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CVO Technical => Drive Train => Topic started by: roadrunner on September 28, 2009, 10:48:48 AM

Title: When to replace drive belt
Post by: roadrunner on September 28, 2009, 10:48:48 AM
Would anyone know off hand when you need to replace the Drive belt?  It doesn't say in the service manual just to inspect. I did find the part number in the FLHTCSE service parts manual. Since I am having a tire and brakes done it would be a good time to replace a belt if needed (40K).  

REAR DRIVE, 139 TOOTH

Product ID: 40024-04

Lookin at the BDL Falcon replacement drive belts.
http://www.bdlsales.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=16

Thanks!

Looks like a properly maintained drive belt can last 70 to 90K miles (up to 10 yo) and better to be a little loose than to tight.

My 2 cents!
Ride safe!
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: redtwin on November 26, 2009, 10:40:34 AM
I had to replace mine at least once a year but that was probably my fault,I no of guys that have well over 100000 miles on the stock belt
I would keep the safty belt in case you get stranded
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: Fired00d on November 26, 2009, 10:42:47 AM
I had to replace mine at least once a year but that was probably my fault,I no of guys that have well over 100000 miles on the stock belt
I would keep the safty belt in case you get stranded
Got to ask..... Why? :nixweiss:

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: SneakyPete on November 26, 2009, 11:59:54 AM
No milage rating on the belt.  Just check for cracks periodically.  Belts generally fail for two reasons; abuse (i.e. too much time in the burnout pit) or a stone or other road debris gets caught between the belt and sprocket causing the belt to break.

When I built my 120 I was concerned the stock belt wasn't strong enough for the added power/torque, so I changed to a Dayco Panther which wsw reputed to be superior to the stock HD belt.  WRONG!  Within 2,000 miles I sheared 80% of the teeth off that Dayco belt.  Went back to the HD stock belt and have never had an issue in 50K miles to date.  This is one part where the HD product is superior to anything else out there.  If you feel compelled to change out the belt, stick with the HD stock 139 tooth belt.
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: cahdbiker on November 26, 2009, 01:29:17 PM
Roadrunner, A riding buddy of mine had 175,000 on his original belt. (mostly freeway miles). He change it out when he had a remanufacture done on his 2001 88B engine.( it was still running good but the tensioners for the engine balance system went out) A good time to change the belt  is when you are doing another repair which envolves removing the primary because I am sure you cannot change out the belt without removing inner primary. (not enough clearance) CAHDBIKER
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: roadrunner on November 27, 2009, 07:39:10 AM
Thanks, good info!
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: redtwin on November 28, 2009, 11:17:32 AM
Got to ask..... Why? :nixweiss:

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:




lots of throttle quick release of the clutch lever :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: Ed Ramberger - One_Screamin_Eagle on December 05, 2009, 02:19:39 AM
Would anyone know off hand when you need to replace the Drive belt?  

Inspect it for teeth that are starting to get parting lines in the valleys - this is caused by the front sprocket squaring off.  Inspect it for other damage as well.  I have seen several high mileage belts but the ones that people say went 100k were usually barely hanging in there - they're nothing I would bet on.  It's critical to inspect the sprockets - especially the front.  It goes from round teeth to sharp square ones over time.  
Lookin at the BDL Falcon replacement drive belts.

Harleys belts are awesome - I have seen several problems with aftermarket belts
http://www.bdlsales.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=16



Looks like a properly maintained drive belt can last 70 to 90K miles (up to 10 yo) and better to be a little loose than to tight.
Incorrect- belts that are too loose are more prone to breakage than belts that are too tight.  

My 2 cents!
Ride safe!
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: kraut on December 05, 2009, 04:09:49 AM
only once I replaced a belt, had around 30.000 on it and it had a small indention from a little stone or the like. But as we wanted to go on a ride through Russia I wanted to be most cautious. Shouldn't have done that, the very next morning the new belt lay on the garage floor  :-[

Never had a belt-problem before or since and I ride my bikes for approximately 60 to 70.000. Just met the guy who bought my 02 FLHRCI - 120.000 on the clock, still the belt I had replaced in 03 on it.
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: spydglide on December 05, 2009, 07:25:30 AM
Gotta agree Kraut.  Still on the origional belt on my softtail with 108,873 miles on her.  Got a groove on the top side, but the teeth all still look good and no cracks anywhere.  Who knows how long these things will last if not abused or the unlucky damage.  spyder
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: cobaltblueultra2004 on May 27, 2011, 01:53:48 PM
I had mine break last night, not sure what caused it. The belt looks fantastic no cracks no wear marks, the bike only has 31,800 miles on it. Does anyone know for sure if you have to remove the inner primary to reinstall the new belt? I know the dealer wants $500 to change it, I just laughed.
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: grc on May 27, 2011, 02:12:01 PM
I had mine break last night, not sure what caused it. The belt looks fantastic no cracks no wear marks, the bike only has 31,800 miles on it. Does anyone know for sure if you have to remove the inner primary to reinstall the new belt? I know the dealer wants $500 to change it, I just laughed.

Yup.  Replacing the belt involves removing the rear wheel, the swingarm, and the primary.  One of the disadvantages of a belt versus a chain; can't take the belt apart to fish it onto the sprockets and just reconnect the ends.  On the flip side, you can expect the average belt to last much longer than a chain, and the only maintenance with a belt is checking tension and inspecting for damage.

BTW, when replacing a belt it is also highly recommended that you closely examine the sprocket teeth.  Worn or damaged teeth can quickly destroy that nice new belt and you'll get to pay another $500 plus to do it all over again.


Jerry
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: cobaltblueultra2004 on May 27, 2011, 02:35:17 PM
I am planning on doing the work myself. I need to order a service manual anyway.

Thanks for the info Jerry. :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: Chilly on May 27, 2011, 10:38:27 PM
I have over 110,000 miles on mine and have had a 100 rev-tech in for the last 25,000 hard miles
                                                            Chilly
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: kansaskim47 on May 29, 2011, 10:07:19 AM
 ;D ;D

Now at 127,800 miles original belt, sprockets, clutch, primary. Am tearing down this weekend to check a slight knocking from the primary. Bearing, compensator?

Engine still runs well, just lubricates the air a little bit under hard acceleration and rattles a bit in the top end under high RPM deceleration.

Overall, has been a super reliable, fun bike.

Kim

 :2vrolijk_21: :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: cobaltblueultra2004 on May 30, 2011, 10:05:48 PM
Well, I got the drive belt changed yesterday, the job wasn't really that bad at all. You can actually change it without removing the rear tire and swingarm. Just remove the LH lower rear shock mount to let the belt come over the back of the swingarm, remove the nut and Lh swingarm bushing and push the swingarm bolt out the RH side and it will give you the room you need to get the belt through. I did find the dealer who has serviced the bike since it was new has NOT been doing the primary correctly. Once I removed the primary cover I found about 1" to an 1 1/4 play in the primary chain.  :soapbox:

I went ahead and installed new seals for the starter and trans jackshaft along with al new gaskets. Cost: 350 bucks total in parts and a six pack for after the job was complete..
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: Chains on May 30, 2011, 10:12:17 PM
Well, I got the drive belt changed yesterday, the job wasn't really that bad at all. You can actually change it without removing the rear tire and swingarm. Just remove the LH lower rear shock mount to let the belt come over the back of the swingarm, remove the nut and Lh swingarm bushing and push the swingarm bolt out the RH side and it will give you the room you need to get the belt through. I did find the dealer who has serviced the bike since it was new has NOT been doing the primary correctly. Once I removed the primary cover I found about 1" to an 1 1/4 play in the primary chain.  :soapbox:

I went ahead and installed new seals for the starter and trans jackshaft along with al new gaskets. Cost: 350 bucks total in parts and a six pack for after the job was complete..
Just saw this post and wondered if they changed since I last broke a belt in 96, I never had to remove the primary, swingarm or tire.  Glad to see things remain the same.  Belts are not cheap are they?
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: cobaltblueultra2004 on May 30, 2011, 10:23:15 PM
Chains, I should have been more clear. You do have to do a complete disassembly of the primary and remove the inner primary. We are going on vacation next week and if I would of had the extra jingo and the time to wait I would have ordered the new chome inner primary and installed it at the same time.
Title: Re: When to replace drive belt
Post by: gmills on May 31, 2011, 04:30:22 AM
imho the best time to replace the drive belt is the day before it breaks

 ;D