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[Rhetor]

Know a few that have run without the guard.  Personally I'd trim a little on the plastic before I'd lose it altogether.  But it's something that used to be done more commonly than one might first guess now. 

Seems the problem might be that I have to roll downhill backward out of the garage on cement floor, then downhill a few more feet onto gravel drive (about 40-50 feet total) to start up and drive away.  Some claim when rolling backward that the belt presses into the guard and then the guard acts like a ex officio brake when a 140 tire is it on the stock 03 Road King.

I really wanted to go 140, but without any major changes or without buying a 2013 SERK.  Can't have it all.  :-). So, probably just going to play it safe and go with the Michelin Commander II direct 130 replacement.

Thanks for you help!

[efrbc1]

I've got an '03 Road King that came with a 130 Dunlop.  Been running 140 Metzlers on it for 9 years with no issues.

Chris

[Twolanerider]

Seems the problem might be that I have to roll downhill backward out of the garage on cement floor, then downhill a few more feet onto gravel drive (about 40-50 feet total) to start up and drive away.  Some claim when rolling backward that the belt presses into the guard and then the guard acts like a ex officio brake when a 140 tire is it on the stock 03 Road King.

I really wanted to go 140, but without any major changes or without buying a 2013 SERK.  Can't have it all.  :-). So, probably just going to play it safe and go with the Michelin Commander II direct 130 replacement.

Thanks for you help!

Even if it should be necessary it's not a "major change."  Really are talking about nothing more than using the Dremel to trim back some plastic from the belt guard.  You'd never notice once done and it wouldn't keep the (cheap) plastic belt guard from still doing its thing if you ever went back to a 130. 

If you just don't want to mess with it that's a perfectly sane decision.  Just didn't want to leave you thinking the change was any big deal.

[Rhetor]

Thanks, Bro.

Going to take a close look today.  I really appreciate it!

[Twolanerider]

No sweat.  Just in case it's a part you've not had reason to mess with before the belt guard itself comes off easily with the saddlebag out of the way.  Three (I think that's right) small bolts and it all but falls off.  It's then no big deal to slide it in and out a few times trimming away plastic as needed to gain the clearance you'd be after (if you even need any).

This also wouldn't effect any decision to later use the chrome belt guard cover.  That cover only covers the outside face of the belt guard.  Doestn't wrap around toward the tire where you might have to whittle away a little plastic.

If visual reassurance helps here's one that has a plastic cover that got cut on quite a bit.  Bike is using a wide 1.5" belt just like yours.  Tire is an Avon Venom 16" on a 3.5" wheel.  There was less clearance than I expected.  But it was still only a few on-and-offs and about 20 minutes time total with a Dremel tool removing some plastic to get a reassuring amount of clearance.  Then the chrome cover sits over the top. 

Even without the chrome cover you'd never notice the work though.  Tucked too far up under, behind too much other stuff and the material removal is on the inside.  So not a big deal at all if you decide you want to.

[Twolanerider]

.

[Rhetor]

The pics make all the difference.  I think I might give it a try.  In the end, I can always sell the tire if it did not work out.  Thanks so much!

[Twolanerider]

   

[OhioDave]

I used this on my '03 Ultra, worked like a charm and no modification to the belt guard was needed.

http://pingelonline.com/rear_sprocket_spacer.htm

[Rhetor]

I used this on my '03 Ultra, worked like a charm and no modification to the belt guard was needed.

http://pingelonline.com/rear_sprocket_spacer.htm

Now that is an amazing part I have never heard of before.

[Twolanerider]

Now that is an amazing part I have never heard of before.

Have seen those before.  Just always thought trimming a tiny bit of unseen plastic was more cost effective than a $60 spacer (or more if you need longer bolts too).   

[Rhetor]

Have seen those before.  Just always thought trimming a tiny bit of unseen plastic was more cost effective than a $60 spacer (or more if you need longer bolts too).   

Aha . . . So trimming does the work of the part . . . Now I am seeing more clearly.

[Twolanerider]

Aha . . . So trimming does the work of the part . . . Now I am seeing more clearly.

Accomplishing the goal of gaining clearance either way.  The spacer moves sprocket away.  Or you can trim the guard in the area that it's potentially going to contact.  Doesn't matter which direction you gain the clearance the from.  Just making sure the parts don't rub.

The spacer won't always solve the problem though.  If the rub is from guard to wider tire at the tire's belly the spacer doesn't change that.  It just moves the pulley further outboard.

[OhioDave]

Before i used the spacer the belt was nearly rubbing the tire, well worth the $60 in my opinion.

[Rhetor]

Before i used the spacer the belt was nearly rubbing the tire, well worth the $60 in my opinion.

Dave, did you 03 Ultra have the 1.5" belt like the 03 SERK or the regular 1" for FLHs 03 and prior?