rock in belt, just got the bike
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: Netherlands
Seriously, this is my first Harley and it's just a plain old case of bad luck I guess.
Going to call the dealer and see what they can and will do for me.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 58
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From: Chelsea, AL
At the end of the day, it is your call. I replaced the belt on my soft tail back in 2000, and within 200 miles found a rock embedded just like yours (my belt is the older wider version) Out of spite, I never changed it. Still there after 11 years and 20k miles. Granted, I do not do long hauls on her.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
Replace it! A buddy of mine had a belt break on him while he was on a corner going down a hill. He tried to downshift as bike was starting to accerate and obviously nothing happened. He then paniced and ended up going onto the shoulder and then jerked it back onto the road. Bike went down. Scratched up the Bat Wing fairing, broke the clutch lever and some other minor damage to bike. My buddy ended up with a broken pelvis and couldn't ride for 6 months. We don't know why the belt broke but it did. Things never seem to break when it's convient.
Unless the hole is along the edge, you're probably good to go for quite awhile. I've seen belts that looked just like that go for years with no problems. (the dealer will most likely tell you you need to have it replaced).
Don't think I'd be doing any wheelies though.
Don't think I'd be doing any wheelies though.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
Sucks because they have to take your primary off to do the job. Several hundred US dollars to get it done. Check the underside for embedded stone. Don't want to have to replace pulley too. Those belts are REALLY tough. Like another poster said, you could get 100K out of that thing but it would always be on your mind.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 2,996
From: Charleston, SC
Remove the rock, JB Weld the hole, Ride... Check it once a month.
The hole is in the middle and will most likely never tear. If it was at the edge I'd replace it right away.
lp
The hole is in the middle and will most likely never tear. If it was at the edge I'd replace it right away.
lp
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 23
From: Crawford Co, AR
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
With the earlier wide belts Harley did a heavier version for sidecar/trike use, but with the latest narrow belts they don't. They must be very tough indeed!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Better that it is in the middle than on the edge and it might last for a very long time - might not.
I would guess that the pulley is damaged as well. If the pulley has even slight damage I would replace it too because a damaged pulley will damage a new belt.
Hopefully the dealer will work with you on this because with only 200 additional miles since you owned it it was likely there when you bought it.
I would guess that the pulley is damaged as well. If the pulley has even slight damage I would replace it too because a damaged pulley will damage a new belt.
Hopefully the dealer will work with you on this because with only 200 additional miles since you owned it it was likely there when you bought it.