| Author | Message | ||
     Jdorp_ |
im thinking of removing the plastic guards from around the rear swingarm. is this a good idea or a bad idea? what are the bad things with the '03 belt system? | ||
| Bcool83 |
There are many threads on here that discuss the downsides of the 03 belt system...but in a nutshell, the belt isn't as strong as later models IIRC. As for removing the guards...I just did this on my 03 9S a few months ago. You don't need to remove the rear wheel, but you do need to remove the swingarm brace. I just removed the upper cover, then cut the backing plate in half - so the lower cover remains. I figure there's not much stuff that will come in from above, but there are still rocks, sticks, pieces of metal, small kittens, etc, that could get wedged between the belt and pulley from underneath if I removed the lower guard. | ||
| Mr2shim |
I'd be afraid of touching the belt. The tensile strength of it is severely weakened if it was even slightly mishandled during a tire change or belt replacement, was stated in a recent issue of Fuell. If you have the spare $$$, upgrade or go chain. | ||
| Jdorp_ |
i was thinking of upgrading, but would never go chain. too dirty and loud. but think i will wait till she snaps or gets more worn. | ||
| Evil_twin |
I snapped my original belt on my 03. When I replaced it with the updated version (still the smaller belt), I took off my guards. 2K later, I still haven't had a problem. It's up to you. Misc things can happen, it's just a chance you take. | ||
| Bcool83 |
---I'd be afraid of touching the belt. The tensile strength of it is severely weakened if it was even slightly mishandled during a tire change or belt replacement, was stated in a recent issue of Fuell.--- You shouldn't be afraid of it persay, I just think you should be more cautious when dealing with it. I've had mine off twice now with no problems (only 4500 miles on the bike though). | ||
| Punkid8888 |
I just took off my lower belt guard, but I have an 06 | ||
| Cycleaddict |
the 03 is known to have the most fragile belt of the XBs.... removing the excellent belt guards IS asking for trouble! if "looks" is more important than reliability , by all means remove 'em.(i'm sure you got a cell phone to call for help?) if reliability is a concern, leave the belt guards on ! | ||
| Slinger |
I have an 03 9S that I bought brand new. I took the belt guard off after having it for about a year. I have had absolutely no problems AND I still have the original belt.....the one that has been prone to snapping. Oh, I also tend to ride the snot out of my bike. | ||
| Whitey04 |
how many times has your belt sucked something in? For that matter how many times has a chain sucked something in. I'm willing to bet that the belts on these bike is a ton more forgiving then anything you'd find riding around on the street, except another harley. As far a stretching goes, look at that idler pulley thats solid mounted to the bike. Its not forgiving when the suspension is fully stretched. Then when the bike bottoms out its almost doing nothing. And this whole suspension thing goes on and on hundreds of times as you ride. I think this belt set up is very well designed, and I'd never switch to chain unless I absolutely had to. Besides the belt guards can't stop everything. | ||
| Mr2shim |
^^^ You're very right, Whitey04. But with the 03 belt. It's tensile strength is weakened if/when it is mishandled. Meaning if someone bent it the wrong way slightly, it won't preform as well as it should have. The probability of it failing is greatly increased opposed to a chain or the 06+ Belt. Take a tungsten carbide end mill for example. It'll out preform outlast and practically out do any High Speed End mill. But, if you drop it, yo may as well throw it away. If you drop a HSS tool bit, the damage will be little to none. Basically the belt is brittle. Which is not good when it comes time for a tire change. (Message edited by mr2shim on June 16, 2008) | ||
| Whitey04 |
I was ranting more on the belt guard thing the belt in general not one year in specific. But I'm still kinda new to the buell seen and have heard this 03 thing quite a bit. But I'm watching this thread because I am going to take my guards off and wanted to see if anyone just had a terrible horror story. (Message edited by whitey04 on June 17, 2008) | ||
| Lightningstrikes |
Bought my bike used in the spring of last year. It did not have any kind of belt guards on it. I've been riding it for year and a half now with no problems. I didn't even think the 03's had them, thought they first came out on the 04 models when they switched belts.   |
