| Author | Message | ||
     Jerseyguy |
I just pulled the rear wheel on my XB9S to remachine the flange on the back sprocket (another story) and I'm thinking I'd like to leave all that plastic belt cover crap off. I know they are trying to protect the belt but I wonder how necessary the covers REALLY are. Are there any horror stories out there of bad stuff that happened when running coverless? Steve | ||
| M1combat |
Well, I guess it hasn't been PROVEN that it's covers, but I seem to recall that people that have the old style and or have removed the belt covers have more trouble with broken belts... I believe that it is possible to upgrade to the new style which looks much better... | ||
| Dasxb9s |
I get a bunch of little rocks building up on the black plastic fenderette (my word) there at the swingarm near the oil cap area. I am afraid that without the belt guard... these little rocks that collect there will also end up on the belt... causing premature belt failure. No proof of this... but I figure they put the homely belt guard on for a reason. AND... at some point (probably belt failure) I plan on upgrading to the 04 belt system. | ||
| Misato |
yup, I like them off. BUT 1st belt had 1500m before it broke, and now I'm at 3550m and climbing. its meant to stay on. (yes mine is still off) I also plan on getting the '04 belt system, but I'll wait until this one breaks. | ||
| Xb9rski |
My guard is still on and I have 19051 miles on my original belt. I'm not pulling wheelies either so I'm sure that helps the life of the belt. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Das - I get those little rocks on top of the rear fender too. It obviously wouldn't be good for them to get between the belt & pulley. BTW, I did a bit of machining on the rear pulley this morning and the cast aluminum they have used is quite brittle. Steve | ||
| Dasxb9s |
Sooo... Jerseyguy You got some secret trick to get more HP to the rear tire by means of streamlining the rear pulley??? I want to change to the new belt system... but from posts... it appears the costs are about $600.00 plus for the parts. Do you REALLY like living in Jersey??? With all those cool tools and things like the lift pieces for your jack that you made... wouldn't you really rather live in Independence, Missouri... I think there is a house for sale on my block... HEY... we could share tools... you can use mine (like you don't already have what I have) and I can learn to use things like CNC machines etc... I like the idea... I have some ideas for modifications to my EasyRizer lift... and all I need is some machining skills... machining equipment and a good welder... THINK ABOUT ME... move to Missouri! What do ya think... a plan... you could become a member of the KC Mob! | ||
| Azfirebolt |
I have managed EagleRider for almost 5 years,(Harley Rentals). We've taken belt guards off a few bikes, only a couple have eaten rocks. Actually poking through the belt. Point is, it's a freak thing, but it can happen. Take that the way you want. Changing a belt on Buells is 1000 xz easier than a Harley though!! | ||
| Jerseyguy |
LOL DAS, Jersey isn't as bad as its portrayed although if we could just get rid of the people...... I cut my Christmas tree last week a couple of miles from my house down a long dirt road with a foot of snow on it. I had to stop for a herd of deer, then a bunch of wild turkeys (the feathered kind). A bit down the road we stopped to watch a herd of buffalo grazing in a field alongside the road. It's really not all highways and a'holes..... well there are a lot of a'holes... When I get a moment I'll do a post on my pulley modification. I'm a bit embarrassed to show how anal I am about how things should be made right. Like I've said before, I'm an engineer and I just can't help myself. The mod has to do with possibly improving belt life & not HP. Steve | ||
| Easyflier |
Das, DaveS has a special on the '04 conversion this month and if you consider the cost of a belt, when it does give out, the cost isn't too bad. Unfortunately Christmas has me sidelined in regards to toys for my bike right now. | ||
| Anonymous |
Quote - Well, I guess it hasn't been PROVEN... NO, it HAS been proven. Why do you think we put those covers on there in the first place? It DAMN sure was not because we thought they looked good. | ||
| Misato |
its better to be dead and cool, then alive and uncool  | ||
| Darthane |
Leave them on. Paint them, decal them, whatever. I have 15k on my original belt with no problems. However, as noted above, I'm not a wheelie maniac either, which has got to be eaesier on my belt...plus, I don't twist them in knots trying to get the rear wheel off like Glitch! hehe... | ||
| Hardluckxb |
As proven on the board, there are going to be belt problems with or without them. shed 'em get naked!!! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
The guards are there more to keep YOU out of the belt then to add true protection. If it were true protection the guards would completely enclose the belt. | ||
| Glitch |
At least I get to go ridin' this afternoon...  maybe I should change from "Glitch" to "BeltBuster" | ||
| Reepicheep |
"As proven on this board", removing your guards is the kiss of death for your belt. But if it's that important to you, pull the covers. People do stupider and more expensive things in the name of aesthetics. I went the forcewinder route on my M2 for the same reason (pure aesthetics). I then spent a year putzing with breather routing, rejetting, vent grinding, etc. etc. It was worth it. But don't come whining back to us when the belt then breaks, and don't go publicly slamming belts as a result. | ||
| Blake |
"If it were true protection the guards would completely enclose the belt." Might want to look closely at your belt guards. | ||
| Bud |
That’s exactly my thought, Bite the bullet, and take responsibility for you actions gr,B | ||
| Darthane |
"At least I get to go ridin' this afternoon..." ...yeah, screw you! LOL | ||
| Bykergeek |
Belt guards are just another example of "The Man" trying to keep a Buellin' brutha down...  | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Blake you can still get small stones in the belt with the guards as they are, to me that isn't total coverage. Buell could go closer and cover even more of the belt if they really wanted to. |
