| Author | Message | ||
     Pcmodeler  |
What are the advantages and what needs to be converted? Am I correct that the major advantage was the use of a thicker, kevlar enforced belt? Is it worth the upgrade?? | ||
| Lovematt  |
When I get to the point of where the pulleys need to be replaced, I plan to upgrade. Apparently the newer belt is bigger, stronger, and has a longer rated service life. It might not be covered as much as the 2003 models but it would make sense to me. I have inspected the 2004 and 2005 models and I just like what I see in terms of the construction. | ||
| Daveinm |
The new belt looks much better...from the "looks" of it  I just snapped my original belt. I had about 16,000 miles on it. I wanted to replace it with a new belt, but didn't realize they were totally different. I thought that Goodyear had just taken over and made an identical looking belt that was just stronger. Gates used to make the belt. The new belt has 14mm tooth pitch. The old one is 11mm. So the teeth are bigger on the new one. Apparently Gates owns the patent on an 11mm tooth pitch belt(heard from a reliable source). I'm not educated enough on the technical differences between the 11mm and 14mm to say which ones better, but again, the new belt just looks stronger. I put an old belt on my bike. Didn't want to wait or spend the money right now on the conversion kit. I know American Sport Bike has the kit for just under $400. I'm gonna upgrade when this one snaps. My only concern with the new conversion kit is the amount of teeth(or reverse of teeth) on the pulleys, or size of the pulleys. The new rear pulley looks like it's definitely bigger than the old one. I thought that a bigger rear pulley means more power, but lower top speed. A smaller front pulley means more power, but again, you loose a bit on top speed. Can anyone elaborate on this? | ||
| Ingemar |
Both the front and the rear pulley are bigger, so the ratio remains the same. | ||
| Starter  |
I'm not sure Gates own the patent on the 11mm pitch belt as there are plenty of other manufacturers supplying them. Goodyear (and lots of others) do make them but the hard part is getting one with the right number of teeth. For the 14mm belts there is a Dayco Panther belt available with the right number of teeth for about US$160. I did a fair bit of research on this nearly a year back and found what the Aust Importer of Goodyear claimed to be an industry equivalent 14mm belt (BlackHawk PD from memory) but it wasn't standard in width or length. Besides, in the US the price Buell is offering the Goodyear belt was fairly competitive. The only reason I was looking for alternative was the $430 Australian the Buell belt costs here. Just FYI, 14mm pitch belt has 128 teeth and is 28mm wide. Most Custom Harley shops stock belts of this description whether they be Goodyear or other manufacturers. | ||
| Thansesxb9rs  |
I thought that they came out with a new belt just for the 03. I thought the old belt started with an F in the part # and the new one has a G. Dave do you have any answers to this question. | ||
| Gentleman_jon  |
New 2003 Belt: G0500.02A8R Old 2003 Belt: G0500.02A8F | ||
| Anonymous |
OK guys, here's the scoop. Starter, Gates owns the patent on the 11mm belt with the tooth profile used on 2003 Buells. The 11mm Goodyear belt has a different profile that is not compatible with the sprockets that fit the Gates. To avoid people putting the wrong belts on the wrong sprockets, we changed to a 14mm belt with a more standard profile. The big advantage of the Goodyear belt is that its construction allows much more mishandling and debris damage than does the Gates. Ultimate strengths are similar, but the Gates is more brittle, for lack of a better word. Bend the Gates sharply, as often happens in a tire change without exactly following the manual, or damage it with a sharp stone, and it will fail much sooner. Stone damage reduction is the reason for the complex belt guards on the 2003s. The Goodyear construction is much more supple and tough and can handle more FOD and mishandling. But, take care of your Gates on your 2003, replace it if you see stone damage and at recommended intervals, and you'll be fine. | ||
| Pcmodeler |
Thanks. I was wondering why the guard was so much (Message edited by blake on February 01, 2005) | ||
| Evaddave  |
Dave put together an entire belt upgrade package for the '03s. I did a quick search but came up empty. Maybe if we talk about him enough, his ears will start to burn and he'll look in here.  | ||
| Daves  |
I'll get on it tomorrow for you guys! | ||
| Anonymous |
Pcmodel, It's the 2003 that is more enclosed to keep stones away. The 2004+ is more open because the Goodyear system is more forgiving. | ||
| Nedwreck  |
Boy, that Anonymous Person knows Everything ! Thanks, Anonymous Person, whoever you are. Bob | ||
| Brad_buell  |
Thanks Anonymous for ALL the information! Is the New 2003 "R" belt a reliable improvement over the Old "F" belt? -Brad (Message edited by brad_buell on February 01, 2005) | ||
| Pcmodeler |
Sorry, I meant to say why the guard was so much more enclosing THAN on the 2004+. | ||
| Anonymous |
Brad, It's a significant improvement, better against stones and higher total strength, but it still needs care in installation. | ||
| Brad_buell |
Thanks again Anonymous. Was there ever a recall on the "F" belt? -Brad | ||
| Blake |
I'll take that one. No, there was never a recall on the "F" belt. | ||
| Lovematt |
Dangit...just got a belt from my dealer and asked about an "updated" belt and I got the 02A8F...guess thats what I get for not ordering from Dave eh. I was wondering though...does anyone know how long the pulleys are rated for in terms of mileage? I see some small pits in the center of the rear pulley (front looks good) at 11,000 miles...figure by 30,000 miles might be a good idea to do the upgrade anyways.... | ||
| Tbs_stunta |
Are signs of stone damage obvious? Even if you leave the guards on? | ||
| Lovematt |
Yes...if you look at the exposed section on the inside of the belt(where the teeth mesh with the pulleys) there will be chunks missing or holes or even the stone still being embedded in the belt. If it only messes a little with one of the teeth that might not be a problem but if there is a puncture through to the other side of the belt then that is bad and likely a replacement may be needed...depends upon the damage. If a belt is clearly splitting into two pieces along its width that is bad and if there are obvious splits in a jagged shape anywhere that belt is not going to last much longer,..as I say depends upon the damage. Belts are supposed to stay dimensionally stable after about the first 100-200 miles...if they start changing shape or lose part of their structure of any significance then they are due for replacement. |
