Harley/Buell owners question re: belt drives

MD · 30th August 2007, 18:05

I'm curious how others have found belt drives versus chain. The F800S belt so far, 17,500km, has been bril. No adjustment, no oiling, no grease and grime over the rear wheel. Looking good for it lasting the claimed 40,000km without attention.
The Harley & Buell belts are slightly narrower than the beemer and more exposed.
Has anyone experienced a broken belt from a stone or whatever?
Cheers
Mark

**cynna** · 30th August 2007, 18:21

i had a stone caught in my guard that made a groove the whole way round my belt which is quite deep. this happened wjust after i got my bike at 20000k its now up to about 80 000k and hasnt got worse. will try and remember to put a pic up

i keep expecting it to split it 2 but so far so good........... fingers crossed

i used to lube it but gave up when i put the groove in it. only really gets adjusted when i put a new tyre on. its great - no complaints here

**doc** · 30th August 2007, 18:25

Originally Posted by MD

I'm curious how others have found belt drives versus chain. The F800S belt so far, 17,500km, has been bril. No adjustment, no oiling, no grease and grime over the rear wheel. Looking good for it lasting the claimed 40,000km without attention.
The Harley & Buell belts are slightly narrower than the beemer and more exposed.
Has anyone experienced a broken belt from a stone or whatever?
Cheers
Mark

Got 70,000km from one belt, when they go it's like you missed a gear . Mate picked me up from Bombay Xrds with his trailer, so he had to drive past everyone we knew on the way home sounding off his airhorns. All I get now is comments about that was the fastest Harely they had seen in ages.

**Shadows** · 30th August 2007, 18:32

Originally Posted by cynna

i had a stone caught in my guard that made a groove the whole way round my belt which is quite deep. this happened wjust after i got my bike at 20000k its now up to about 80 000k and hasnt got worse. will try and remember to put a pic up

i keep expecting it to split it 2 but so far so good........... fingers crossed

i used to lube it but gave up when i put the groove in it. only really gets adjusted when i put a new tyre on. its great - no complaints here

It sounds like that groove will probably be OK for a while. Apparently they can tear really easily if they get a nick on the edge though. I've heard of them lasting 80,000k plus if undamaged.
I love them too. No oil everywhere, no maintenance, and smoother power delivery.

**ajturbo** · 30th August 2007, 21:35

mine broke at 15thou MILES... but then again blackbuell used to own it....

some go for 20-50k...

**oldguy** · 30th August 2007, 22:03

Originally Posted by MD

I'm curious how others have found belt drives versus chain. The F800S belt so far, 17,500km, has been bril. No adjustment, no oiling, no grease and grime over the rear wheel. Looking good for it lasting the claimed 40,000km without attention.
The Harley & Buell belts are slightly narrower than the beemer and more exposed.
Has anyone experienced a broken belt from a stone or whatever?
Cheers
Mark

I was also wondering about that as well, broken belt is just one of those things that could happen, Big Dave rides his Buell on metal roads and I don't think he's broken a belt, yet Mike (BlackBuell) broke his drive belt on one of our Thursday night rides, just one of those things.
Mike had to replace the rear tyre on my Buell, came round to show me how to remove the wheel, it was so simple and just as easy to refit, no adjustments needed, and as you said no oiling or grease, it also looks a relatively easy job to install a new belt, worst part would be buying a new belt $$$

Big ups to Mike (BlackBuell)

for sorting out a New rear tyre and also went the xtra mile and thru in some engine oil,

**Skunk** · 30th August 2007, 23:19

I know of one Buell that broke six belts in six months (one was with less than 50 metres on it) and nothing could be found wrong with the bike. It got converted to chain drive.

Other people I have spoken to have had no issues at all.

**Bruiser** · 31st August 2007, 00:29

First was after nicks found across the belt in two places and just prior to a Sth Island trip (too risky!). The second happened after a quick trip to the BOI back in March this year. Some road works south of Kawakawa and I felt nervous of the stones but got home to Auckland safely.

Following weekend I backed the Harley out of the garage to do the Toy run, put her into 1st, felt the box click into gear, let the clutch out and nothing happens. Changed back in and out of neutral but still no sign of movement so dropped back onto the side stand and got off to see the belt lying behind the rear wheel.

I found the stone still embedded and a 5mm bruise on the inside of the belt yet somehow it had kept together for over 150km and didn't let go until the very next ride, go figure!

Had done over 20k on that belt so can't moan.

**ajturbo** · 31st August 2007, 06:51

you get the "buell" belts from the usa... they are nearly HALF the price i can get them here..!

**Rashika** · 31st August 2007, 07:02

yep direct from the USA would be the way to get one.

I've replaced mine at about 20ks it was... it was just looking a bit worn in places, so thought it would be best as i was planning 2 large trips round NZ at the time, and didn't want to be caught out. The old one will do as a spare, and prob get a whole out more mileage out of it, but i'm cautious.
The current one has done about 8000 and looks as good as new.

Actually when you price up a good chain and sprockets it works out the same or cheaper with the belt, and def none of that messy shit going on with chain lube.

**Omega1** · 31st August 2007, 07:32

Hi Mark,

I have 63000kms on my wideglide and I'm pretty sure that its got the original belt.I must say I love the fact that I don't have to use the chain lube anymore and I make sure I check it occassionaly for damage.On US websites Guys talk of getting over 100k on a belt luck of the draw I suppose.I'd hate to have it snap and strand me though (touch wood)
Cheers
O1

**Taz** · 31st August 2007, 07:40

The belts on the Ulysses like Big Daves are very well enclosed so that stones are unlikely to get to the belt.

My bikes got one of those shaft thingy's so that works pretty well too.

**fishb8nz** · 31st August 2007, 08:27

I've read reports of 100, 000 miles on a belt and many over 60 k miles. A few belts damaged by stones that caused premature life.
Love the no-hassle stuff.
http://f650.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=14
This is a "Black Belt" forum which has belt life postings.

**peasea** · 31st August 2007, 12:32

Originally Posted by fishb8nz

I've read reports of 100, 000 miles on a belt and many over 60 k miles. A few belts damaged by stones that caused premature life.
Love the no-hassle stuff.
http://f650.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=14
This is a "Black Belt" forum which has belt life postings.

I bought my bike from the original owner with the original belt at 50,000k's, the belt had one minor stone 'ding' in it and I just rode it sensibly until it finally gave up the ghost (in the driveway thankfully) at 90,000.

MD · 31st August 2007, 12:47

Thanks for the responses.
I must ask the shop next time I'm in what does a replacement belt cost. Mind you I have not kept a bike long enough to need to replace chains or sprockets, so I doubt I need to bother.

No one has mentioned what the cost is?

I like how I can remove the rear wheel and drop it in for a tyre change without touching the belt drive i.e. no loosening/removing/refitting. Brilliant setup. You can remove and refit a wheel in a minute. Sounds like the Buells are the same. What about Harley rear wheel removal?
Mark