Rear Drive Belt Pully Failed
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Rear Drive Belt Pully Failed
Got a sudden supprise at the end of a days ride last week. Returning home on the Freeway at 75mph with my son and nephew in tow on their rice rockets from Napa. Suddenly a very loud and rattling vibration from under the rear of the bike. Then just as suddenly nothing, just coasting along with no power. A quick check of the tach shows rpm's but no drive to the rear wheel.
Coasted off the freeway with blocking help from my partners with the clutch in just to be safe (don't know why but I thougt I blew the trans out the bottom).
A quick inspection showed the rear drive pully was disconnected from the wheel. Well I can tell you that was quite a supprise.
I have just reached 10k miles and followed the maintenance recomendations to the tee (I believe). I have been using a highly reputable Indy shop and talking with them to assure I fully understand the work and service recomendations.
On a call to them Monday morning he indicated this has been a known issue and they have seen it before. Well that only pissed me off more becuse I asked him if they re-torque those bolts at the 5K. He said no it's not in the HD list ?
I wanted to poll all of you to get your input and experience for the maintanance and service of the rear pully. Is it consideres on of the critical fasteners to be checked at 10K ?
Thanks in advance and yes the service manual is ordered and on the way.
Coasted off the freeway with blocking help from my partners with the clutch in just to be safe (don't know why but I thougt I blew the trans out the bottom).
A quick inspection showed the rear drive pully was disconnected from the wheel. Well I can tell you that was quite a supprise.
I have just reached 10k miles and followed the maintenance recomendations to the tee (I believe). I have been using a highly reputable Indy shop and talking with them to assure I fully understand the work and service recomendations.
On a call to them Monday morning he indicated this has been a known issue and they have seen it before. Well that only pissed me off more becuse I asked him if they re-torque those bolts at the 5K. He said no it's not in the HD list ?
I wanted to poll all of you to get your input and experience for the maintanance and service of the rear pully. Is it consideres on of the critical fasteners to be checked at 10K ?
Thanks in advance and yes the service manual is ordered and on the way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
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From: Billings,Mt.
In my '06 service manual it says to "inspect sprockets".It does not say specifically to check the bolts.
I have 32000 miles on mine and never checked those bolts.After reading this I will!
I have 32000 miles on mine and never checked those bolts.After reading this I will!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
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From: australia
My 07 manual
Install five new bolts (with flat washers) to fasten belt sprocket to hub. Alternately tighten bolts to 55-65 ft-lbs (75-88Nm)
My 07 parts catalog
5 x bolts pn 3109 w/washer assembly (5)
I will be adding a drop of loctite to my drive bolts after your experience
Install five new bolts (with flat washers) to fasten belt sprocket to hub. Alternately tighten bolts to 55-65 ft-lbs (75-88Nm)
My 07 parts catalog
5 x bolts pn 3109 w/washer assembly (5)
I will be adding a drop of loctite to my drive bolts after your experience
Last edited by hogbag07; Dec 6, 2008 at 06:05 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
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From: Pacific Northwest
Glad nobody got hurt. Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson - never take for granted that every nut and bolt has been checked. Do it yourself. It's YOUR bike and YOUR life. I've been lucky enough to find an indy that goes way beyond the service "list" when he repairs my bike and I still check critical items for peace of mind (a habit left over from my racing years). The dealer in my area charges a nice chunk of change for "set up" but checks only a handful of nuts and bolts after un-crating a new machine. I've watched them do it. Too bad that's the reality of it. Call it the "It's not my job" syndrome.
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I will admitt I don't know what I don't know. That's why I rely on the service recomendations and made an effort to spend time with the Indy.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
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From: Reno, NV
In general, most shops follow the schedule as written in the HD manual. Good shops, based on experiences, will add extra check points for areas known to be problematic: Evo base gasket leaks, TC88 cam chain shoes, Springer neck bearing adjustment...etc. But unless it specifies it in the HD manual, most shops & dealers do not go outside the normal.
I went & looked at my old shop's inspection sheets for the 5 & 10k services and the rear drive pulley bolts were not normally checked... unless the tires were removed, then the pulley & rotor were inspected & torque checked. A good mechanic will normally grab the pulley & rotor & give them a shake just to see if anythings loose.
If the pulley was installed & torqued correctly using loctite, there is rarely a reason to think it may come loose so theres no specific reason the check it.
Thankfully your case ended up safely
I went & looked at my old shop's inspection sheets for the 5 & 10k services and the rear drive pulley bolts were not normally checked... unless the tires were removed, then the pulley & rotor were inspected & torque checked. A good mechanic will normally grab the pulley & rotor & give them a shake just to see if anythings loose.
If the pulley was installed & torqued correctly using loctite, there is rarely a reason to think it may come loose so theres no specific reason the check it.
Thankfully your case ended up safely
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Can anybody tell me if they have checked their bolts before ? Re-torqued and found them less than spec ? If so would you pull them one by one and re-loctite ?
Do you check the front pulley also ?
Do you check the front pulley also ?
Last edited by strtglyd07; Dec 7, 2008 at 06:30 PM. Reason: added q
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
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From: Earth
I had mine loosen up on me as well. About 5,000 miles after a tire change about a month or so ago. If you look back on my posts you will find a thread about it. I will be using loctite and torquing to spec this winter. I haven't rode much with the weather being what it is in Illinois. Glad all was well, it sure scared the crap out of me.