@Dano523 posted this pic of his oil filter funnel a few days ago.

I suppose he could own a Sportster in addition to his Touring Model. Since this thread is in the Touring Models sub forum, I assumed he was talking about installing a new belt on a Touring Model. Either way, he never answered my question, so it's left to speculation.

 

Myself as well.......

 

On big twins, the outer primary, compensator, clutch and inner primary chain has to come off, no way around it. Sportsters are a lot easier.

 

That's a Sportster. The belt is on the right side and they have a unitized drivetrain with the engine, primary and trans all in one. This cannot be done on a big twin without removing the primary and the swingarm.

 

And the swingarm also

 

My exact point of posting Doc Harley's video was to clear up the confusion for those who haven't changed a sportster belt in the past. I have done a couple of big twin belts, but haven't done a sportster before.

 

It's been 20 years since I replaced the belt on my 1998 FLHT. I don't recall the exact procedure, but it wasn't necessary to completely remove the swingarm. The procedure created a slight gap between the frame and swingarm. It was necessary to turn the belt sideways to fit through the gap. Anyone else recall doing it this way? When I sold the bike I gave the new owner the service manual, otherwise I would look up the procedure.

 

You might be able to pull the shaft part way out and remove the rubber mount on the left side to get enough room. But if the swingarm has been in the bike as long as the belt I would replace the rubber mounts and the swingarm bushings. Plus that belt is stiff. It's hard to manipulate it much.