Author |
Message |
Scooter808484
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 02:59 pm: |
|
....apparently isn't. &*&76@@ ing thing left me stuck on the side of the road in the pouring rain for two hours on the way to work. ~10k miles, might be less than the others. I knew it was getting close to the target mileage, but this was the "good" belt. It costs me damn near as much for belts as tires, and yet I still have to buy tires. If someone would have offered me $500 and a ride for that POS Uly this morning they could have had it. |
Whisperstealth
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 04:47 pm: |
|
Man, sorry to hear about all your drive problems. A big seller to me was the advertised 100K belt. Really makes me wonder about things. My 09(with orange bearings), has about 20K and has had no issues. I'm a big heavy guy, and don't baby the bike. I don't do wheelie or dump the clutch much either. Bummer to see people get frustrated and call their Uly's POS's, but I understand how things can mount up. I hope you are able to get the bike up and running, and once the current issues are fixed, enjoy the bike as much as possible. OTOH, I could sell a bunch of stuff and come up with $500. |
Panhead_dan
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 08:23 pm: |
|
Can you describe the events leading up to the failure? Inquiring minds want to know. Please. |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 10:13 pm: |
|
I think that this belt buster.
(Message edited by electraglider_1997 on December 08, 2010) |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 10:17 pm: |
|
One thing I've noted in the past (not only on a Uly, but on my FLHP as well) - belts are rubber. Rubber gets BRITTLE in cold weather. I'm too dumb to park my bike when it's cold. Both belts I've broken have been in cold weather (20 and under, unheated garage, not long after startup). YMMV, but today was the first day this year that I was thinking on the bike (20 degrees with gusty cold-ass wind)...maybe it's *too* cold for the bike today. Me, I was fine. Had to turn DOWN my heated gear. But the bike, even with the oil scoop covered over, was coooold. And shaky (engine isolators get stiff in the cold too). And all-around crotchety. And after 50 backroad miles...still no cooling fan. Poor gal was *cold*. |
Scooter808484
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 11:00 pm: |
|
Belt break was just like the other one.... at about 10k miles the belt starts to feel loose. Loose enough that you can turn the tensioner wheel with your hand. I changed the last one before it broke when it started getting like that. Since I now had the "new, improved" belt I thought maybe it would be OK. Slight acceleration, heard it slip a few cogs... pop. Nothing. It was kind of frayed, but I think it did all that coming off. The broken part was like you cut it with scissors, just like last time. Weather about 45, but last one was 70. I ride in the rain, probably gets alot of grit, but geez it's supposed to be an adventure bike, right? |
Babired
| Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2010 - 08:33 am: |
|
good information to know my ULY rattles a lot in the cold too and has a really hard start in the mornings and after the work day ends but it runs good in colder temps I have a brand new battery and plug her up every night |
Scooter808484
| Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2010 - 10:22 am: |
|
More post mortem on the belt... After getting the idler pulley apart and seeing how much play was in that failed bearing, then looking at the belt more closely, I'm pretty sure the idler bearing took the belt out. There's a ridge about 1/8" running around one edge of the belt. Seems like idler bearing failed, then either wore a groove in the edge of the belt or guided it somewhere it wasn't supposed to go. So maybe the belt wasn't so bad after all, but now I need a spare idler wheel to carry around with the spare belt. Somehow doesn't make me feel better. |
Babired
| Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2010 - 11:35 am: |
|
ding dang you sound like me when I had my electrical breakdown going to Memphis one year, I have all of the connectors the regulator and another part I carried when I traveled the year after! I travel with all of the break off parts too after seeing a friend and fellow Buell rider crash up on the Blue Ridge PKWY |
Vecchio_lupo
| Posted on Thursday, December 09, 2010 - 02:41 pm: |
|
I've got the "Free Spirits" belt tensioner from Adrenalin Moto in the UK, it certainly looks more substantial than the stock unit, and the build quality seems A+. I might upgrade that piece along with a belt and go from there. Good Luck, I'm sporting an 08 Uly with 12k on the clock. OE bearings and belt, tensioner was changed by the Original Owner as a preventative measure. This sumer I'll do preemptive bearing and belt change. |
Discochris
| Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 10:25 am: |
|
Mine broke after riding 300 miles in sub 30 degree weather and snow last may. I more or less figured it was temperature related. |
Eulysses
| Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 02:13 pm: |
|
It is the rain that makes it suck Scooter! Sitting on the side of the road in sunny AZ is more better. I am trailering Mr. Uly down to AZ in January with the RV and hanging out (working of course online) for a couple months. |
Bttrthnwrk
| Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - 05:13 pm: |
|
Eulysses: what part of the state are you going to be? |
|