| Author | Message | ||
     Andymnelson |
Also, please don't mix up the terms "lifetime warranty" with "lifetime service interval". There is a big difference, and to deny the difference is ignorant. No one claimed a lifetime warranty on the belt, but the belt IS covered under your bike warranty. A lifetime service interval simply means that you do not need to schedule to replace the belt at specified intervals. For example, my '03 calls to replace the belt every 25,000 miles. I'm not trying to be harsh to those who have not heard the terms before, but there are some in this thread that are just trying to stir the pot senselessly. Ignorance is not always bliss. | ||
| Schwara |
Back to topic, I do plan to purchase the FS tensioner. I have heard nothing but good things about them from current owners and it "seems" like it could help extend the belt and bearings. If it does help either at all then it's worth it to me. It also looks cool and I've spent more than that in the past for something "pretty". As far as belts, warrantees, and terms ... I am ignorant, I admit it. That's why I'm reading the info out on this board and asking questions. I've only had my Uly for a few months now and while I love riding it like no other bike I've ever been on I am trying to educate myself prior to catastrophic failures (bearings, belts, ECMS …). Everything I know about my bike I have learned here as the dealership I bought it from knew less than me ... risky I know, but in my defense I had been reading out here for a little while prior to my purchase and I had also been wanting a Buell for ~15 yrs. I honestly don't even know the details of my warrantee. Based on the seller I have assumed that my '09 (purchased in '08) now with 22K is out of warrantee and I have been treating it that way. That being said, my last 2 bikes both had chains which would be replaced once a certain stretch had been achieved. Never had a failure. Of course a belt is different and I like it better for the most part but why no indicators before failure if they do in fact happen? Sorry for random ramblings and for my lack of knowledge and understanding. I am honestly trying to learn and have my opinions voiced in the hopes of improvements that might be incorporated into future E B R products that I hope to buy. | ||
| Andymnelson |
I am ignorant too  But I (much like you just described you do), realize that ignorance is NOT bliss! I am glad you ask questions here, and I am happy to share all that I learn. The harshness in my post was not aimed at you at all. Sorry if I offended, guess my fuse is a bit short today! (I need to go ride..)  | ||
| Dirt |
Here is the quote straight from the 07 Buell model catalog (page 12) titled 'The Inside Line': "Zero Maintenance - The Hibrex belt never needs lubrication or replacement. It's rated to last the entire life of the motorcycle. And because the idler pulley keeps tension constant, there is no need to adjust the belt either." I have no idea what is stated for other years. I'm sure two opposing lawyers could argue the meaning of that paragraph for days, months, years. | ||
| Schwara |
They would only argue if they could bill the time to someone. Otherwise, they would "discuss" this topic while arguing another topic that they could bill for | ||
| Ourdee |
I planned on replacing my belt every 10,000 miles and saving the replaced belts for spares. My new strategy is to replace at around the 30,000 mile mark and install the springThing at the same time. That will give me a new belt and 2 spares if all goes well. I hope to put on a 2010 wheel with new rubber at that time. That will leave me with a spare rear wheel and tire. | ||
| Schwara |
We're on a similar wavelength ... or something, as I've thought through a sequence that isn't that different. springy thing - very soon new rubber - pretty soon 2010 wheel - hopefully Christmas present from Santa new belt - probably wait at least a little only ~2.5K on it (Easter Bunny ??), I waited while they installed a new one for my test ride. I'll have to take another look at my sales receipt to see if there is an extra $182 line item. | ||
| Blake |
Matt, >>> Even the factory admitted that under certain circumstances such as sudden suspension extension (when riding over humps/potholes etc) the shock loads created can break belts. Interesting. I can see it. Picture this... As the swingarm rises the length of the top run of the belt decreases (sprockets move closer together) while the length of the lower run increases (idler pulley effect). So, if you were to hold the tranny output sprocket stationary and work the rear suspension, as you raise the rear wheel (shock compression) the wheel would tend to rotate forwards in response to the shortened top run of the belt. BINGO! So I can absolutely see how, if the bike is under power and the rear suspension compresses that it would absolutely add to belt tension, not from any added tightness, but from the added acceleration imparted to the rear wheel. Very interesting! Terry, As the rear wheel falls, the geometry of the belt changes such that it acts to support it. It goes from acting mostly horizontally (pulling on the wheel to the right) at the full upward extreme of wheel travel to acting to the right AND upwards on the rear wheel as it falls back down. The belt is not getting tighter as the rear wheel is allowed to fall; it is just that as it drops down the belt tension acts at enough of a vertical component (pulling upwards) that it will support the weight of the rear wheel. Great discussion. We've found truth! | ||
| Hootowl |
Don't have a Uly, but both of the belts I have broken on my X1 broke while going over bumps at low speed accelerating away from a stop. RR tracks once, and the speed bump in the parking garage at work the other. I was shocked both times, because I wasn't doing anything stupid when they broke. Low power, low speed. The bump just put it over the edge. Interesting. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Froggy, I'm going to take my 06' busted belt that I've held on to and take it out to the Buell dealer and see if they'll give me a new belt. If so, you get a high five, if not, I will not be surprised at all. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Andymnelson, you need wise up from your "if it's Buell it must be infallible" attitude. I only raise subjects that others find interesting enough to chime in on. Heck, I might be able to get a new belt out of this pot stirring thread. I'll believe that when it happens though. | ||
| Blake |
>>> I'm going to take my 06' busted belt that I've held on to and take it out to the Buell dealer and see if they'll give me a new belt. They won't. Your bike is WAY out of warranty. I agree with Andy. Wise up amigo. | ||
| Froggy |
EG, while I have no way of looking up your VIN to check, I doubt your bike is still under warranty. | ||
| Eulysses |
I ordered my silver spring thing. If it eliminates the two-up "ronk" vibration on dips I will report. I will report anyway. I know the issue is tightness related questions but I believe there is a connection with that overload noise. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Froggy, It's way out of warranty. I guess I just didn't understand your post. I bought my ULY before 2006. Oct 05 build date. | ||
| Andymnelson |
I'm not sure what any of my comments have to to with the notion that I think Buell is infallible. I merely applied a bit of common sense and logic to the scenarios. Infallibility has nothing to do with it. Besides, you make nonsense arguments about your out of warranty motorcycle from a defunct motorcycle company...
See, straight to my point: ignorance is not so bliss, is it? Look, I'm not looking for a pissing match, I just have a small tolerance for BS, especially on an enthusiast forum full of friends that have helped me so much, and especially when you have clearly stated you are just pot-stirring. I'm just calling it BS when I see it. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
If you aren't looking for a pissing match then you have a very strange way about you. Anyways, what Froggy is saying about Lifetime belts and warranties in the same breath is a bit disjointed to me. First off, it's 2011 and few, if any, 2006 bike would have a warranty unless they prepaid for all repairs with the so called extended warranties that dealers love to sell. If a person bought an extended then they already paid in advance for all kinds of belts. If you can explain exactly what Froggy was posting about then you can be my Froggy speak interpreter from here on in. No offense Froggy, I just didn't understand your posts about the belts at all. As for helping people on this forum, all you have to do is remember tutorials on making oil temp dipsticks, washing filters, bearing maintenance, and many others. Can you say the same. | ||
| Froggy |
I don't get whats so hard to understand, the belt is covered under your bikes warranty, just like bearings, headlight bulbs, throttle bodies, stators, and so on. If it breaks, you can get it replaced by your dealer. | ||
| Ratbuell |
the definition of "lifetime belt" is, no maintenance required for its entire lifespan. no adjustments. no nothing. it does NOT mean you get a free belt every time you break one. it just means you don't have to "maintain" it. you will note the phrase is "lifetime belt"...not "lifetime warranty on belt". while the belt is not technically considered a "wear item" or "maintenance item" (that no-service-interval thing again), you don't get a lifetime supply of free belts. froggy's borg implant probably hiccupped is all...power surge or something I have a (used) spare belt figure-8 wrapped and zip-tied to my topcase rack, just under the case. That way, it's always there when/if I need it. whether the factory does or not, *I* consider it a wear item. just like the timing and accessory belts on my automobiles. and if I get 15k miles out of a belt...at $175/each...that's $0.011666 a mile. I can live with that. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Froggy, Your questioning me of how I had so overpaid for that belt was right on the money because I find that I didn't pay 240 for that belt. I just got done going back through all my credit card receipts (I keep every darned one for monthly reconciliation and then file them). I found the American Sport Bike sales invoice that Joanne Lighton sent with the belt. The Belt was $175 and $19 for shipping. Total of $194. Probably still too high a price for that belt but that is exactly what they charged me for it and I was in a bind because I didn't want to miss the Alpine Valley Resort 2010 Buell Homecoming gig so I bought it and was able to make the trip. If you go to their website, you'll see that they now expect $182 for that ULY drive belt. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/index. php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=XB12Xengine&count=30&o ffset=0 What a Harley/Buell dealer gets for one, I have no idea. Chains are cheaper but belts are cleaner. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on August 25, 2011) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Ratbuell, Lifetime belt means Lifetime (of the) belt.  Nothing lasts forever. | ||
| Al_lighton |
$175 was the MSRP then. It is now $182. We don't make money on shipping. | ||
| Buewulf |
the definition of "lifetime belt" is, no maintenance required for its entire lifespan. no adjustments. no nothing. I have to disagree. That is the definition of a maintenance-free belt. A "lifetime" belt implies that it will last the life of the bike (with the exception of foreign object damage, etc.) it does NOT mean you get a free belt every time you break one. This I agree with. They would have had a separate lifetime warranty on the belts if they intended to backup the "lifetime" claims. I don't know whether or not they really felt the belts had a good chance of lasting that long when they introduced them or if it was one of those little white marketing lies, but it is what it is - a belt that is covered by the bike's warranty period only.} | ||
| Jomartijr |
I installed the FS tensioner as part of the inspection/maintanance/cleanup on my 2007 when I bought it used. Only 5300 miles on mine since but I noticed immediately as others have that the rolling resistance was less as was the belt rub/squeeking noise from the pulleys. Plus, the very tight condition of the belt just didn't seem good insofar as belt and bearing service life. I read the Brits Uly website and was influenced by some of the believers there and haven't regretted the purchase/install at all. My opinion- it's an improvement for reasons already stated by others. | ||
| Blake |
When was the last advertised upgrade for the belt? I'm thinking it was 2008 or 2009, anyone? I scribbled on a picture. Wanna see it? Here it is.  | ||
| Treadmarks |
If your grey line is supposed to be the center-line between pulleys, then you missed. | ||
| Eulysses |
The grey is the swing arm axis. | ||
| Blake |
What Vern said. | ||
| Froggy |
You misspelled George | ||
| Yamafreak |
Looks like if you have a 07 bike your belt might last a lifetime  |
