Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[skippy49]

I have an 03 SE Road King that I've torn down for engine work.  I'm right where it wouldn't be too much trouble to replace the drive belt but don't know if I should.  The bike has about 60,000 miles on it and the belt and sprockets look fine but I'm one that would rather replace it right now and avoid the extra labor later unless I know that mine would easily last another 50-60K.  It's original and therefore about 10 yrs. old  I'm leaning toward replacing it since I've got everything off except the swingarm and it would eliminate another tear down in a few years.  Does age deteriorate the belts too, or just worry about miles on them?
TIA,
Steve

[Twolanerider]

Assuming you're not abusive with hole shots and burn outs and wheelies the drive belts are one of the few pieces I let run until they show an obvious flaw/damage or eventually break.  Your mileage on that belt isn't a worry by itself.

[muddypaws]

I'd replace it.

[dlaws01]

replace it while its open and down.

[Keats]

if the bike is ridden mostly local, I would not replace it.

If I am planing many long trips I would replace.

I have never heard of anyone getting stranded a long period of time because of a belt though.

[Fired00d]

With my luck if I thought I should replace the belt and then don't it will break once it's back together.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[skippy49]

With my luck if I thought I should replace the belt and then don't it will break once it's back together.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

That sounds like my luck so I think I'll go ahead and replace it.  I'll be mostly local trips but I'd like it to be available for long ones if I decide to take it.

[King Glide]

Replace it, I broke a belt on a Sunday with just 6 thousand miles. 4.5 hrs. Later and dozens of cell phone calls to roadside asst. the tow truck finally showed up but by then the closest shop had closed. I'd change the belt a hundred times not to go through that again...

[Twolanerider]

An abundance of caution is rarely (though not always) a bad thing.  So you'll likely not go wrong with a newer than an older belt.  Keep in mind when comparing the 03s belt against service histories of the newer bikes that the 03 has a much wider.  Strictly anecdotal of course.  But I have a lot more recollection of belt issues on the newer bikes at some median level of mileage than I ever remember on the bikes with the wider belts.

[skippy49]

  You're probably right but I've got one on order now so hopefully I won't have any trouble with it for many years.

[spydglide]

yep, I've got 113,000+ miles on one of the wide ones and the '04 has 80k miles on it's belt.  Unless you get damage from a rock or something, they'll last a long time.  Or you can put them in the burnout pit and replace right away.  har.  spyder

[kraut]

belts are mysterious things - some hold on forever, some break within a few thousand miles.

If your belt is still flawless after the time and mileage your report it's proven quality and there is no real reason to suspect it will break ever without external cause.

On the other hand its 10 years old and time wears inevitably ...

Flip a coin 

I would probably replace, for no real reason but just for peace of mind. On the other hand I once replaced a belt some years ago for a small dent because I intended to go on a trip through Russia - the new one promptly broke just the other day ...

[moscooter]

 
Here is the part you (don't want to hear)..........but ya need to consider.  With that many miles on the whole drive train,  and you're opting to replace that belt,  you need to take another real close look at the trans sprocket pulley and rear wheel pulley too.

While at a glance,  they may look just fine,  in fact they can get worn down more on one side than the other.   If you don't replace them along with a new belt, your "new" belt will NOT last as long as it should.

I've not personally had this problem,  but have read about others that have........expensive to replace them along with the belt, but something to consider.

[skippy49]

Here is the part you (don't want to hear)..........but ya need to consider.  With that many miles on the whole drive train,  and you're opting to replace that belt,  you need to take another real close look at the trans sprocket pulley and rear wheel pulley too.

While at a glance,  they may look just fine,  in fact they can get worn down more on one side than the other.   If you don't replace them along with a new belt, your "new" belt will NOT last as long as it should.

I've not personally had this problem,  but have read about others that have........expensive to replace them along with the belt, but something to consider.

  Got that covered too.  Didn't want to spend the money but upon closer look I could find chips out of the plating on the rear sprocket.  I had already decided to replace the front one since I was in there and after I checked the rear one better, I ordered a new one there too.  I hate to spend the money but I hate doing something twice even more!

[tennisman]

I've got 76,000+ on my '08 CUSE3.  I see no reason to change the belt.  If you see damage or something unusual, then consider replacement.