Rock Stuck in Drive belt : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Parade One · 06-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Somehow in the past week I got a rock stuck in my drive belt. It is about the size of a pea, it is barely poking out the top side, and on the bottom side you can barely see where it went in. I tried to dig it out and it is stuck, what I am wondering is will the belt be ok or will it break? It is very expensive to replace and I hate to be cheap but I was going to try to wait till I put my 6 speed in and kill two birds with one stone. Any suggestions or comments would be really apreciated. This is on an 06 FLHRl Thanks

TXCHOP · 06-12-2007, 09:55 PM

Hard to tell without seeing it....An 06 had the narrow belt so how much surface did it affect? If the pebble is in the middle of the belt, it MAY be o.k. to ride for a while. If its on the side, than i would change it.....Belts are a little over 200, gaskets about 50. Labor, if you cant do yourself, I would say at least 3-5 hours depending on the shop...

Do you have a pic by any chance? When are you doing the 6 speed?

la9 · 06-12-2007, 09:59 PM

I think there was just a thread about that on here.

I'll try to find it. Depends on how the belt is damaged as to whether you'll need to replace it.

You might get lucky

masstch · 06-12-2007, 11:11 PM

I think you definitely need to remove the rock. Unlike a nail in a tire, its presence isn't prolonging your ride but causing ever more damage to very expensive sprockets every time it goes 'round. How long the belt may last, I dont know, but the rock has got to go.

Chief270 · 06-12-2007, 11:18 PM

The rock and the belt both need to go in my opinion. The way you describe the rock is imbedded and through both surfaces. Potentially ruins your day to have the belt go south at speed...and that is a possibility.

berserker · 06-12-2007, 11:20 PM

Its a PIA to do, but I know I couldn't ride around with a damaged belt. Not based on knowledge, but it would make me paranoid. Having to tow the bike home, for something you had to fix sooner or later, just seems like something you will be kicking yourseld in the ass about. IMO

Shaw_2112 · 06-13-2007, 08:07 AM

Your belt is toast, change it.

David III · 06-13-2007, 12:40 PM

Happened with me when I lived on a gravel road. If it's in the edge of the belt or tearing at the edge, the belt is done. If it's in the middle, take an awl and stick into the rock and push it out, doesn't matter which way but definitely out because the rock is tearing at the belt and the sprocket.
You'll end up with a hole (duh...) -- and the very important thing to do is keep an eye on it. If the belt starts to separate at all around that hole, new belt time.
My belt (92 Softail Custom) has probably half a dozen holes in it that you can see through, say 1/8" diameter or so. Some are 30,000 miles old.
My disclaimer: I do not do burnouts or other stuff, the bike is ridden fast but easy, so I'm not hammering on the belt.

Krayven Sumhead · 06-13-2007, 05:37 PM

If the stone has done damage to the sprockets , a new belt won't last. You should inspect the engine drive sprocket and rear wheel sprocket for damage. The manual (sportster) sez to replace them from the get go. (Especially if a stone enters the belt and stays there.)

Parade One · 06-13-2007, 08:14 PM

I would like to thank everyone for their input. After hearing what everyone has to say I have decided to trash the old belt and put in a new belt and Screaming Eagle 6 speed transmission. I found that HalesHD sells their parts for 20% off if you tell them the part number you want. So I am ordering my stuff in the morning. Thanks again for everyones input. I really appreciate it.

berserker · 06-13-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parade One

I and Screaming Eagle 6 speed transmission..

That was a bit of a stretch, from what we said. But enjoy.

Shaw_2112 · 06-14-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berserker

That was a bit of a stretch, from what we said. But enjoy.

I think it was just an excuse, needed to justify the new tranny lol!

Parade One · 06-14-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

I think it was just an excuse, needed to justify the new tranny lol!

Well it is near my wifes birthday and she has been good this year so I thought I would surprise her with a new transmission and drive belt.

Shaw_2112 · 06-15-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parade One

Well it is near my wifes birthday and she has been good this year so I thought I would surprise her with a new transmission and drive belt.

I'm sure she'll love it!

Need a place to stay?

bagga · 06-15-2007, 01:52 PM

i had a stone get stuck in my drive belt when we were entering yellowstone park. the stone was embedded in the belt and sticking out the other side of the belt. we were about 1200 miles from home. i took a screwdriver and poked the stone out of the belt. the hole wasn't too big but the hole was all the way through. i rode the bike for 11 years like that and never had a problem until the teeth on the belt started to peel off.