and my Glide) was made things were in great flux at the MoCo and they did odd things at times. Also your bike may have been built late '87 and hence be an early '88 model year? You can learn more if you visit the H-D website and register your VIN. Go to the Owners tab, where you should be able to download details of your bike at the time it was built.

 

No but in some of the places I hang out it's how I pick my women.