Rear drive belt?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Milton, PA
Thats what I thought too. I had a stone go through the center of my belt about 5,000 miles ago and it just broke last week.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've been riding belt drive Harleys since 1990 and never had one break. I had a stone cut one, which I changed about 4k miles later, because the wound started to spread. Breaks so soon after each other is a real bummer. Check tension is correct with your new belt, as tight belts break easily. I haven't ridden a bike with an open chain since 1977 and don't plan going back now - belts are the new chains!
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Nassau County, NY
Drago's Bike Works has a chain drive conversion that still utilizes your cushion drive http://www.dragosbikeworks.com/
I live a mile down a gravel road hope I don't pick up a stone If I do I will definitely do the conversion, looking for some wood, Knock, knock
I live a mile down a gravel road hope I don't pick up a stone If I do I will definitely do the conversion, looking for some wood, Knock, knock
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,172
From: Oxford, Nc
My original belt broke at 119,600 miles last year, and probably was helped along by the swingarm crack that was discovered the same day.
The emergency belt I ran waiting for the new permanent belt to arrive broke on the second day after picking up a rock. ( I live on a 1/4 mile long gravel drive.)
My new carbon fiber belt has been on for 8,000 miles now and should last the life of the bike.
I'll never even consider another chain.
Last edited by Stiggy; May 12, 2013 at 05:34 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 18
From: Belmont, MI
Rick
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 18
From: Belmont, MI
I bet I'm pretty close
I just did a belt to chain conversion on my 120" Eglide and although I don't have many miles on it yet I'm quite happy with it and it at this point am not looking back. I researched this quite a bit before making the change and couldn't turn up any dissatisfied people who have made the change using quality sprockets and top shelf latest tech chains.
One of the comments earlier in this thread mentioned lube slinging all over the place. That doesn't happen with the current chain lubes on the market. Maybe it's my pipe but I can't hear any chain noise whatsoever. Belt tech has come a long ways but so has chain tech.
I had 60K+ on my belt and I didn't like the thought of being out in the middle of BFE and leaning on this motor and popping a belt. I may eat my words in the future but not at this point.
Rick
I just did a belt to chain conversion on my 120" Eglide and although I don't have many miles on it yet I'm quite happy with it and it at this point am not looking back. I researched this quite a bit before making the change and couldn't turn up any dissatisfied people who have made the change using quality sprockets and top shelf latest tech chains.
One of the comments earlier in this thread mentioned lube slinging all over the place. That doesn't happen with the current chain lubes on the market. Maybe it's my pipe but I can't hear any chain noise whatsoever. Belt tech has come a long ways but so has chain tech.
I had 60K+ on my belt and I didn't like the thought of being out in the middle of BFE and leaning on this motor and popping a belt. I may eat my words in the future but not at this point.
Rick
Last edited by Egldr05; May 12, 2013 at 07:10 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 11
From: sequim, wa
WOW, some people had some real bad luck with older bikes and chain drives. I guess I just had good luck back in the 60's and 70's. Never don't remember adjusting chains and getting filthy dirty every 500 miles or breaking down along side the road every ride. that's with a 100 k+ miles ridded by 1974. anyway....belts are great and the only chain I would use now is on a original chain bike or on a hi-hp bike on the strip.
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 Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
take these chains from my?
I love the belts and don't want to change but I've never had a chain let me down in I don't know how many 100ks of miles. I have however been left in remote places with a broken belt but these were early Primary belt drives. I'm in the middle of a 124 S&S build and am looking at that skinny 20MM belt. Sure would be interesting changing that in BFE. Still debating and wondering if there is a tougher belt of this size out there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post