Drive Belt Life
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
Since we've got opinions all over the place.... I guess I'll get the Emergency Belt Kit, throw it in the saddlebags, someday it'll break, limp it home, get new belt, throw Emergency Kit in the saddlebags, and repeat!
Thanks Everybody!
Thanks Everybody!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,728
Likes: 9,227
From: Snow Hill, NC
riding down the road Sunday on my way back from Raleigh and there was a guy stranded on the side of the road with a 03 Heritage, busted belt...asked if he was ok...i should've asked him how many miles he had...Mine looks ok and i will drive it until i can't stand it no more then when i change it i will upgrade to better bushings...Ain't worried about it right now at almost 60000 miles.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
I can buy the new ones (post '07) are good for 100k but if the pre '07's are only good for 50,000 miles there are alot of belts out there on borrowed time. When I came back to the Harley World in '98 I did alot of research specifically regarding the longevity of the belt. I only found one rider that indicated he had a belt break at less than 100,000 miles. Excluding physical damage (rocks, nails, etc.) I couldn't find anyone that had a belt fail from normal wear.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 87
From: Cookson, Ok
There it is!!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
Does the belt strength differ on a 96" or 110"? The 110" does pull the belt a little harder. I will change mine out around half life, same time I do a tire replacement. Riding 2 up doesnt make it last longer either.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Some great replies. I had my bike tuned and modified at around 30k miles and a new belt fitted, plus pulleys both ends, but only because the bike was being given a thorough work over. That new belt picked up a small sharp stone, which I picked out. After a few thousand miles the wound began to change shape, so I replaced it after a total of 25k miles. I now have a late spec narrow belt and will be checking it at every service, or before every long trip.
The 1 1/2" wide belt was available in a sidecar spec, for heavy duty use, but the newer narrow 1 1/8" belts are not, so must be very tough! At least I hope so.
The 1 1/2" wide belt was available in a sidecar spec, for heavy duty use, but the newer narrow 1 1/8" belts are not, so must be very tough! At least I hope so.