| Author | Message | ||
     Easttroy |
2009 with original belt (well, did until today) broke after leaving a stop sign. Fortunately, I had enough momentum to get me off the main road and onto a side road. 6 days until my "factory" warranty was up. How's that for lucky? Glad it wasn't raining and glad it wasn't -20 below. As a side note, my bike had the revision E belt and the latest put on my bike was revision F. | ||
| Rr_eater |
Oh here we go..........................  | ||
| Ourdee |
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| Merc16 |
Ok, guess I'll ask. Do you know the condition of the rear wheel bearings at time of belt breakage? | ||
| Xaman |
Easttroy, sorry to hear about your Belt, glad it's under warranty. I recently purchased an 09 XB12x with 5k miles. I'm brand new around here, so this thread got my attention. But I'm wondering about the beating the dead horse bit... Could someone post a link or something, perhaps there's some valuable information for us newbs? | ||
| Lastcyclone |
Do you know the details of your last rear tire change or when the rear wheel was removed? The procedure should be followed according to the directives given by Buell. (service manual) All manner of belt problems can occur if they are not. The belts should last much, much longer. | ||
| Tankhead |
I'm no newb here but what are you talking about? Bearings causing belt breakage? Factory tightened axle to tight causing bearing to seize? Do tell! I have not been that impressed with my 09, and this would just add to the list of things to worry about. Please inform the rest of us that are not on here all the time. Shame, my 06 city-x was just a reliable beast, this one not so much. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Tankhead, My 06 ULY is a reliable bike also. 06 was a very good year for Buell. | ||
| Merc16 |
I second what lastcyclone said. MAYBE also the height of the X which puts the belt at steep angle. | ||
| Easttroy |
Well, unless the belt was too tight, I can't think of why I had a problem. Never had a rear bearing issue, never felt like the back end was loose, stock wheel (not a '10 rear wheel), so I'm at a loss. I will note that where it broke there were a couple other locations nearby on the belt that had what look like threads showing (not metal) on the inside of the belt. At least now I know what to look for without having to take the belt off. Things done to the bike recently: July - fuel pump Oct - Rear tire The dealer I took the bike to for the tire seems like they know what they are doing (and so do their techs) as well as my normal dealer where I get it serviced. I do some services myself, but anything involving more than 2-3 hours of my time and tools I don't have, gets it done at the dealer (front shocks for example). | ||
| Brucespoint |
The dead horse, for your reading pleasure & edification. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/647675.html?1313380426 enJoy! b. | ||
| Brucespoint |
scuse me, that was just the start.... Here is the Archive, 6 of em. 30 posts each... One thoroughly thrashed horse. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/646595.html Great reading though, Learn yer BWB board! search is your friend. b. (Message edited by brucespoint on November 19, 2011) | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I've had a belt let go on my 08 Firebolt on the street for no appparent reason. I've had a belt shred some teeth at the race track when I caught 1 an extra gear while downshifting (still finished the race)! Sometimes belts break. Inspect for obvious causes and ride! Side note; The only thing I do for rear tire removal is loosen pinch bolt, remove rear axle, push belt to side and remove rear wheel. Been doing it on all my Buells (including the Uly with the belt guards) for years w/o issue. Your results may vary. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
My belt is 50k kilometers and yes i see some cracks on the outer part of the belt, but no signs of it getting worse, i heard pulling wheelies and such stuff makes the belt break much sooner | ||
| Uly_man |
My belt broke? And then my pants fell down. And thats what it is with Buell belts if you think its going to last you a "lifetime"? What is it with you USA guys? Even a diamond will wear out if you push it enough. OOOH im not getting 50k out of me wheel bearings, its not as fast as a B2 bomber or its a bit on the tall side. You choose then. Buy something else. | ||
| Motorbike |
My belt broke? And then my pants fell down. Please, no pics! I don't see where anyone said they expected the belt to last a "lifetime". Maybe I'll go back and re-read this. Don't you think it should at least last more than a couple years or at least 20,000 miles? I do, unless it breaks due to rock damage etc. Do Harleys have this much trouble with belts breaking? | ||
| Tankhead |
Tx bruce, As a member since 2006 I have used the search feature many times. Just never would have typed in spring loaded tensioner for a search on wheel bearings and belt breakage. Thanks again. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Motorbike, Over 43,000 miles on the original belt on my Electraglide and I think I run it loose compared to the ULY and my wife's Sportster. The Electraglide belt will probably rot off from age eventually. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
My bearing went soon after my belt broke and was replaced. I would strongly recommend and good bearing check and replace if necessary. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I put 98,000 miles on an Electra Glide belt and it looked great. Many get over 100,000 miles on Harley belts. The tension is 'much' less though. | ||
| Uly_man |
If the belt broke clean, with fibers showing its stress. I had two the same at 7k miles on each one. They also went the same way as Easttroys. Just pulling away from some stationary point. Mine were just a slow pull away from lights and parked up. I think the more you flex the rear end the more stress it gets and the more likely it is to break. Which is why I think you "long run" riders get more out of them. Flat runs, less road humps and gear changes will stress it less. The real pain in the ass, and I check my belts very closely, is that you can get no idea of when its going to go. I have had FSTs on both my Ulys and not sure they help any. The only solution I have found is to keep a spare and take it with you on long trips. Your going to need one sooner or latter so buy one if you can. Its my number one tip for less Uly pain. For what its worth. My 06 bike came with a AKD belt, which broke at 7k and was warranty changed for a AKE belt. This went at 14k and I fitted a AKF belt. The bike was stolen 1k latter so I do not know how good it might have been. The AKF belt is said to be better and does seem to be much more ridged than the AKE version. It also costs more as well. Buell once stated "lifetime" on the belts and they still change them and bearings as well under warranty here in the UK. I have had all sorts of issues with my Ulys and not much worried about belts and bearings. One the other hand the engine running problems very much are. These can be VERY, VERY hard to resolve. I know I have had it on both bikes. A Buell is not for those who might trust some dealers to fix its problems. Its a sad fact that some of them just do not have clue what they are doing with the bike. Mind you it can happen with many things these days? | ||
| Zac4mac |
My 09 snapped a belt when I was getting back on tarmac after chasing prairie dogs for a few minutes. I think I had around 20k miles at the time. Pushed her a block back to the shop and slapped an AKF on it. Old one was AKE or AKF not sure. 25k now... Z | ||
| Danair |
My 06 belt broke at 17k......very soon after catastrophic wheel bearing failure that really let it get way out of alignment | ||
| Skinstains |
Belts are for fat old mens' trousers... | ||
| Andymnelson |
I still don't get how there can be folks that don't understand the concept of a lifetime belt.... It means that there is no service interval- ie, you don't have to change it every xx,xxx miles. It does NOT mean that it has a lifetime warranty, or that it is invincible. Duh. |
