| Author | Message | ||
     Noface |
Snapped my 2nd belt on my 9R the other day. 15 miles from the house. Good thing I have a pickup truck. This bike has always had the belt guards on, and with this belt, I have been meticulous, it not overly careful not to twist, bugger up, whatever, when changing tires. These belts are a PROBLEM on the 03 models. Buell knows it, which is why the upgrade to the new Goodyear supplier. If you can't tell, I'm kinda chapped about it.  My bike is down for the rest of the winter cause I'm not spending $150 or more for the same ol belt that I KNOW will break in 5000 miles. I've seen prices of the "new and improved" upgrade belts/pulleys and associated hardware required. Not chump change by anymeans (at least to me). Kudos to Buell for putting better belts on the new 04's, maybe they can offer the "upgrade" kit at a discount if you have an 03. Cost plus shipping would be nice... Is anyone out there running a chain setup on the street? I've seen some on race bikes, but haven't heard of anyone running one on the open road yet. Jody S. | ||
| Darthane |
Man, what is it with you guys? I'm well past 14,000 miles on mine with no problems... | ||
| Noface |
I dunno. It was lined up ok. The outer edges weren't frayed like there were any issues with alignment. I checked the pulley's for any burrs, what-not. Everything looks ok. Jody | ||
| Darthane |
Guess I just got a good one -=knock on wood=- Hehe...then there are people like Glitch, who keep breaking them because they can't remember how to get the rear wheel off properly... | ||
| Chainsaw |
FWIW: 9900 miles, still on first belt. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
CHAIN - Tuber Frame though!!!!!!! NO MORE PROBLEMS | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch, who keep breaking them because they can't remember how to get the rear wheel off properly... Damn, I break one belt, and I can't live it down  I can't find my post where it says how many miles I had when the first broke, but, I think it was like 3000 something. I've gone through 2 sets of tires since then, and now have over 12,000 miles, no more broken belts. I would like to upgrade to the newer set up though (cost too much for me also). I still like the belt drive better than chains, but, that's just me. | ||
| Fullpower |
jody did you break a new style belt? the 2004 is stronger i think. just curious, wonder if i need to carry a spare, or do a chain drive. had to switch sportster to chain, could not get across town with a belt. dean | ||
| Viros |
I put well over 15K on my belt with no problems. Every service appointment & tire change has been done by my dealership, they must be doing a good job. | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Noface, I have had many problems with my belts too. I broke 3 in under 10,000 miles. Finally Buell warrantied the pulleys and so far no problems. There is a long discussion of this somewhere in the archives. I am saving right now to upgrade to the 04 system. I agree about Buell knowing that they made a mistake. Anyway, good luck. | ||
| Kaese |
Where is the recall? 5K on mine with no problems. One tire change, but it would be nice tho have the new stuff. Buell could be really touchy about recalls and the tube frames. | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Where is the upgrade to 04 pulley system posted? I mean where can I purchase one if I wanted one today? | ||
| Kaese |
In a different thread, there is a price list and part numbers for the entire change over. About $625. For me, I haven’t felt the need for it yet. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
14 k on mine before it broke....6 tire changes no guards and lots of abuse.... put the same style back on. happy as a bug in a rug | ||
| Buckinfubba |
DC I could get that for ya... | ||
| Noface |
my first one broke, well, it didn't break, but was about to, I babied it until the dealer got one in stock to replace under warranty, at about 8k miles. The second one snapped with just over 14k, and 5 months out of warranty. It's had the belt guards on since day one. Fullpower: It's the 03 year Gates Belt, not the 04 goodyear. I haven't head of anyone doing the upgrade yet. Jody | ||
| Oconnor |
Is it just a matter of changing the belts to upgrade... or is it a pulley change as well? | ||
| Buckinfubba |
oconnor it entails pulleys belt rear resvoir brake line belt guards and front pulley guard....I think thats everything and also idler pulley edited by buckinfubba on November 29, 2003 | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Brian, Checked my belt and it did come with the .02A8R model. My bike was built April 2003. | ||
| Noface |
In light of all the belt failures documented on this website, and comparing them to wheel bearing failures on the XB's, I wonder how many wheel bearings had to fail, prompting the "wheel bearing product upgrade". Why could they (Buell) not do the same for the drive belts? Probably the cost difference I suppose. Dcmortalcoil - the belt on my 03 Firebolt is 02A8F. R U sure that's an "R" at the end of the part number? This belt was new about the same time period as yours. I'd have to check some records. Mmmm, midyear product upgrade? Jody | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Jody, Brian explained to me that the "R" version superceeded the "F" version. | ||
| Bykergeek |
I wonder if any supplier (Gates, Goodyear etc) will come out with a less delicate direct replacement for the oem 2003 model XB belts. Gates already makes most of the replacement automotove serpentine belts sold today | ||
| Glitch |
It would be nice to have a direct replacement without having to change everything to 04 specs. Too much to replace for me. | ||
| Bykergeek |
Is there any concensus yet on why some XB belts are breaking? a: Flexing the belt off the bike b: misalignment for whatever reason c: overstressed/overloaded d: other reasons | ||
| Glitch |
a: Flexing the belt off the bike Was my problem, when I changed tires...once  A hard lesson learned is a lesson learned well... | ||
| Oconnor |
How could we all start a letter uh, sorry, just woke up , can't think of the word, where we all send in letters to buell of a wish for the upgrade or discount at least for the change in belt system... I am pretty sure this board could put together some pull.. | ||
| Tedk |
Sounds like a good idea. At 7k I'm feeling lucky so far, wonder how long It'll go; Dear Buell, I don't wanna be on the side of the road holding a broken rubber band. Can you help a guy out before it happens? Also please include spare tire. My rubber keeps wearing out. Thank You | ||
| Xb9rski |
Damn, I guess I'm running on borrowed time. I have 17458 miles on my belt right now, Change the rear tire the other day and inspected the belt, Looked almost brand new. Even took it into the dealership and asked them if they seen anything wrong with it, He asked me if it was new, Been doing my own maintenance too, Not to bad for a Pollock I guess.....LOL edited by xb9rski on December 01, 2003 | ||
| Skully |
I've seen several posts complaining about the XB9 belt breaking with very few miles on it. In some cases, the belt guards had been removed, in some cases not. As you may know, the 2004 models all have the Goodyear belt system which may solve this problem. Dave at the Buell Cycle Center (one of our sponsors), is currently running a sale on this upgrade for those of us who have older XBs. I've heard others proclaim the greatness of chains. I for one, after putting over 100,000 miles on street bikes with chains, made a vow to never own another one just due to spooge that chains leave on everything. Before you decide to make this conversion on your Buell, take a look at the photograph below.  Chain damage! Photo by Ian This is from my friend Ian's Ducati 750SS. We had just met for a quick run Sunday afternoon when I realized Ian was no longer behind me. I turned back to find him sitting on the side of the road. The bike spit the chain off; as it left the bike, not only did it damage the rear sub-fender, license plate and bracket, it knocked the hole you see in the crankcase as well as the left engine side cover. We don't know what it is going to cost yet, but it will be a lot of work to fix to say the least. Keith | ||
| Daves |
OK, Lot's of riders have been talking about this so for the month of Dec HD/Buell Cycle center will be running a special on a conversion kit to swap your old style XB9 belts to the new 04 system. Here's what you get, Trans sprocket 27T 40.00 Sprocket cover 24.00 Upper belt guard 25.00 lower belt guard 34.00 rear sprocket 84.00 6 screws 12.00 drive belt 113.00 idler pulley assm 66.00 rear master cyl 40.00 brakeline assm 24.00 screw 1.20 screw 2.25 Total 674.85 Package savings -209.40 Your price 465.45 That is over 30% off! plus shipping to your house! Sale ends Dec 31st All orders must be pre-paid Who wants one? Bet it costs him more than this to fix the Ducati. Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) |
