| Author | Message | ||
     Skyguy |
Ok this is the last freaking time. Damm belt has eight months use and is ready to break again. Well under the 12,000 miles it is supposed to go. To make it even better the damm idler pulley surface is rough as all hell and will likely tear up a new belt. Is this what I get for riding in snow, and rain this winter? I will now have a total of three drive belts purchased in two years. This is freaking B.S. I wanna shove that thing up someones at Buells tush. I am to freaking poor to be spending this kind of money on shiot that is breaking way before the service interval. No freaking warrenty on the belt for less than a years use (8,000 miles). The lack of a recall, the lack of my stealership knowing about the nessecary upgrade and selling me two 03 belts now and the fact I now have to spend another $400.00 dollars to get something that may last is going to result in me not ever buying another Buell. I feel so freaking burned about this I want to scream. Thanks a lot BMC! All the money I saved on gas this year I get to spend on freaking belts and pulleys. This stuff is defective!!!! I am tempted to ride the thing until it breaks in heavy traffic, hopefully getting hit and injured just enough to sue. As it is I am going to spend as many hours calling customer service as it takes to offset the profit they are making off selling me garbage. Sorry but this is really the last thing I need right now and I have to blow off some steam or the bike is going over a cliff. I want to love my bike I want to say Erik is the greatest designer ever. But dammit letting us 03 bolt owners get burned on belts is B.S. So many have broken prematurly that I am tempted to start a class action lawsuit. Wonder if I could find enough people who had early failures to make it worth it.............. I am so freaking mad right now I am going to blow a seam any minute. Starting to think it is all BUELLSHIOT.     | ||
| Skully |
Tim, It is my understanding that there is an upgrade belt available for the 2003 XBs. Were you aware of this? Check with one of our sponsors. Keith | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have the upgraded steel link belt on my 03. I don't expect it to fray or snap without warning in the middle of no where as long as I spend a couple of minutes once in a while looking it over, cleaning it and taking care of it. Great peace of mind. The steel link belt is also known as a chain.  I can even change my final drive ratios! I highly recommend it to those suffering from IBS (Ir-reputable Belt Syndrome)which is only marginally better than irritable bowel syndrome.  I know a lot of people get a lot of miles out of their belts, some people seem to have more trouble than others. I understand the reason people like low maintenance belts. They are not zero maintenance however. You have to keep an eye on them (around the belt guards) and even then they still fail sometimes. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Maybe you should get a chain conversion kit. | ||
| Skyguy |
Hey Diablo how much was your steel link belt setup? Wait, I just got off American Sport Bike site and it is $900.00!!! Guess it is the 400.00 dollar route for me. Does anyone think I can get the belt replaced under warrenty (my bikes regular warrenty is out)? Damm fun bike to ride but my peace of mind is gone in regards to the freaking P.O.S. belt. I would trust a chain more but this is hitting me at the worst possible time as I am trying to get it together to move to NorCal and am on a serious budget. In fact this money was supposed to be for a used balloon trailer.......... I don't know what I am going to do for a trailer now ): Damm I used to have money............. There is an old aviation saying, goes like this. Do you know how to make a small fortune in aviation? Start with a large one. (Message edited by skyguy on May 25, 2006) | ||
| Saintly |
But dammit letting us 03 bolt owners get burned on belts is B.S. ....... Wonder if I could find enough people who had early failures to make it worth it.............. Man ain't that the truth! I went thru the exact same shit that your going thru, but mine all broke within one years time! I say that 03 owners should be offered all the parts to convert to the 06 setup for a fair price (such as the cost of ONE belt) It's bullcrap that we got screwed with a flawed design while eveyone with 04 & up get's a happy face! You may want to consider converting to chain. I did, after getting no satisfaction from BMC, and getting stranded 3 times. Cost less that $140 to convert! I'll post a link for you. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/142058.html?1147956988#POST503082 (Message edited by saintly on May 25, 2006) | ||
| T9r |
I've got a perfectly used 03 belt I'll sell ya for $50. I've done all the maintenance with it and made sure not to bend or twist it. That is $50 shipped. Bargain price because I feel so bad for you. I'll give you the 2/2 warranty on it... 2 feet 2 minutes.  | ||
| Debueller |
The '06 belt isn't all that. My 1st one broke at 7700 miles and was replaced under warranty. I just dug a stone the size of a BB out of my 2nd one. I'm sure it's days are numbered. The stealer would not replace it untill it completly fails. That could be thousands miles from home. I bought one from Daves out of my own pocket to replace the damaged one. As soon as the warranty is up I might go to a chain or maybe a new & improved Uly with a chain drive will be offered. I would definetly be interested in upgrading to a new bike with the reliability of a chain drive. I was having a ball with my Uly on the 1st belt, snappin' the clutch and poppin' wheelies. Now I've cooled it on that. Having a bike with all that torque and a strong clutch but being afraid of using it is a shame.  : (Message edited by debueller on May 25, 2006) | ||
| Buell920 |
I've seen this a lot, even on new 06' after looking into it I found that----hard down shift, high speed 100+ and bouncing of the limiter, bending the belt during instalation or inspection ( more than half way), are the most common reasons for belt failure. not that you are doing this but think about it on the next belt. IMHOP. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
It sucks that you have to keep brining this up Skyguy. It seems like an every couple of months thing for you. I would say that there is probably a cause for all of your problems that has nothing to do with the belt. It sounds like your pulleys are screwed up somehow to me. Also, didn't you say in another post that you've replaced your belt with the original 03 belt instead of the updated ones every time because the people you bought it from didn't know about the updates? I only got 7K out of my 04 belt, so it isn't only the 03s that have problems. Luckily I found a dealership in Topeka KS that would give me an 06 belt under warranty! I've put 4K on the 06 belt since and it is showing no signs of wear what so ever. As for the wheelies and breaking the belts, I don't think that is as big of a problem as Debueller is making it out to be. I ride wheelies constantly in parking lots and in 3rd on the highway and my belt broke because it was damaged during a tire change. Another friend of mine has 18,000 miles on his 03 S and he rides wheelies as much or more than I do without any problems. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I think I have personally only seen one belt break. That was my old bosses bike. We were at the track directly after we made a tire change in the pits, prior to knowing about how to handle them. (completely our fault, we bent the crap out of it in a rush to put it all back together) We borrowed a belt off another guys bike at the track, and it is still on there nearly 3 years later and gets the crap beat out of it every day it gets rode. It has a 1050 kit, headwork, etc. It is mostly used for track days and the old style '03 belt has held up just fine. This bike has been crashed 6 times (I think they should recall those damn tires, they let loose at the most inopertune times ) and yet the belt is just fine. We have another bike at the shop that it's main purpose was for a track bike and it seriously only got flogged with every ride. Original '03 belt, no guards, no problems. (crashed twice, stupid tires!) Dont know what to tell ya, sucks though. | ||
| Glitch |
At 43thousand miles I've broken 3 belts. The first was my own damn fault, while I was swapping tires. The second one, was from a not so informed dealer, so I ended up with the old style belt, and it broke. Third belt didn't really break. I was on the dyno-drags and ripped some teeth out of the new style belt, didn't notice the teeth were missing until about a month later when I was changing a tire. Forth belt still going strong. I know you're frustrated, and it's understandable. Sorry to hear your big fortune isn't big any longer. Best of luck with your fortune, and your Buell.  | ||
| Rhun |
I used to have a bike with a chain, seems like I replaced it real often too. I think I would look carefully at the alignment and condition of the pulleys and idler and make sure you have the correct pulleys for the belt. Regarding pulleys and belts as I understand there are differences between 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Anyone care to enlighten me as to which, if any, combinations can be used together?? | ||
| 99buellx1 |
'03 can only be used with '03 '04 and newer can be interchanged | ||
| Honu |
After breaking the original and the upgraded 03 belts, I installed the 04 belt and pulleys, no problems after 6k. But that upgrade cost me close to $600.00 with me doing the labor. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Trojan has a less expensive chain conversion IIRC. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Skyguy: Service Manual calls for idler pulley replacement at 15,000 miles. I've got an undamaged belt with nearly 17k on it, swapped it as preventive maintenance. My Sporty's belt broke at 43,000. Little consolation, I know. If it makes you feel better, I'm on my 3rd stator and 4th voltage regulator. | ||
| Spatten1 |
"I think I would look carefully at the alignment and condition of the pulleys and idler" How do you change alignment? Everyting is bolted in place with no adjustment, from what I've seen. | ||
| U4euh |
Tim, do you frequent sand, gravel, or dirt roads. I live down a sandy road, 22,000+ on my bike and I am on the 3rd belt. I found that the sand was eating at the belt, and the idler pulley really showed this. Luckily I have made some good freinds from this board and was able to get a new idler, plus I always have a belt in the garage. I would really look around at this point and try to find an old version belt for cheap, even a couple of them. Get your trailer, that is your bread and butter. Don't take this the wrong way, I do not mean to sound like an ass, but except the fact that the 03's were sold not up to par when the belt is concerned. I ride in a little bit more peace knowing that I have a spare to change to. I cannot also spend the money to do the upgrade, if it is even worth it? But I do plan on doing something when I can afford it, just not a priority at this moment, too many cheap belts out there to be had. Take T9r up on his offer, put on the belt, buy the trailer, move, then keep an eye open for another, for when it DOES BREAK! | ||
| Rhun |
Spatten1 I regret I haven't much experience or need to have with the pulley's on a Buell. But it is the same for all bikes. some have shims and spacers, some don't. Some have motors that got assembled crooked in frames, some have bent swing arms or the axle holes are off alignment. Sighting the pulley and idler alignment can detect a problem, but you'll probably need a professional to evoke a cure. Seems like I read somewhere that the strange adjustable sideways bolt in the front of the motor has something to do with alignment. Maybe it related to the Blast, I can't remember. | ||
| Ronlv |
i have a freespirits chain conversion like the one on my bike(but for a stock size rim) i can sell for a resonable price email me | ||
| Fullpower |
sky why dont you check the KNOWLEDGE VAULT. a number of people running CHAIN drive XB's around with good results. Tsubaki make a pretty nice nickel plated oring model for around 150 bucks. sprockets are available pretty inexpensively. 'Taint rocket science. | ||
| Skyguy |
After speaking with customer service I am going to fix the damm belt, linex the bodywork silver and sell the bike. The Buell is a fun machine to ride but BMC's lack of customer service on this is souring me on the brand. Yamaha R-6 was coming up a couple grand short of the advertised redline and they offered to buy them all back. This was despite them still being all kinds of fast. Yet Buell cant even split the cost of a much needed upgrade with their customers. I was so impressed with it when I got it but two years of daily driving later and I am starting to want to kick Erik in the nads. I can only hope he has no say in things such as this. This little $450.00 setback is hurting me in a big way and at the worst possible time. Not that the $450.00 or so I already spent on the two previous P.O.S. belts and subsequent flatbed rides home hurt any less................ Could the RR's inability to win races yet be tied to Karma? That being said any SoCal folks want to go Hot air ballooning or perhaps take a ride in a tandem paraglider? I need cash bad enough to date your grandmothers..................... (edited to meet Badweb policy) | ||
| Spatten1 |
Rhun, That makes sense, adjusting the engine position. One side of my '04 style belt is looking bad after three track days. I'm not thrilled about that and really don't want to screw with it, but don't want to get stranded either. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I'm going to check the manual for belt alignment procedures. | ||
| Skyguy |
Spatten save your time I already checked my manual. Nothing on 03 belt alignment. Why oh why did they put a cruiser part on a race bike? | ||
| Diablobrian |
Did you pm ronlv about his chain conversion? I'd rather sweat than bleed, wouldn't you? White is definitely the FASTEST color Buell. | ||
| Bads1 |
Buell isn't a race bike. The RR is a race bike. I just did the swap on the wifes 9 to the 06 set up. Sky do the swap and you won't look back. Buying a new bike when your strapped as it is,is going to cost you more then the update.Just my 2 penny's | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Sounds like you had a belt that the dealer mishandled. My brother, roommate, neighbor, a few other friends and I all have 03 XB's ranging from 10K to 40K. One has a 88in motor in it running the stock 03 belt. If the belt is handled correctly it will last a long time. Look on ebay for a new idler pully, I don't think they are that pricey new, and get your belt from DAVES!! You will save what you save in not paying sales tax will pay for your shipping. Install the belt yourself and be carefull not to kink it or twist it. Then enjoy many happy miles. It does not take very many tools or much time to change a belt. The 03 belt works fine when it is properly handled. | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Why are you spending $450 to replace your belt? Buy a idler pulley on ebay for $25 and a new belt from a sponsor total cost $200 install yourself free. So when you sell the Buell and buy another bike what are you going to do when you have problems with it and it costs you $500 in labor. The nice thing about the Buell is how easy it is to work on. |
