| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
I'm planning a long trip this summer and I'm not sure what to do about the belt situation. Right now, my 2002 S3T has, as far as I know, the factory belt on it and about 12,000 miles. Originally I was going to swap it out for an XB belt before the trip and keep the stock belt as a spare to bring with me. Then I remembered two things: 1 - I don't think the original belt will take well to being curled up tight and stored under the seat, and 2 - A belt change doesn't look to be anything I'm going to be able to do on the side of the road. So... if you were in my boat, would you: -Leave everything as is and take the trip without a backup -Bring the XB belt along as the backup -Install an XB belt and bring the stocker for backup -Install the XB and not bother with a backup. I'm leaning towards just installing the XB belt and not bothering to bring a backup as I won't really be able to do anything about it anyways should it break on me. | ||
| Hootowl |
Unfortunately you're right, changing a belt on an S-3 is not a side of the road kind of thing. I don't remember who it was, but someone on this board rolled up a belt and stuffed it under his seat. He's got that belt on right now, and it's still going. If I were you, I'd carry a spare. You won't be able to fix it on the side of the road, but if you can get a lift to a garage, at least you'll have the part. | ||
| Buellistic |
Drive Belt adjustment 101 available upon request ... E-mail me and a copy is yours ... "MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!!" | ||
| Gowindward |
Will an XB belt fit on a tuber? I'm thinking it is a different belt??? A properly adjusted belt is the real key. | ||
| Hootowl |
A new XB belt will fit a tuber. I BELIEVE the 03 belt will not. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Put the XB belt on. Adjust per Buellistic's directions as "scary loose" does not work with the XB belt because it is stiffer and jumps when it is too loose. Throw the original belt in the garbage so that you are never tempted to reuse it (you won't need it anyway). | ||
| Buellish |
Why change it? I got 52,000 out of the first belt and 44,000 on the one I'm running now. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Why change it? Age - why risk it? I broke mine with less than 15K, but it was 9 years old.... | ||
| Kalali |
"...as "scary loose" does not work with the XB belt because it is stiffer and jumps when it is too loose." Not true. I have the newer XB belt on my X1 since last summer and 6000 miles and it is damn scary loose. It is a bit stiffer than the OEM Sportster belt. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Let me ride it - I drag race and it jumps! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I've got 25K on my stock belt now and also anticipate some possible distance riding this summer (homecoming). While age is my big concern, I don't wheelie or do burn-outs, and generally my belt is not stressed any more than spirited canyons and occasional track days will do. Having done my rear iso's several years ago (with the help of dbird) I don't relish the idea of tearing into that again. So I usually give it a good looking at when I wash the bike. So I'll give mine a very close inspection, looking for cracks, worn teeth, and frayed kevlar threads, then replace it if I think I'll have it blow on me. For my regular commuting and local rides I'm not really concerned about it letting go. Seems to be holding up pretty well, which is just another joy in the ownership experience in addition to no valve adjustments ever.  Having read the issues you've had with your bike though, hmmm... maybe she's had all her issues fixed and will be problem free in the future... or maybe you'll just want to go ahead and at least have a spare in case the stocker lets go. | ||
| Yo_barry |
I'd change the belt, replacing with the XB belt. Forget about carrying a spare. Changing a belt on an S3T is not a simple task, not something that could be done on the side of the road. If the belt fails, most HD dealers stock the Sportster belt which is the factory specified replacement. This belt will get you home, assuming that you can get someone to do the replacement. | ||
| Nukeblue |
i say take the trip. 12,000 would not scare me a bit. course a have 75,000 combined miles on three tubers with not one belt failure. and i beat on em pretty good. my 03 9r now thats a different story, i'd bring two x-tra! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I wouldn't bother the belt. It's not a roadside repair and it's unlikely that it will pop any time soon. My first X1 belt lasted 45,000. It's also the same as a sportster belt, available at H-D dealers all over. for a long trip I would just check your fluids and exhaust hardware. | ||
| Buellistic |
Remember this: A properly adjusted Drive Belt from day one will last longer than a IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED DRIVE BELT FROM DAY ONE ... "MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!!" |
