| Author | Message | ||
     Whitexc |
So I am doing a lot of reading about the XB's as I am going to pick one up hopefully next week if all goes well. It does happen to be an '03 so my question is: Did all the bikes have belt issues or were they like anything else, some good ones and some bad ones? This bike has 5k on it and hasn't had an issue. I know the owner and also the dealership is close and reputable, so is this something I should worry about? Thanks and keep up the good posts. By the way..."Cute Bike" was a good one! | ||
| Buelltroll |
I got 10 thousand miles out of my orig 03 belt. Some broke with under 5k. Some Didn't. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Did all the bikes have belt issues ... As you said, some good, some bad. The original 03 belts were very susceptible to weakening by the slightest of mishandlings. There was a service bulletin issued by Buell describing this, something akin to "do not bend, twist the belt, or pry it". IIRC the 03 belt has been updated a couple of times, but the service life is listed as 15,000 miles, and the belts that fit the 2004+ models have no scheduled replacement. I've got 27,000 miles on my 03 XB, and I had never had a belt problem. I did recently upgrade to the 2004+ pulleys and belts, mostly for the service life of the new style belt. | ||
| Brad_buell |
My belt snapped at 3800 miles.......  | ||
| Tekrat |
As of right now, mine has 16k on the original belt... | ||
| Brent_crossbronkos |
If you compare the 03 belt to the 04 the 03 is physically smaller (re: tooth size and pitch). Maybe it is possible that riding style contributes to the early demise of the 03 belt due to its weaker design. The difference between the two belts is very noticeable when placed side by side. This could explain why some belts break fairly quickly while others last quite a long time. | ||
| Gearhead998 |
I just replaced mine at 18K cause of the service interval. I am keeping it for a spare "just in case". I don't wheelie at all, but do have a heavy throttle hand. I'd say get it. | ||
| Midknyte |
Maybe it is possible that riding style contributes to the early demise of the 03 belt due to its weaker design. That and the idler pulley (and of course mishandling during install). I was shooting the shit with my mechanic and he told me that two things that are bad for these belts are hard deceleration (reverse load on the belt) and worn idler pulleys (should be little to no play/wiggle in your idler pulley - check it) | ||
| Kowpow225 |
I've got 11K on my belt with no problems yet. This one is the updated '03 belt with the new part number. | ||
| Darthane |
My original '03 belt is hanging up in the garage as a 'spare'. I changed it at 15K miles like the book said, but there's nothing wrong with it as near as I can tell. I replaced it with the 'upgraded' '03 belt which has gone about half that distance with no issues. The vast majority of problems with the '03 belts were, in my opinion, 'user errors'. They were very susceptible to stress fractures that led to failures if they were bent the wrong way, too sharply, or twisted. They were also more vulnerable (seemingly) to road debris and therefore removing the belt guards was a larger risk. I've had both belts off numerous times and am always careful of it, and all my belt guards are still in-place. Glitch, well...he's a 'special' kind of person.  | ||
| Mr2shim |
If anyone seen the latest issue of fuell. They'd see how crappy the 03 belt became if it was mishandled. It's pretty pathetic. I took no chances with my 03 belt. It had 9k on it. Bought a chain conversion ASAP. Never looked back.  (Message edited by mr2shim on April 21, 2008) | ||
| Silence_of_the_clams |
My belt broke at 5800+ The only thing that peeves me is the new Goodyear belts are cheaper. I bought the 2003 belt and installed it myself. If it craps on me in less than 5000 I'm ether going to upgrade to the 04 kit or just go with the chain conversion. | ||
| Whitexc |
All did not go well...I had my boat sold and due to the title having a lean on it from the original owner...dude backed out. This means that the sweet bike I was going to get probly won't happen...This Blows!!! | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch, well...he's a 'special' kind of person. I was waiting for that!  I have the newest Gates bely and have around 30K miles on it. Before the improved Gates belt, I went through three belts in no time. When it goes, or when I get all the parts together, I'll be going with the "life time" belt and pulleys. | ||
| Dapope |
Nearly 15K out of mine and running strong. Just sold it to a buddy. The whole bike that is. | ||
| Vdubfro |
7000 on mine. I already ordered the 03-04 upgrade. I ride in some back hill roads, no cell phone reception and banjos playing in the background. I like the piece of mind. |
