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[Skillet]

Has anyone broken a rear belt when hitting it hard coming off the line with a modded 110 engine? The belt looks fragile compared to the older belts. I have broken a rear belt on my '80 Sturgis with the 93 inch S&S motor and was curious about these new belts.

[Robmay]

I broke 2 on my 2010 ultra with a 103 upgrade.

[Skillet]

What were the conditions? Dropping the clutch at high rpms

[jagerbomb]

My best friend has a supercharged 2009 SG putting 185hp to the rear wheel and he has over 25000 miles on his original belt. He rides it like he stole it! Proper setup is the key to long belt life.

Mark

[kraut]

proper setup - and luck 

Lost a belt after 15.000 km, one after 25 km and the last one lasted for over 70.000 km on the same bike (103 FLHRCI '05).

[grc]

Yes indeed, proper setup, proper maintenance, and definitely luck.  Those belts, even the newest narrow versions, are extremely tough.  But like anything else, they are subject to the occassional quality issues in manufacturing.  Early failures that aren't the result of obvious damage can probably be blamed on such quality issues.  But then there are things like improper belt tension, improper alignment, rough edges on a pulley, damage from foreign objects like small rocks, etc., that can definitely decrease the life of a belt.  If my experiences are typical, the average dealer seldom sets belt tension properly, like when doing a supposed service or when changing tires, and it would be a good idea for owners to get a simple tension checking tool and learn how to check it themselves.  

Of course, for those who just feel the need to hammer relentlessly on the equipment, there is always the option to convert to a chain drive.  If I remember correctly, back in the day it was fairly common to see chains broken and thrown off, or sometimes hung up in the countershaft, but at least if you carried extra links and master links you could usually get back on the road.  I've seen a lot fewer problems since the advent of belt drive, but if you want the best reliability I'd suggest a nice shaft drive.  


Jerry

[guppytrash]

Local dealer has the red SERG that popped the belt on a test drive.  They said a rock???  They also let the newest tech set the CVO up for delivery.  So it could have been set up.
This is 11 years on HD's for me never lost a belt yet. 

[Robmay]

What were the conditions? Dropping the clutch at high rpms

The first one was probably our fault. We were changing the drive sprocket and bent and twisted the belt.
The drive sprocket didn't work as we couldn't find the right length belt at the time, so we reinstalled all to stock.
I test drove it and when I pulled back into the parking lot i snapped the throttle a tad and it popped.
Next one we were VERY careful with and it broke when the HD Tech was doing a test ride for something unrelated.
According to him he was just shifting thru the gears normally (who knows) and it broke.

[Fullsac Performance]

In all the years I have been doing burn out and wheelies on Harleys, I have only broke one belt.
It was after it had been soaked in Mobil 1 for six weeks after an oil pan mishap. I presure washed the bike but neglected to
really clean the belt and sprockets properly. The girl friend and I were pulling out from a breakfast stop and I decided
it was good place for a wheelstand and let the clutch fly loaded 2 up. The belt didn't actualy snap, just cleaned the teeth off
about a 12" section. I have to take the blame for this one. Since then I have done numerous burn outs and wheelies with no issues.
And for the record, I run aftermarket 1 tooth shorter belts with 30T front sprocket.

Steve George
Fullsac Performance

[Skillet]

Thanks for the inputs. That '80 Sturgis with factory primary and final drive belts beat me up throughout all these years. Still have it but all chains now with a six speed tranny. Ran it with a stroker motor and now with the new S&S high compression Shovel motor. Anyway that skinny belt just ain't manly looking and this new 110 just begs me to work it hard.