| Author | Message | ||
     Arch379 |
can someone walk me thru removing the rear wheel on my 03 xb9 . what should i be doing with the belt? the factory manual does not address it. | ||
| Lovematt |
I think the S is the same as an R in this case...you should get the service manual. I use a rear stand to lift up back wheel off the ground. Then you need to loosen pinch bolt (big allen) that locks the rear axle from spinning out. Then loosen the axle about 12-15 turns...axle is tapered and this will start to loosen the tension. Sometimes axle will seize on bearings and will spread swingarm...do NOT force swingarm...one time I had to use a tie down around a couple of wheel spokes and the brake side of the swing arm to break it loose...I use antiseize liberally and that has fixed this problem. Some say this is not required but I remove Idler assembly from bike as well as rear brake caliper(allen bolts) to make room. Loosen all bolts you can find that keep the belt guard "closed"...you don't need to remove the guards...just get them flopping loose so they move. Once everything is loose, continue to unthread axle all the way and allow wheel to move towards front a bit...you do not want to force, bend, or do anything to that belt that you would not do to a fragile piece of paper...seriously...this is an issue on the '03 belts only so far as I know. Once you get the wheel away from the belt (I move the wheel towards brake side of swingarm) let belt stay straight and hang loose and pull out the wheel. If you ever replace the belt make sure to ask for the updated belt...still not perfect but supposedly much improved. I upgraded to the '06 belt and installed the kit from American Sport Bike which was well worth the money in my book. Good luck | ||
| Reepicheep |
As far as the belt goes, just don't kink it. Don't bend it backwards at all, and don't bend it forward any tighter then the sprockets. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
If I might make a suggestion, it would be to replace the belt at this time with the upgraded belt. Removing the wheel involves just about 80% of the work involved in replacing the belt. Daves at one of our sponsors, Appleton HD, has the new belts in stock. They are about $140. The part number is:G0500.02A8R . These belts have proven to be alot better than the original belts which can easily break and rarely last more than 2000 miles. While you are ordering the belt, you might want to get the service manual as well. The Buell is easy to work on, but because of it's original design, assembly/disassembly might be a bit different than what you are used to. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Whoa! Remember he has an '03 so he'll need new sprockets and guards for that '06 belt. Does the entire tensioner assembly have to be replaced when you put on a new belt? | ||
| Lovematt |
I have a standing question in the KV about whether or not you need the guards for the '06 belt. I just did the upgrade on an '03 using the kit from American Sport Bike and kind of like how it looks. But...I am wondering if it is truely okay to run without any guards (I have the '04 Front Pulley Guard installed). My thinking is the bottom one may be needed ('04/'05 I think) but don't know for sure. I stay away from pebbles and ride when it is dry for the most part...so far the new pulleys aren't showing any marks in almost 1000 miles. | ||
| Bruceclay |
I always took the guards off my sportsters and I took them off both my xb's. 75000 miles on sportsters and 30000 on xb's, mostly in town, with no belt problem ever. | ||
| Bruceclay |
Oh yeah and I can have my rear wheel in hand in 4 minutes. Hmmm let's see 30000 miles.... I guess i've done it 10 times anyway. | ||
| Flick |
Hey Lovematt, good luck with "staying away from pebbles"...I was on a road trip through Montana earlier this summer on my '03 9S, when I hit a stretch of construction. It had been raining all day, and this one mile of construction was a muddy bog! Thought to myself as I proceeded VERY SLOWLY, sure am glad I decided to leave those belt guards on. My son, who was following behind me, said he never laughed so hard...you see, I had also done the tea strainer amputation (conversion), and he said even at 5mph, the spray of mud back on to my rain suit was hilarious! Leave those belt guards on, you never know what lies ahead on those roads... Besides, the new '06's look like they have an even more substantial belt guard than the '03's...must be a reason... | ||
| Lovematt |
That is what I am thinking...Buell must have put them on for a reason given the light airy look of the rest of the bike I doubt they would put something to fill it in just for asthetics. I think I will get the lower one as it seems that is where more problems would occur...I am thinking about them sticking to the tire and possibly coming down from above though...hmm. The '03 guards won't fit with the new belt/pulley...looks like an order from American Sport Bike is in order in a month or so. Hey that is not a bad thing. (Message edited by lovematt on October 11, 2005) | ||
| Buellin_ri |
"new '06's look like they have an even more substantial belt guard than the '03's" Looks to me that the 06's have a heavier belt with less of a guard than 03. Having trouble posting a pic here but just search images of the 03's and then check out the 06's you'll see what I talking about. well at least the top guard has less.  (Message edited by buellin_Ri on October 11, 2005) |
