| Author | Message | ||
     Nevar |
I know this subject has been beat to death but I searched and could not find what I need to know... So bear with me please... I have an 03 XB9S with 6,800 miles and my understanding is that there are three final-drive belt iterations: 1) Original belt 2) Stronger belt (This is what I have) 3) Back-fit the 04 belt system which includes larger belt, sprockets, pulley. Is number (3) correct? Tim | ||
| Cataract2 |
I would probably go with #3. The new 03 belts are suppose to be better but I feel with the 04 ones are the better way to go. | ||
| Holling |
What is the expected life span of the stock belt? I also have a 03 xb9s with 3400mi. I wonder if I should go ahead and buy a spare and have it ready to go if I need it. How much does a belt cost? | ||
| Chainsaw |
What is the expected life span of the stock belt? Service manual recommends replacement at 15,000 miles. I just replaced mine at 16,700 and it still looks to be in fine shape. It is the stock belt on my 9R bought in June of 2002. Others on this board have have their's break at various intervals before that , and some have have belts last considerably longer (Darthane IIRC). I believe the belts run between $134 and $170 depending on the version, the latest being the cheapest. If it helps you sleep better at night, spring for a spare. Otherwise, a new belt is only 4 days away from NC via Appleton, WI (or Stone Mountain HD in GA)  (Message edited by chainsaw on June 01, 2005) | ||
| Exupmonkey |
Hollings...to be on the safe side I would get yourself a new belt cause there doesn't seem to be a recognised safety point after which the belts integrity is more likely to fail. The service interval may be 15000 miles and hats off to you if it lasts that long but there are many on this board who have had failures at less than half that mileage, mine included. Nevar....I went for option 2 on your list mainly because option 3 was way too expensive for me, if memory serves me correct you have to buy new belt guards as well to accomodate the wider belt.(Still cost me £157...$284 at todays exchange rate!) | ||
| Raceghost |
my belt broke at 4000 miles. Im curious, you say I can get a bigger pulley, maybe more wheelies? | ||
| Nevar |
Well, I'm the kind of rider who can get 25K miles out of a chain and sprockets - don't ride my bikes hard. So maybe I'll stick with option (2) instead of back-fitting the 04 XB9x belt system. My main question was whether or not there were more than 3 options. I didn't make this clear though. I know, there is a fourth option: Chain and sprockets - but this would be overkill for me... Thanks for the input. Tim | ||
| Nevar |
BTW, I've already purchased some stuff from Dave S at Appleton - he's the MAN! I may get a replacement belt just in case.... Tim | ||
| Daves |
The latest updated belt for the 03s list for 152.00 I sell them for 136.80 I have them in stock. As long as you are careful with it you'll be fine. | ||
| Fullpower |
why do you consider a chain drive to be overkill? they have been in regular road use for over 100 years. toward the end of the last century they began incorporating o-ring seals between the side plates, greatly increasing durability, and with somewhat reduced maintenance. i understand some of the foreign motorcycle manufacturers still use the chain drive system on their motorcycles, apparantly with some success.  | ||
| Nevar |
Fullpower, Please re-read. I said "overkill for me". Yes, I have heard that some m/c manufacturers are using chain drive... Amazing, isn't it? You know what, there are chains on my 04 Ducati ST4S-A, my 01 CBR929RR, and my 00 Aprilia Pegaso. Damn! | ||
| Fdl3 |
Raceghost wrote: "my belt broke at 4000 miles. Im curious, you say I can get a bigger pulley, maybe more wheelies?" Does anybody else find the irony here?  | ||
| Glitch |
23,000 miles on my last "03 style" belt. Works for me. | ||
| Exupmonkey |
Lucky you! | ||
| Captainplanet |
Nevar, I picked up a used 03 belt on ebay for $35. Its a good way to have a cheap backup. | ||
| Steve_a |
I would absolutely not, not, not rely on a used '03 belt. The main problem with the Gates belts in general, either the '03 or the upgraded version, is that they are overly sensitive to handling damage. A belt's strength can be reduced by more than 80 percent by a single incidence of overly tight bending. The new Gates belt, taken from the factory box and handled carefully, works well. But if you don't know how a belt was treated, it hardly seems worth the effort to install it. The Goodyear belts, in contrast, can be almost tied in knots with only slight strength diminishment. | ||
| Captainplanet |
Steve, I hear you. I just got it to get me home in case of an emergency. I figured $35 was worth not having to hassle with a tow truck. If you don't have belt guards on, a roadside belt change can be done fairly easily. | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
I had serious problems with my 03 9s belt system. 3 belt in 8,000 miles or so. I upgraded to the 04 system which includes, belt, pulleys, tensioner, rear master cylinder, and brake line and I love it. I have 22,000 miles now and no problems. | ||
| Justice |
I didn't think you need to change the rear master cylinder and brake line? |
