Drive Belt Life
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Thanks for your service and have a great trip in May!
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: hope mills, nc
thanks again,
corb
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
At 25 years old and only 41K I wonder if age is a big factor or not?
Everything looks in good shape.
Unless it gives me a concern, like actually breaking, I really don't want to replace it before it's time. It's quite a bit more than a $35 part and 10 minutes to change.
Everything looks in good shape.
Unless it gives me a concern, like actually breaking, I really don't want to replace it before it's time. It's quite a bit more than a $35 part and 10 minutes to change.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: hope mills, nc
plus consider the safety factors. my last one was in the southern part of idaho, just north of utah, on 80/84. sat there in 95 degrees, with two bottles of water for almost 2 hours. saw a few snakes, my chick got attacked by birds while she was trying to pee in a bush. funny, but a pain in the ***. if that was at night.... who knows how long i would have been there. and, fortunately i did not have to walk several miles so i could get cell reception.....
i hate to "what if" it, but, it could have been much worse. or, just change the belt if you feel leery about the way it looks. or, if you cant remember when or if it has ever been changed. lol! i say, if you have gotten 25 years out of it, spend the couple hundred bucks, and enjoy the next 25, worry free. kind of like the whole "one ounce of prevention, beats a ****-ton of the cure".....
thoughts from the peanut gallery,
corb
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Biggest belt killer, small rocks, puncture cut the belt and allow wounding to progress to failure without warning. I lost mine at 6 years with only 12000 miles to a rock cut, I look at the belt during washings to make sure the next failing isn't quite as a surprise.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,203
From: Oxford, Nc
I believe that alot of the "clean" breaks are the result of a slightly too loose belt. The belt jumps the sprocket teeth. Back in 2001 we ran a '99 Dyna in the ProStar " Hot Rod Cruiser" competition, ( 135 HP, 9.95@ 118 mph,) and broke just one belt early on. The second was set banjo string tight and was still on the bike as of a couple of years ago.
Of course we weren't concerned about stressing bearings on that bike, but the point is a little too tight is probably better than a little too loose.
As I said before, my belt looks good, so I'll get the Emergency Belt and carry it, and run the old one untill it starts to look bad or breaks, whichever comes first...Thanks All!
Of course we weren't concerned about stressing bearings on that bike, but the point is a little too tight is probably better than a little too loose.
As I said before, my belt looks good, so I'll get the Emergency Belt and carry it, and run the old one untill it starts to look bad or breaks, whichever comes first...Thanks All!
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
That would suggest Harley doesn't perceive a need for a replacement kit for the newer carbon fiber reinforced belts or it's just not physically possible to repair one of the newer belts.
Anybody else hear anything different?
Last edited by peddler; Jan 22, 2011 at 09:22 AM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 353
From: Ohio
Got a stone puncture from a chip and seal road job in Colorado a few years back. The stone was the size of a chili bean and cut right thru the middle of the belt. The hole was half the width of the belt and it still held up. I didn't discover it for almost 4,000 miles after it happened. It wasn't easy to see. Even went to Sturgis with it in there. So I put a lot of faith in the strength of those belts. Fortunately, the bike needed some warranty work that included removing the primary and wheel. But, I still had to pay for the new belt. So check your belt often, especially after riding on those stoney roads.
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