Drive belt groove
Drive belt groove
I picked my bike ('12 Limited, 9000 miles) up from the dealer yesterday after having an exhaust clamp replaced. The repair took over a week and the more than 1/4 tank of gas I had in there was gone, gas light was on.
The service writer said I need a new drive belt and showed me a fresh, deep groove that he said must have been from a rock. I check my wheel bearings religiously and know it hasn't been there for more than a day or two. Not accusing them, but it makes me wonder how that happened.
Anyway, they estimated close to $800 to replace the belt, which I don't want to spend right now (Wife's birthday is almost here). I may just ride it and see how things go.
If the belt will hold out for another thousand or so miles I can have it replaced at the next tire change.
Just ranting, I guess.
The service writer said I need a new drive belt and showed me a fresh, deep groove that he said must have been from a rock. I check my wheel bearings religiously and know it hasn't been there for more than a day or two. Not accusing them, but it makes me wonder how that happened.
Anyway, they estimated close to $800 to replace the belt, which I don't want to spend right now (Wife's birthday is almost here). I may just ride it and see how things go.
If the belt will hold out for another thousand or so miles I can have it replaced at the next tire change.
Just ranting, I guess.
Last edited by Ultra103; Oct 28, 2013 at 08:53 AM. Reason: Added picture
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 940
Likes: 3
They took over a week to replace an exhaust clamp?
You do know you could replace both slipons and clamps in less than a half hour with only a ratchet with 1/2" and 9/16" sockets, right?
Ask the shop if they've got "before" pics. Local dealer goes out with digital camera when you bring your bike in for service and takes 4-5 pics of the bike just to keep everyone honest.
That's a lot of belt missing; I don't think I'd be riding it far in that condition. YMMV
You do know you could replace both slipons and clamps in less than a half hour with only a ratchet with 1/2" and 9/16" sockets, right?
Ask the shop if they've got "before" pics. Local dealer goes out with digital camera when you bring your bike in for service and takes 4-5 pics of the bike just to keep everyone honest.
That's a lot of belt missing; I don't think I'd be riding it far in that condition. YMMV
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
That appears to have been rubbing very hard on something. Take a look above it as it should be pretty obvious. Its on the outside of the belt and I don't see any way that a stone can cause that, unless it got jammed in by the front pulley. You would have felt and heard it!
I had the dealer replace the clamp because it broke and the bike was under warranty, otherwise I would have done it myself.
I'm 98% sure the belt was fine when I took it in, I'm pretty **** about checking those things daily - just a glance, but that's all it would take with this belt.
It's pointless to wonder if the dealer did it so I'm just going to take the hit even though it is still fresh. Can't find my little mirror right now so I'll get one from the tool truck when he comes by this afternoon.
What irritates me is the 40 or so miles the bike incurred during that week.
I'm 98% sure the belt was fine when I took it in, I'm pretty **** about checking those things daily - just a glance, but that's all it would take with this belt.
It's pointless to wonder if the dealer did it so I'm just going to take the hit even though it is still fresh. Can't find my little mirror right now so I'll get one from the tool truck when he comes by this afternoon.
What irritates me is the 40 or so miles the bike incurred during that week.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
that's bulls--t there is no way they should have put 40 miles on a bike to test the exhaust clamp. sounds like they are trying to drum up some work. i once had a truck in for service and they put a 100 miles on it and run $36 worth of gas out of it. i screamed about it,all i got was the fuel replaced.yet another reason not to let anyone work on my rides.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
How could you not hear or smell something with a groove like that?
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Oct 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM.
I agree, I feel like I would have noticed a smell or heard something. As far as riding the bike, they are fairly well known for putting miles on bikes - they put quite a few on my last one during services too.
The warranty was expiring in a few days when I took it in for the clamp and a few other issues (tire cupping, front brakes out of fluid) and they originally called me saying Harley wouldn't let them take care of anything. I called customer service and they made the dealer fix the crossover clamp. I'm thinking this pissed the dealer off and may be why I had a bad experience there.
Oh well, they have seen the last dollar from me.
The warranty was expiring in a few days when I took it in for the clamp and a few other issues (tire cupping, front brakes out of fluid) and they originally called me saying Harley wouldn't let them take care of anything. I called customer service and they made the dealer fix the crossover clamp. I'm thinking this pissed the dealer off and may be why I had a bad experience there.
Oh well, they have seen the last dollar from me.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
well that's a different story, tire cupping and brake issue's. they should do alittle test riding,but 40 miles is a bit much.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
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From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
It suxx when lessons get learned the hard way, especially when no fault of our own.
Lesson learned with some word of mouth may be the best way to deal with them. I just went through something similar on my dually, and it was one of lives (damn that pisses me off, but I am gonna have to eat it, like it or not) lessons.........
Lesson learned with some word of mouth may be the best way to deal with them. I just went through something similar on my dually, and it was one of lives (damn that pisses me off, but I am gonna have to eat it, like it or not) lessons.........