Belt Drive Conversion kit.
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
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Belt Drive Conversion kit.
I was wondering if anyone knew of a conversion kit for an 89' sportster from chain to belt? I found on one in V twin, but they quit making it as of January of this year. Any help would be appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: NC....Charlotte
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 30
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What is your reasoning for the change over?
I'm a newbie to motorcyles but I'd love to hear why you feel changing to a belt is better?
I just got a 1997 EVO sporty, had it two months and the stupid belt snapped. I wasn't riding it but my friend was coming off a busy highway into a parking lot, thank god it didn't snap on the highway, at highway speeds that could have been bad. He's been on a bike all his life so he was able to control the situation, but he was going at a good clip when it snapped and downshifting...I don't know if I would have handled things as well having so little experience on a motorcycle.
The annoying part is I just picked up the used bike about two months ago from my local harley dealership and the dealership didn't change the belt...it could have actually been the original belt! The tow truck guy who owns harleys himself said the rubber on the belt was crystalized and should have been changed awhile ago if not at the dealership when they fixed it up for resale.
I called the dealership who said they never change those when they come in used and basically told me to go jump in the lake. I asked them why they would not change the belt on a used sporty when there are sooooo very many complaints about snapping belts online. I asked them to at least give me a good discount (they want 300 bucks for a belt installed, that's ridiculous) but they refused to do that either. The salesman was very nice and he tried, but it was not his decision; I still don't feel they treated me right.
I'm tempted to bring the local consumer protection into this but I also don't want to annoy the local dealership since the next closest dealership is 50 miles up a busy road (but I do have two other choices for repairs nearby and they are both supposed to be good people and a whole lot cheaper than the dealership too!). Is there a corporate complaint number for Harley itself? Where can I find that...I think I should at least bring it to their attention. With harley's money problems I'd think they'd be paying a bit more attention to upset customers...even if it is a used bike and not new. My kung fu seifu told me that most of the harley dealerships in pinellas and pasco are pretty much owned by the same powers and they don't have the best rep for certain issues. I am just convinced they should have changed that belt.....
In my mind, since chains are far more resilient (but from what I understand need a bit more maintenance) I'd think a chain is better. My experienced friend (who raced for years) tells me there is quite a bit of difference in the way a chain driven bike reacts in certain situations from how a belt driven bike reacts.
So I'd love to hear opinions of why you think a drive belt is better than a chain? It looks like the belt replacement on the 97 sporty is not too horribly difficult because it's on the right side on my bike but I'd still hate to be stuck in BF nowhere with a broken belt and possibly no cell phone service (that's why my portable ham radio goes with me if I'm going someplace isolated on the bike). I've seen those emergency belt kits and that may be something I get at some point...hopefully that would be enough to limp to the next town or gas station or at least to where the cell phone works again..LOL.
I just got a 1997 EVO sporty, had it two months and the stupid belt snapped. I wasn't riding it but my friend was coming off a busy highway into a parking lot, thank god it didn't snap on the highway, at highway speeds that could have been bad. He's been on a bike all his life so he was able to control the situation, but he was going at a good clip when it snapped and downshifting...I don't know if I would have handled things as well having so little experience on a motorcycle.
The annoying part is I just picked up the used bike about two months ago from my local harley dealership and the dealership didn't change the belt...it could have actually been the original belt! The tow truck guy who owns harleys himself said the rubber on the belt was crystalized and should have been changed awhile ago if not at the dealership when they fixed it up for resale.
I called the dealership who said they never change those when they come in used and basically told me to go jump in the lake. I asked them why they would not change the belt on a used sporty when there are sooooo very many complaints about snapping belts online. I asked them to at least give me a good discount (they want 300 bucks for a belt installed, that's ridiculous) but they refused to do that either. The salesman was very nice and he tried, but it was not his decision; I still don't feel they treated me right.
I'm tempted to bring the local consumer protection into this but I also don't want to annoy the local dealership since the next closest dealership is 50 miles up a busy road (but I do have two other choices for repairs nearby and they are both supposed to be good people and a whole lot cheaper than the dealership too!). Is there a corporate complaint number for Harley itself? Where can I find that...I think I should at least bring it to their attention. With harley's money problems I'd think they'd be paying a bit more attention to upset customers...even if it is a used bike and not new. My kung fu seifu told me that most of the harley dealerships in pinellas and pasco are pretty much owned by the same powers and they don't have the best rep for certain issues. I am just convinced they should have changed that belt.....
In my mind, since chains are far more resilient (but from what I understand need a bit more maintenance) I'd think a chain is better. My experienced friend (who raced for years) tells me there is quite a bit of difference in the way a chain driven bike reacts in certain situations from how a belt driven bike reacts.
So I'd love to hear opinions of why you think a drive belt is better than a chain? It looks like the belt replacement on the 97 sporty is not too horribly difficult because it's on the right side on my bike but I'd still hate to be stuck in BF nowhere with a broken belt and possibly no cell phone service (that's why my portable ham radio goes with me if I'm going someplace isolated on the bike). I've seen those emergency belt kits and that may be something I get at some point...hopefully that would be enough to limp to the next town or gas station or at least to where the cell phone works again..LOL.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I'm a newbie to motorcyles but I'd love to hear why you feel changing to a belt is better?
I just got a 1997 EVO sporty, had it two months and the stupid belt snapped. I wasn't riding it but my friend was coming off a busy highway into a parking lot, thank god it didn't snap on the highway, at highway speeds that could have been bad. He's been on a bike all his life so he was able to control the situation, but he was going at a good clip when it snapped and downshifting...I don't know if I would have handled things as well having so little experience on a motorcycle.
I just got a 1997 EVO sporty, had it two months and the stupid belt snapped. I wasn't riding it but my friend was coming off a busy highway into a parking lot, thank god it didn't snap on the highway, at highway speeds that could have been bad. He's been on a bike all his life so he was able to control the situation, but he was going at a good clip when it snapped and downshifting...I don't know if I would have handled things as well having so little experience on a motorcycle.
The belts, like your tires, are however subject dry rot with age. A 12+ year old belt has simply run out of time.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Belts are cleaner, last longer and have less drag than chains and are much lighter than a driveshaft. Sounds like you may want to visit your other 2 local Indy shops and see what they are like. A dealer that has that attitude towards someone who just dropped a couple thousand on a bike doesn't sound like a place I'd spend much time or money in...
Carl,
N9MXY
Carl,
N9MXY
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