Final drive belt life?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 16
From: Nor Cal
I got 35K out of mine on my '00 FLTR. I must have built up some good karma. I was riding about a month ago and came upon a broken belt on the road. Came around the corner and the bike was there. Stopped and offered to help. They had it under control, so I went along. Anyways I'm tearing mine apart for some mods and found this. I maintained the tension and inspected every time I changed a tire. Looks like the pre-ride checklist will get longer. The pic will tell the rest.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Mine has 40K and that is about the time the belt wore thru the hard chrome on the rear drive pulley. (think driving on grooved concrete for 3 years may have done that) Now belt and pulley has a orange peal look. However there are still hanging in there. Interesting that Harley say replace it all in a set.? When it shucks of the drive is when I will do it. Anyone know once it's driving on the soft aluminum how long it last?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
My softail is at 76K so far. It looks fine and rides fine. I always laugh when people want to go to a chain. Obviously there are other reasons for this like additional power and additional space to get a wider tire on the bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 13
From: Sussex, South of England
Mine has 40K and that is about the time the belt wore thru the hard chrome on the rear drive pulley. (think driving on grooved concrete for 3 years may have done that) Now belt and pulley has a orange peal look. However there are still hanging in there. Interesting that Harley say replace it all in a set.? When it shucks of the drive is when I will do it. Anyone know once it's driving on the soft aluminum how long it last?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 16
From: Nor Cal
We need a Martha Stewart type to have a how to reuse thread for these broken expensive a$$ HD parts. Maybe I can use my belt for rub strips or something.
Last edited by DanDman; Nov 7, 2012 at 01:05 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 16
From: Nor Cal
Because it is not just the belt that wears, or just the pullys. You should replace them all. By replacing them all you ensure that they fit together properly. It's a bit like walking on somebody elses worn shoes. It's feels weird and makes you walk different from what you normally walk like.
Last edited by DanDman; Nov 7, 2012 at 01:04 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
My '96 RK had the original belt on it at 120k, which is when I lost track of it. It had a rock puncture very early (<15k) and I fixed it with JB Weld, which held up at least to the time I last saw it. My '07 SG has 58k and the belt looks like new.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
Ever know someone who replaced a timing chain and not the sprockets? You'll have the same success here if you don't do it. A slipped belt is a fun weekend project I'm sure.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Tellico Plains, Tenn.
My 2000 RG had the original belt when it was hauled off at 159,000 + as a total thanks to a dumbass cager.