| Author | Message | ||
     Snoman |
I've done some searching through old posts, but couldn't find any recently that discussed reasons (or theories) for belt breakage. I bought my '07 Uly used last October with 4K miles and changed the belt for a new one before a trip to Alaska this summer. The original had about 6K miles on it and looked good with the exception of one spot where a pea sized rock had pushed through it. I kept it for a spare. The new belt lasted through the entire 10,500 mile Alaska trip (including about 1200 miles of dirt/gravel) and I was feeling pretty good about it. That was until I was going for a weekend ride and the belt snapped 10 miles from home. The belt had about 12K miles on it. I wasn't flogging the bike by any means when it snapped. I just pulled the clutch and downshifted, coasting up to a stop sign. When I let the clutch out to go again, it just sat there. For a minute I thought the clutch wasn't engaging for whatever reason. Then when I get off the bike I see the belt was gone. I looked back and there the belt is laying right where I pulled the clutch. The belt broke cleanly between two cogs and the cords all broke / pulled apart randomly within 3/8" of the break on either side. There were cracks between all the other cogs too, but otherwise I thought the belt looked good. I did notice a few hundred miles earlier that the cord on the outside was starting to come out. Snowmobile belts typically do that too right before they go. Does this sound like a typical belt failure, or is it something to be concerned with (how it broke). I had been paying attention to the belt and didn't notice it getting loose like some people have mentioned. I just hitched a ride and trailered the bike home. It was too hot and humid for me to think about installing the spare I had on the bike. I'll have to get another belt ordered up. Should I be concerned with putting miles on the 6K belt with the rock pushed through the center of it? | ||
| Pso |
Snoman, What was the manf. # on the belt that broke? Is it the third iteration belt? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My original 06' belt gave up the ghost at a bit over 25,000. They go when they go and who knows why. Mine was really stretched but would be nice and snug once the rear axle was torqued to spec. I remember the first time I put a new tire on, that I rolled the belt on on the back sprocket which is probably not the thing. I never had to do that again because the belt would always just go on easily after that time. But, the belt did give me 25,000+ miles so I can't complain except that I remember it was a supposed LIFETIME belt. Must have been someone else's lifetime because I'm still here. | ||
| Ourdee |
From what I've read, it seams to me that they break when the rear suspension is unweighted. So, my suggestion is to stay on the gas. | ||
| Snoman |
I believe the belt that broke was the latest iteration - G0500.1AKF. I'm not looking for a lifetime belt, just want to make sure 12K is within the range of reasonable belt life for the Uly and I don't have something else going on. For what it's worth, the guy I rode Alaska with was on a We-Strom and wore out a chain and new sprockets in the same amount of time. At least I didn't need to lube my belt every day... | ||
| Snoman |
This was the first ride I took after the Alaska trip. Maybe I need to leave my bike loaded with 100 pounds of gear??? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
You can always get that Trojan Horse belt tensioner http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/prods/169.html | ||
| Ftd |
Anybody have that Trojan Horse belt tensioner ?? Has anybody with one experience belt or bearing failure? If it prevents or greatly reduces these failures it would be worth installing just for the piece of mind. | ||
| Froggy |
On the street, no, but off road, yes.
Some people have them, and some people have reported belt and bearing failures with it. It looks pretty, but thats about all it does for the bike. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I'd sure like to have one but don't like spending money on too many gizmos. It looks like it would make back wheel install easier when the belt is tight. | ||
| Husky |
08 XT with 14499 miles (purchased new on 28 March 09). Installed Trogan Horse belt tensioner at 498 miles. Installed "F" belt at 6666 miles. Still looks pristine, no cracks or signs of drying, but the belt is resting on the tops of the sprocket teeth and in some places on the belt there is very little rubber if any protecting the belt fabric from the top of the teeth. I had to wait 6 weeks to get the belt, maybe they had production problems. I would have expected the fabric cords to have been more centered in the rubber to provide more radial shock load cushioning to the belt. Keeping "D" belt as carried spare. husky | ||
| Ftd |
Dang, looks like the tensioner is not the cure all. I have an '06 with 23,000 miles and original belt/bearings. With a tire change approaching I am working on my plan of action: a. Just plop on a new tire b. Tire and new bearings c. Tire, bearings and a new belt d. Tire, belt and 2010 wheel I am leaning towards c. Tire, belt and new wheel would be nice but a tad costly. | ||
| Tootal |
I'll say it again, belts should not be bent backwards. I have gotten over 80,000 miles on a Harley belt on an electra glide sport that pulled wheelies!! It had more torque than the Buell yet no problems. The Buell idler bends the belt backwards and in the industry they always tell you not to do that. I still think that is the reason they break. I have heard that Erik worked with the belt engineers so they will bend backwards, I just don't think they have it perfected yet. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I'm pretty sure the XR1200 has the same idler setup. | ||
| Od_cleaver |
I looked at a picture on the Harley site. The idler wheel was visible. The same picture showed an axle slot in the swing arm making the belt tension adjustable. |
