replaced mine on an FXD after 80,000 mi. and ten years. still looked good but I was going on a long trip.

 

everyone makes mistakes , admitting them and makeing things right is a class act.

 

Good thing it wasn't a tool belt that he lost as he was slowing down for the tool booth!

 

First one on my Road King went 55K before I found a rock in the sprocket and it was wearing through the belt. Replaced it then, and the next one broke in 1500 miles. Went back to the Dealer to raise "hell", to no avail. They're guaranteed for 30 days, that's it! I'm now at 67K no problems. Go figure...

 

I have seen Drive belts break from 10 to 100,000 miles. so why is it the dealers fault that your second belt broke??

 

My first belt broke @ 4500 miles. I just broke my second one at 31k miles. I think they have started buying them from China? I have had harleys for years burn outs you name it.. One belt had a hole in it for 10k miles before I had problems. I think Harley should cover them. I am picking my bike up from dealer sometime this week. If it were to break after 1500 miles like the guy above I would never return to that dealer again.

 

My 08 Ultra picked up a rock at 4000 miles in the belt, cut it almost in half... I put the new belt on myself, took me about 12 hours but that was my first belt job.

 

I'll get mine from the shop Monday. I don't use HD shops in my area, only a Indy. He told me about a 3 hour job, he charges actual time and not the book. Been using him for years.
I read threw the Clymers and it was a job I knew I didn't want to do. I'm sure it would have taken me at least 12 hours.

 

I wouldn't change the belt unless it begins tearing, or there is a puncture on the edge. My last bike now has about 120k with its original belt, and in 1998 I found a rock puncture toward the center of the belt. I cleaned it out thoroughly, applied some epoxy (e.g., JB Weld), placed some plastic wrap over the epoxy application on the toothed side, then rolled the belt over the sprocket. Leave for 24 hours and remove the plastic wrap, which keeps the epoxy from sticking to the sprocket. By rolling it over the sprocket the glue forms to the shape of the cogs. That fix has lasted over the years and still looks like it did when applied.

 

The '03 sidecar rig I traded in last fall had over 100k on it and the belt looked fine. Always kept the right tension on it though. Don't let them get loose or they will snap!