| Author | Message | ||
     Sifo |
Bike in question is a 2006 XB12Ss. Is the drive belt a lifetime belt? I seem to find conflicting info. I can't find a replacement interval in the owners manual. I have a factory service manual that specifies that the belt and idler pulley assembly be changed every 25,000 miles. American Sport Bike has a replacement that they say is an '08 version that fits '04 and up that is a lifetime belt. Who knows the real scoop on this? I'm past 33K miles on the original belt and wondering if I'm on borrowed time or not. Have folks also had the idler pulley fail often? Should this really be a service item? | ||
| Boliver |
Al at americansportbike knows his stuff and won't steer you wrong.Some people have belts break way sooner than 33k.I am at 25k on mine and it shows no signs of wear.Lots of factors weigh in on the life of your belt.How often it is exposed to water,cold weather,warm weather,popping wheelies,Jerking it in and out of gears.Each belt is as individual as we are.If you can't tell where the life wear is on your belt take some high res photos and post them.I'm sure some of the guys can help.If you got the money on hand go ahead and buy the belt so you will have it if and when it breaks.Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Sifo |
The belt looks great, but I understand that's no guarantee of anything. I've learned to be easy on parts in my riding style, but things still will wear and fail. I got a PM telling me it is a "lifetime" belt in '06, but still know that doesn't mean it will never fail. I think I'll just get the replacement from American Sport Bike and have the '08 longer lasting "lifetime" belt and keep the original as a spare. Still wonder about the idler pulley. | ||
| 1_mike |
Just get a spare set of idler bearings, no need to get the whole wheel. And as stated...NOTHING lasts for ever, no matter how it's used. I've got a spare belt for both my 12S and 2 for my 1125CR. 13,000+ miles on the CR...belt looks fine so far. And for my two cents, drive it...! No need to beat it...but absolutly no need to baby it either. Mike | ||
| Obiewan |
The shop foreman at the local Harley shop told me that the belt will last a long time, but if a rock or debris of some kind get caught between the belt and the pulley, it could cut the belt and cause it to fail sooner than normal. As tight as the belt is against the pulley, that make sense. He said that most of the ones he has seen fail was due to something like that and not normal wear and tear. keep it off the gravel / dirt roads etc.. | ||
| Penguin |
It IS a lifetime belt. It will ALWAYS be a belt. It will NEVER change. It was made a belt and will therefore ALWAYS be a belt. Now if it breaks, it will STILL be a belt. Just a broken belt. And whose LIFETIME are we talking about? The belts, the bikes or the rider? I have an '03 XB9R track-bike that has 6K and the belts fine. My '06 XB12Ss streetbike is on it's third belt at 19K. There are way too many variables that go into how long a belt will last. Kinda like asking how many miles I'll get out of my tires. It varies. A lot. | ||
| 1_mike |
Penguin - Completely untrue statements...! When a given "belt" that used to be a continuous circle, ceases to be a complete circle, it also "ceases" in being a belt useful in transfering power to the rear wheel of said vehicle...! It just becomes a useless, toothed strap, incapable of doing much of anything. Mike | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
It could be a belt to hold up your pants... | ||
| Brightbuell |
Bikertrash05 has a good point! It could hold your pants up for life. That would make it a life time belt. | ||
| Sifo |
Great news! I need a new belt for my pants. My old one just broke it's buckle. It was an HD buckle, I'll be looking for something else this time around. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Get something made in USA! | ||
| Brightbuell |
Great idea Gunut75,or if you cant find an American belt buy something made in Canada or a country that has equal trade agreements with the USA. See we still have tons of options with out China and child labor in the picture. I love this country! (Message edited by brightbuell on August 08, 2010) | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
This is a lifetime belt!!  | ||
| Andymnelson |
"lifetime belt" does NOT mean that it will last a lifetime (yours or the bikes). It does mean that the belt does not have a service interval- the non lifetime belts need to be replaced at a certain time (every 20,000 miles for example). The lifetime belts...well, I guess run 'em till they break! | ||
| Iamarchangel |
What Andy said. Yes, it's lifetime, whatever that means. Your real question is probably about a lifetime guarantee: no, it's not. The rest is just consumerese, and kind of a change from Buell. Probably a HD thing. Find out the latest suffix for your belt and see what you've got. Apparently the later they are, the better they are. | ||
| Sifo |
Is that belt buckle available anywhere? I would love to pick one of those up. EDIT: Nevermind. I just did a google search and found the story on that belt buckle.  That is way cool! (Message edited by SIFO on August 08, 2010) | ||
| Greg_e |
It is not useless, they make a great strap wrench: http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-rubber-strap- wrench-set-94119.html The rubber of this type of wrench stretches way too much, swapping for a drive belt or camshaft timing belt makes a huge difference. | ||
| Brightbuell |
I didnt see the story on the belt buckle? | ||
| Sifo |
Belt buckle story... http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/52 4733.html?1262011645 | ||
| Brightbuell |
Well we could all throw money in and not sell them make them at cost as art. I would love a peice of buell art at cost. I can print buell stickers all day long and give them away, or make them for people at cost, as long as I dont sell them. •••• harley they dont want Buell anyway they are not going to sue anyone. They dont want there name next to Buell. I can see it now Harleys lawyers in court battle over Buell Belt Buckles. No I cant see it. | ||
| Sifo |
I would love to find a big Buell patch that could be sewn on the back of my touring jacket to cover up the big "Harley Davidson". It's a great jacket that I don't want to replace before it's time, but I really hate wearing it on the Buell, especially now. | ||
| Joel9 |
sifo, on fleabay there is a buell pegasus patch that is 10 x 4in. use it on your harley jacket. (ebay motors: buell patch) | ||
| Trojan |
I've broken a 'lifetime' belt in less than 600 miles of smooth track riding. I've also had one last many thousands of miles of irresponsible riding, so it is a bit of a lottery as to how long the belt will last. Contrary to the opinion stated by someones dealer above, most belts don't snap due to rocks/pedestrians/small children getting trapped in the belt, but break due to 'shock ' loadings when suspension movement is sudden and mostly in situations when you get extreme suspension 'unloading' such as when riding over speed humps or railway crossings etc. If you pull wheelies/stoppies/stunts as well then your belt will probably break sooner rather than later  | ||
| Sslowmo |
Mine broke at 35,000(s)mile's. I noticed cracking at about 25,000(s)mile's. | ||
| Sifo |
My experience is that belts tend to snap after certain techs have recently serviced the bike. I worked at a dealer for a short time, and one of the techs just seemed to have a lot of customers complaining about broken belts very soon after getting new tires. Just one of the reasons I don't like having my bike worked on at a dealer. Be happy if you have a good dealer in your area! | ||
| Brightbuell |
So, can we get belts for ever? Do we need to buy a backup? Is there a compainy that makes them for other bikes that also make them for buell? im hijacking this thread cause the case of the belt buckle has been solved. | ||
| F1fletch |
I too would like to know who makes the belts and where you can get them other than American Sport Bike or direct from Buell. Seem awful pricey at $150+ | ||
| Iamarchangel |
$CDN264.95 ($US254) up here. I'll be ordering stateside and be glad to pay $US175. (American Sport Bike shows them for $175, am I missing something?) |
