| Author | Message | ||
     Marko |
Hey guys well it finally happened. I have 9K miles on my bolt and the belt finally broke. I wanted to ask if this is a hard to tackle job, and how much can i expect to dish out for a new belt? Thanks for the info.. | ||
| 1324 |
Are you going to do the swap or just get a new 03-style belt? I'm piecing together the kit for the 04 conversion, so I'd be interested in hearing what you do. Keep us posted. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, a new belt is the ~$140 range...but not exactly sure. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
OK Jim, here's the deal!  The 2003 belt is a bit wimpy, you did rather well to get 9K out of it. My first one went away a lot sooner than that. Changing the belt is a real pain, probably will take you all afternoon the first time you try it, and the belt cost about a buck and a half. As 1324 mentions, many people opt to refit their 2003 to take the later, and much improved 2006 "unbreakable" belt. This requires a new belt, new front and rear sprockets, new belt guards and one or two other things. Cost four to five hundred, but the belt is much better. The really cool thing to do however, is to get one of Saintly's chain conversions. The whole conversion cost just a little more than a new belt, the chain doesn't break, you can change the gearing, and join the "Chain Gang". And it makes tire changing a snap. | ||
| Prof_stack |
I knew the chain gang would find their way here!  The replacement belt, without having to change the sprockets et al, is said to be a big improvement. Just make sure you get the newer version. | ||
| Buelltroll |
If it takes you all day to change a belt.... Well I'm glad your not my mechanic. I got 16k out of my ORIG 03 belt and changed it at the last service. Took mabye 20 minutes the hardest/longest part about it was removing the rear wheel. Just upgrade to the new 03 belt or go with the conversion. Who wants chain lube all over there bike? (Message edited by buelltroll on August 05, 2007) | ||
| Surveyor |
Just broke mine and replaced it without upgrading it - you don't want to know what it cost me, but it's a simple job, one hour max. | ||
| Marko |
Thanks guys for all the info. Where can i see the chain conversion kits at? Is it true that you will have chain lube all over your bike? | ||
| Brad_buell |
Yeah, it happened to me a month, or so, ago. It took me about two hours to do the job. I just replaced it with the upgraded '03 belt. The hardest part for me was the belt guards on the '03. They are a real pain in the butt. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Chain lube all over your bike? Well I'm glad you're not my mechanic. Modern chain lube is nothing like the old chain oils, if used properly and sparingly as it was designed to be used. My bike is white, has a full fairing, and I never have any issues with chain lube all over my bike. I'd bet I spend less time on chain lubing and maint. than what guys with belts spend (or should spend) inspecting their belts for holes, cracks, tears, or stripped teeth. And I don't have to worry about being stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken belt. And in the (rare) instance of trouble with my chain, they are available at ANY motorcycle shop...even HD dealers. Who wants to wait for a belt to be put on order? Or end up with an old model that someone twisted en-route? | ||
| Flf150fireman |
anyone know where i could get some chain conversion kits??? ofr a 03 xb9s,,, web sites ect.. thank you | ||
| Marko |
I been looking for the conversion kit as well with no luck. I like how you can go to a 200 rear tire with the chain kit. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Speaking of chain gang. A fellow at homecoming almost had a chain failure. The guys that worked at the factory noticed that he was missing the clip off of his master link. Now that would have been embarrassing. Especially with all the bragging an snap shot posting. | ||
| Diablobrian |
contact saintly here on badweb. he's been helping convert belt drive Buells to chains for a while now. | ||
| Badgalaxie |
I have got a 04 setup for a XB12r with new belt still in the box.Anyone interested let me know | ||
| Hogs |
Chains are Neat each to their own... However with a hand full of wrenches & a belt, one can change one on the side of the road.. Its not all that hard or time consuming... | ||
| Bdabuell |
The really cool thing to do however, is to get one of Saintly's chain conversions. +1 contact saintly here on badweb. he's been helping convert belt drive Buells to chains for a while now. Fritz/Saintly's conversion kit is excellent. I have no complaints at all about mine. The price is awesome and he does great work (Message edited by BDABuell on August 05, 2007) | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
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| Coal400 |
Who wants chain lube all over there bike? Probably no secret around here, but this stuff rocks for chain lube! http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-lu be/dupont-teflon-chain-lube.htm | ||
| Buelltroll |
Wolf show how the front sprocket looks. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Thanks Coal400, that's exactly the kind of product I was talking about....and in at least a couple of their reviews they touch on the fact that most people tend to use too much of the lube. They also mention cleaning methods, (if done properly cleanup is just running a kerosene soaked rag around the chain while the chain is run once around). They talk about using wd40 to clean with, but I don't recommend it. WD40 (water dispersant formula 40) was designed for the military to disperse water from electronics. It will also displace/break down petroleum products. Anyway thanks again Coal400! | ||
| Coal400 |
Hey, no sweat pal. | ||
| Tunes |
Marko, American Sport Bike sells the '04 Belt Upgrade Kit... with the '06+ belt. I bought and installed the kit on my '03 XB9S... Got 10K miles outa my belt and it's still intact. With all the right tools, it took 'bout 2 hours to install the kit. No chain conversion for this kid. I couldn't be happier with the belt upgrade. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
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| Buelltroll |
To me t hat just looks ghetto n thats how ALL the kits I've seen look. Someone should at least make a cover. | ||
| 1324 |
Oh, wait a second...you mean there is no cover for that? Aside from looking half-assed, I think it looks like a safety concern. Granted, I don't ride with laced shoes, but if I did, look out! | ||
| Buelltroll |
Every kit I've ever seen pics of looked just like that. Some even worse instead of a derlin "tensioner" there was a second sprocket underneath. If there are coves for the kits I've never seen them installed. | ||
| Jwhite601 |
I have the guards on the front and the rear. But mines not a Saintly conversion. I'm running a 520 chain. I believe Saintly uses 530.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Wolf show how the front sprocket looks. You got what you asked for. You didn't ask for a picture of the front cover. If you want to know what it looks like walk out to your garage and look at you own bike...... WTF!! I will just save you a few steps.....  Check out that ghetto sprocket cover!! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Some even worse instead of a derlin "tensioner" there was a second sprocket underneath. Like the one found on the XBRR?? | ||
| Buelltroll |
Couldn't tell ya considering I only saw them in two races LAST season. And since they were NO WERE near the front they didn't get a whole lot of face time. But I will say that looks alot less ghetto. |
