Broken Dive Belt
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Pendleton Oregon
Broken Dive Belt
So my dive belt broke today. Really weird situation. Rode home yesterday, no problem at all. Backed out the drive way today and put it in first gear and it would not budge. I backed up thinking it was in between gears or something and hit something in the road. Looked back and it was my belt. Don't have a clue what happened. Bike is an 02. Only has 28000 miles. Belt looks OK. Not dry rooted. Just broke in half. Not happy at all. I was already running late for work. Of course my drive way has to be a hill too. Had to have help after work to get the bike back into the garage. Anyone have a clue why a good belt would break? Heard about the rock in the belt, but I just don't know.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
I had the same thing happen to me a couple of years ago with my old 03 EGC. Drove to the visitor center at the grand canyon and when I came out to leave backed it up and dropped it in first and nothing. Wife looks over from her bike and says whats that hanging under your bike. I had changed the belt from rock damage about 15k earlier. My belt looked almost cut. Bottom line it was 600 bucks to get it fixed. At least you can change yours yourself beings its at your house.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
if everything is tracking true, the belt has never been crimped and no rocks, or wear on the pulleys ( perfect world) belts go way over 100,000 miles.
on my cop bike it let go at about 50k miles...I was at the dealer, let out the clutch to leave and...
called spouse to bring truck and ramp ( I ride antiques, she is used to that) and put the new one on..and did the swingarm bushings at the same time. ( I actually swapped to a 61T pulley and a softail belt for a 15% overdrive)
I don't know why it let go, it had looked good, but who knows what the CHP did to it the first 38k.
this is a labor intensive job, inner and outer primary cases, primary drive and clutch. swing arm...
but can be done with manual and a common assortment of tools- crap, I was able to do it!
mike
on my cop bike it let go at about 50k miles...I was at the dealer, let out the clutch to leave and...
called spouse to bring truck and ramp ( I ride antiques, she is used to that) and put the new one on..and did the swingarm bushings at the same time. ( I actually swapped to a 61T pulley and a softail belt for a 15% overdrive)
I don't know why it let go, it had looked good, but who knows what the CHP did to it the first 38k.
this is a labor intensive job, inner and outer primary cases, primary drive and clutch. swing arm...
but can be done with manual and a common assortment of tools- crap, I was able to do it!
mike
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Your picture makes me think of a possible de-lamination inside the material, if it's not simply a rock. Can you put the two ends together and form the original profile again?
With time, solvents can creep inside compound materials (like belts) by capillarity using the tiny channels around the structural fibers that appear on both sides.
With time, solvents can creep inside compound materials (like belts) by capillarity using the tiny channels around the structural fibers that appear on both sides.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,177
From: Oxford, Nc
Check the front pulley teeth for sharp edges. Moisture, dampness and little use can turn the front pulley teeth into "knife like" edges from corrosion.
I have the same belt as yours and it looks just as good ad you describe. I do carry a spare emergency belt ( for the last 35,000 miles or so,) because it's gotta' break sometime!
I just turned 115,000 miles on the bike, and the belt is the original....(!)
I have the same belt as yours and it looks just as good ad you describe. I do carry a spare emergency belt ( for the last 35,000 miles or so,) because it's gotta' break sometime!
I just turned 115,000 miles on the bike, and the belt is the original....(!)
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 152
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From: Pendleton Oregon
115,000, that is insane!! I think I am pretty mechanical. I mechanic for a living on helicopters. Just am not that comfortable doing it my self. The indy in town only wants 500 for parts and labor. So I figured that was not that bad. Hopefully my next one goes 115,000 also. And yes the ends meet exactely and fit just like it was cut that way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Your picture makes me think of a possible de-lamination inside the material, if it's not simply a rock. Can you put the two ends together and form the original profile again?
With time, solvents can creep inside compound materials (like belts) by capillarity using the tiny channels around the structural fibers that appear on both sides.
With time, solvents can creep inside compound materials (like belts) by capillarity using the tiny channels around the structural fibers that appear on both sides.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
a lot of things could cause it. was it over tight? maybe it was hot from the last ride, then with the tension on it, it snapped while sitting/cooling?maybe coupled from a rock damage on the last ride... you should inspect the pulleys good for any damage before replacing the belt..
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Yours looks definitely like a QA issue in the manufacturing process unless you cleaned it several times with a 'thinner' or 'solvent' of some kind. In all cases there is a service life for rubber and polymers but I'm pretty sure a well lubricated chain can last for years if not beaten. Perhaps one day there will be a thread about chain and belt setting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,177
From: Oxford, Nc
I run my belt "taught" not tight. Mine's spec'd for 1/2" deflection at 10 lbs of lift, and I'm at least that. In my mind, the belt is most susceptable to shock breakage if there is any slack in the system that could "catch the belt off guard" so to speak. Like when you slam the brakes or hit the throttle hard when rolling. It's snug enough that there is no delay between when the pully moves. The belt moves too, instantly.
My bearings and seals are original also with no leaks or other issues, so I think I've got the right idea. ( I hope so... I leave for Louisville over Labor Day weekend
)
My bearings and seals are original also with no leaks or other issues, so I think I've got the right idea. ( I hope so... I leave for Louisville over Labor Day weekend
)