| Author | Message | ||
     Billp |
Yesterday I removed my rear wheel kuz my tire has a nail. I'm gonna drop it off this week for a new one. While I have it apart I started to wonder if I should replace the belt. Its a 2003 with approx 9500 miles and the original belt. I don't have the time/money to upgrade the drive pulleys to the 04 belt. My belt is in good condition and I would keep it but I know the original belts weren't all that great. Thanks, Bill | ||
| Andymnelson |
the original belts are just fine. The problem was that were being mis-handled. You didn't twist the belt to the side when you removed the wheel did you? the 03 belts can handle any lateral twisting, being bent backwards or being bent too tightly. got about 20k on my stock one and still going strong (even have 2 rock holes in it for about 12k now). (Message edited by andymnelson on May 24, 2010) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Actually, it is a difficult decision. The original Gates belts varied in quality, and they were supposedly upgraded. However, I am not sure that the upgraded ones were really any better. In addition, although it was mentioned many times that the belt could be damaged by improper handling, I have never seen any thing that explained why this is so in terms that make any sense from the strength of materials point of view. Personally, I have always felt that both the rubber covering and the reinforcement are just not strong enough, and that the way the belts are sliced may have further permitted water infiltration, weakening the reinforcing strands, leading to the plastic failure of the entire belt which we have seen many times. If it were me, I think I would probably replace the belt just because you have the bike apart. The approved technique is not very obvious, so referring to the shop manual is a good idea. | ||
| Court |
I have never broken a belt. But I keep a spare, new in the box, for both my S2 and my XB12X. Comes from being a Boy Scout. I also keep a set of frame pucks. | ||
| Greg_e |
Pretty sure the manual says 15,000, if there is no dry rot, and no fraying threads, I'd keep running it. Of course easy for me to say since I do have all the stuff to upgrade when my smaller belt goes. | ||
| No_rice |
Should I replace my original belt ? 039S is it broken? the answer is apparently no it isnt, so the correct answer would be no it doesnt need to be replaced. an added note, ive broken 2 original belts, 5 updated ones, and the one on there is stretched out pretty good... so if it wants to break its not going to matter what belt you have on it | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I bow to Rice. Only had three belts, myself. Went to the Chaingang on my second Buell.  | ||
| Froggy |
Something near 80k combined on my Buell's, only one break, and of course its the damn unreliable XB.  | ||
| Ourdee |
Only lost one tooth in 12,000 miles on the XB. | ||
| Tomzhog |
i was on my 4th belt with 12k on my 03 xb9r thanks 2 all the power wheelies i upgrades to the 04-lata pulleys belts n tensioner all for about $200 on ebay belt is a lot beefier than 03 hopefully hold up on those wheelies | ||
| Strato9r |
Did pretty good on my '03, got over 35,000km on the original belt. It finally gave up a couple of weeks ago, tearing diagonally on a second gear full throttle roll on from 4500 rpm. No complaints, though. That's a lot of use with zero maintenance! |
