What would you do? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Paniolo · 07-27-2007, 02:29 PM

So I got to have a new tire installed on the rear today. As the wrench is removing the rear wheel, he calls me over to look at something in my belt.

I picked up a rock that worked its way all the way through the belt. I made some calls, and it looks like I'm facing about $600.00 to change it out. That seems high, but that's what I was quoted by one dealer and one indy.

As I ride home, I tell myself that the bad news is I'll probably be out $600.00. The good news is that I found it before I hit the road later this summer.

I get home and look at the factory service manual. And if I understand their instructions correctly, the belt does NOT need to be replaced because the puncture is NOT on the edge. Does anyone else interpret this another way?

It shows the stone coming through the belt just like mine, and it says it's okay.
What's your gut feeling?

chrt396 · 07-27-2007, 02:39 PM

I had a similiar situation...! I had a rear tire installed and the HD tech did the same thing. I apparently picked up a what looks like a brad staple that got stuck in my belt and made it through the belt. He said I was lucky. HE says...that there are cords running through the belt and if the debris had cut through those cords, that it would be unsafe to ride. It appeared that it had not but he could not guarantee it. That was 13,000 miles ago. I was not ready to cough up the additional money at the time. I had to actually sign a waiver that stated that he warned me of a potential unsafe condition on the bike! That'll shrink up your nads!

Paniolo · 07-27-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrt396

I had a similiar situation...! I had a rear tire installed and the HD tech did the same thing. I apparently picked up a what looks like a brad staple that got stuck in my belt and made it through the belt. He said I was lucky. HE says...that there are cords running through the belt and if the debris had cut through those cords, that it would be unsafe to ride. It appeared that it had not but he could not guarantee it. That was 13,000 miles ago. I was not ready to cough up the additional money at the time. I had to actually sign a waiver that stated that he warned me of a potential unsafe condition on the bike! That'll shrink up your nads!

Thanks,

I'm hearing from seveal others who have had debris punch a hole through the belt. I'm not feeling as uneasy as I was before. It's more common than I thought.

Plus, I don't abuse the bike, I don't do hole shots, burn outs, or hammer it coming off the line.

Mark

FUJIMO99 · 07-29-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paniolo

So I got to have a new tire installed on the rear today. As the wrench is removing the rear wheel, he calls me over to look at something in my belt.

I picked up a rock that worked its way all the way through the belt. I made some calls, and it looks like I'm facing about $600.00 to change it out. That seems high, but that's what I was quoted by one dealer and one indy.

As I ride home, I tell myself that the bad news is I'll probably be out $600.00. The good news is that I found it before I hit the road later this summer.

I get home and look at the factory service manual. And if I understand their instructions correctly, the belt does NOT need to be replaced because the puncture is NOT on the edge. Does anyone else interpret this another way?

It shows the stone coming through the belt just like mine, and it says it's okay.
What's your gut feeling?

It would make me a little nervous. Its a lot of money but I would change it. If it breaks it could end up being more expensive. If you don't I would keep a close eye on it. IMHO!

Geezer-Glide · 07-29-2007, 05:17 PM

Run it..........

48540 · 07-29-2007, 05:45 PM

In '97 a rock cut my belt in the center. I sold the bike in 98, and it was not until the guy who bought it, doing a burnout, broke the belt 3 years later. It had about 45,000 miles on it after the initial cut, so I say ride it, and keep an eye on it.

Y2K · 07-29-2007, 06:53 PM

It's a crap shoot at best,I wouldn't take off on a long trip with that belt.
I put a few thousand miles on one like that at it broke leaving a stoplight one day.

route66paul · 07-29-2007, 08:04 PM

I would keep one of the temporary belts in my saddlebag, they will get you home.

vafatboy · 07-29-2007, 09:06 PM

Been running a belt with the same thing, center punched by a stone. 30,000k ago. No BS.

84FXRP · 07-30-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEDELUXE

how much is a belt???????
600 bucks to replace a belt seems like a lot. im pretty sure your capable of doing it your self with a few tools. if im wrong im sorry but for that much you can do a whole chain conversion and still have money left.

FYI here is a link to Harley Hog's web site step-by-step replacement of the drive belt on his dresser.

Note: His first comment is have the HD manual.

http://www.harleyhog.co.uk/belt%20install%201.htm

Paniolo · 07-30-2007, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84FXRP

FYI here is a link to Harley Hog's web site step-by-step replacement of the drive belt on his dresser.

Note: His first comment is have the HD manual.

http://www.harleyhog.co.uk/belt%20install%201.htm

Thanks for the link, I remember seeing that years ago, and forgot all about it. I have a Factory Service Manual. That's what I used to review and find the belt pics I posted. What I don't have are all the tools. I may have to make a trip to Sears at some time.

I marked the area with some red paint. That will help me keep an eye on it. If the belt starts fraying, or shredding, I'll get it changed out. I did check the rear sprocket, and it looked like normal wear. No gouges from the rock.

When I do replace it, I'll probably go with the thinner belt set up so I can run a wider tire.

evergreen8200 · 07-31-2007, 09:57 PM

I too had a rock puncture my belt, and the size and location of it looked a lot like you are showing in your picture...I just pushed it on out from the top with a scratch awl and wound up running around like that with a hole in my belt to the tune of another 30,000 miles just like vafatboy said above...as it turns out, and when I finally had the money, I eventually replaced the belt for the same reason you had mentioned, a narrower belt for a wider tire, and also because I pretty much had to do so, as the new pulley was a 70 tooth vs the stock 65 tooth...also worth mentioning, I think that rock may have been stuck in my belt for quite a while before I noticed it though, because it sure didn't do my stock pulley any favors either, but I still went that extra 30,000 miles with a hole in my belt AND a groove worn into the teeth of my pulley, which never did seem to cause anymore damage to the belt, but I was somewhat inclined to keep an eye on it.