| Author | Message | ||
     Surveyor |
Guys, I'm in trouble here. I set about fitting my XB9r with a new and hugely expensive replacement drive belt tonight and discovered that it is completely different from the original and will not fit my existing pulleys. The part number of the replacement belt is G0500-1AEE. I have pretty limited options here in Ireland so I'd welcome any advice. Am I facing the replacement of my pulleys to match this new belt or have I been supplied with the wrong replacement belt? Given the cost of the replacement belt, if the pulleys have to be changed as well I'm facing a huge bill. I know that there was some replacement deal on the original belt but was it under warranty or can I still order a belt to fit the original pulleys? All help much appreciated. | ||
| Hogs |
Surveyor, If yours is a Nine and years 2003,2004 sounds like you got the newer thicker belt which was used on the city X and the xb12 models... So I think all ya can do is try to find a set of pulleys off ebay that fit the newer cityX or the xb12 model years but if you change the pulleys keep in mind I think you have to change the front pulley cover as well..., not sure how much luck you will have there, or take that belt back and get the belt for the xb9 years whatever year yours is... by looking at your profile I wd. say you have a 03 or 04 model year... Good Luck, Wish I could have brought some better news to ya, oh yeah don`t think you will have any luck with the warranty claim... | ||
| Jwhite601 |
Time for a chain conversion.  | ||
| Johnk3 |
i have a 2003 xb9 belt and 2 rear pulleys and 1 front. belt is in good shape, yours if you want it. email me: xbueller@gmail.com | ||
| Surveyor |
Hogs, I think you're right the belt is much thicker. Jeff, I don't really fancy changing to chain drive, I have four other chain driven bikes and that's enough filth to deal with. JohnK3, thanks for your kind offer which typifies this site. I'm going to try to get the belt swapped but if things don't work out I'll get back to you, I owe you several pints of Guinness next time you're in town. Thanks guys. | ||
| Dbird29 |
Maybe the "Chain Gang" can send their old belt parts to Ireland. Like food aid for famine victims. | ||
| Surveyor |
No need to to organise BuellAid after all, I got sorted with a new old belt so panic over....until I break that one. Thanks for the offers of help anyway. | ||
| Fullpower |
my entire fleet is chain driven, we have Buell,Ducati, KTM, Harley, Honda and Suzuki. all are chain drive, and non of them are "wallowing in filth" | ||
| Surveyor |
Hey Fullpower, I never said my chain driven bikes were "wallowing" in filth. on the contrary my chains are spotless......that doesn't mean I enjoy keeping them that way however. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Modern chains and lubes are worlds different from what I think many people picture when talking about drive chains. The days of the scott oiler are gone and with them went the spray of oil all over everything in the same plane as your chain. Modern 0/x/w ring chains do a wonderful job of retaining lube where it is needed, and modern chain lubes (when applied properly) are done in a very sparing manner and the lube is rather sticky unlike the motor oil we used to have to use. The few minutes it occasionally takes for me to brush off my chain and re-apply lube are well worth the peace of mind I have on the road since my Buell is an 03. I would have made the swap to chain even if Hal's didn't beat me to it ;) I think that the myth of the nasty chain is much like the myth of the unreliable Buell.... They are out there, but many times they are the owners own fault! My "pre-flight" checks take about as long as my chain maintenance does...on the semi-rare occasions I need to do the chain detail. I spend far more time cleaning bugs, and road tar off my bike than I do on either one of those tasks. | ||
| Tunes |
I just recently purchased an '03 XB9S. When looking at the belt on my '04 compared to the '03 belt, you can easily see the difference. The '04 belt is much more robust. I copied the following from the American Sportbike website. It explains the problem: 17082 - XB Series 03-to-04 Belt Conversion Kit 03 XB series use an 11mm tooth pitch Gates belt that has proven to be fragile, requiring extensive guards and complicated rear wheel removal procedures. The ’04+ belt drive system uses a 14mm tooth pitch Goodyear belt that is much stronger, and this kit now includes the ’06 belt which is even stronger yet. All components (belts, pulleys, ALL guards) must be swapped. This kit includes the belt, idler pulley w/bracket, front pulley, and a rear diamond highlight pulley that is a cosmetic upgrade over the plain black pulley. Includes chrome mounting bolts. This kit does NOT include the new taller ’04+ rear brake master cylinder. ’04 and later Buells use a rear brake master cylinder that is 1/2" taller for additional belt clearance. We have not noted an interference problem on our ’03 Buell with this kit, but heavier riders may want to install an ’04 rear master cylinder for greater clearance. Your choices are either; purchase an original replacement belt (11mm) or pay the $ for the upgrade (14mm). I opted to purchase the above upgrade and a front belt guard from Al at American Sportbike. | ||
| Surveyor |
Tunes, thanks for that information it clarifies the situation perfectly and is pretty much what I suspected. Just two questions; Is the conversion kit belt guard the open type as opposed to the fully enclosed one on my 03 XB9r? What did the conversion kit cost you? | ||
| Tunes |
Surveyor - The guards needed are the open type as opposed to the closed type on the '03 model year. What that means to you and me is, no more trying to put that closed guard back on again!!! The conversion kit from American Sportbike that I posted above is (US $) $461.00 + you need to purchase, as a minimum, the front pulley guard (the following was copied from the American Sportbike website): 17140 - 04-05 Front Pulley Cover, OEM Plastic 04-05 Front Pulley Cover, OEM Plastic. When replacing the 03 belt drive system with an 04 upgrade, none of the 03 guards can be re-used. While not as stylish as the billet or CF guard, this will keep your feet out of the pulley. Price: $37.95 The only reason I know about this is I just bought this from Al yesterday morning and we talked on the phone to determine what I needed to get back on the road. I plan on buying the rest of the guards and fitting them. I've heard different stories about them fitting, so I'll find out when that happens. |
