| Author | Message | ||
     Buellx1w |
I've fried 3 almost-new final drive belts in the past 500 miles. Its an 02 X1W with 40K miles. It always happens the same way- stopped a light, gently let out the clutch at low RPM, and POP - the belt breaks in one place. There is almost always a loud metal-sounding RAP when I first let out the clutch after stopping the X1. My sportster does the same thing. And sometimes in 1st or 2nd, it seems to pop out of gear for a second or so, so I always keep RPMs low until I get into 3rd. No other worn or busted teeth, just one clean break each time. What have I checked/done? 1. Of course, replaced belts and checked alignment and tension. 2. Checked the primary chain deflection, its near the low end of spec 3. Checked clutch - in spec at the lever 4. Replaced the front sprocket with a steel 30t 5. Had the entire transmission taken out and gone through, replaced shift forks ($2600 ouch!) Advice is appreciated! | ||
| Blackm2 |
Do a search under the Old School Forum for "scary loose belt". The manual is not correct in how tight the belt should be. | ||
| Buellx1w |
I will search, but I've tensioned the belt (with the H-D guage) the same way for the last 32,000 miles, and this problem just started. Previous belts lasted 8-14000 miles. Something is different now, and the belt-tension hasnt changed since I've owned it.. | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Where are you getting your belts from? Same place, same belt brand? | ||
| Dannybuell |
sloppy loose and fresh belt is way to go. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Check your rear pulley. The working surfaces are chrome plated for durability but the chrome eventually starts to flake off. The flakes are like little knives. | ||
| Buellistic |
DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT Class 101, just PM me for a copy ... | ||
| Buellx1w |
I did notice some of the chrome flaking off the rear pulley and I am planning to replace it before I try another belt.. I'm getting the belts from EBAY, etc- they are H-D branded belts (sportster) with supposedly low miles on them. I will try the SLOPPY 2" deflection next time. Can't be any worse I suppose! Buellistic if you have a 101 doc I'd love a copy - buellboy AT gmail THanks guys.. I wanna keep and RIDE this Buell - got all the kinks fixed but this. Incidentally I just had to replace the fuelpump. That was a HAPPY ending story unlike this belt issue. Bought a MUSTANG fuelpump locally for like $85, was a pretty EZ install too.. BB | ||
| Hootowl |
You are using USED belts? There's your problem. You have no idea how those belts were abused or stored prior you taking possession. Twisting them even a little bit can damage the aramid fibers. Try a new belt from American Sport Bike, or a dealer. Make sure you get the 2004+ XB belt too. It's a bit tougher than the older one. | ||
| Arizona_buell |
I could use schooling on belts. hovanecm@yahoo.com | ||
| Thejosh |
Buellistic is gonna hate this, but I run my belt looooooose. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Even your first belt died way too fast. 14,000 miles is about a fifth of what you should expect at a minimum. Are you running the belt loose enough to push down and touch the swingarm? You should be. | ||
| Buellx1w |
> Even your first belt died way too fast. 14,000 miles is about a fifth of what you should expect at a minimum... no, I have that guage i press on the belt and measure the deflection- I think its like 7/16-9/16 ? It is much titer than being able to hit the swingarm. Based on what I read here and in buelistic's DOC Ill make some significant adjustments next time with a NEW belt ! THanks Buellistic for the docs! | ||
| Buellx1w |
I see this (XB/X1) belt on American Sport Bike: 17057 - 04+ XB Drive Belt (2008 version) $182 Just wondering- I've found the 128 tooth belts as low as $137 elsewhere- is this belt worth the +$50 ? | ||
| Essmjay |
Yes. | ||
| Buellx1w |
I also have 2 Sportsters XL (94 and 04).. Should these ALSO have the looser belt adjustment? | ||
| Kyrocket |
I can't speak for the Sportsters but I also have a belt driven Vulcan 2000 and it is much tighter than the Buell. No way can I run the Vulcan as loose as the Buell. Seems the manual for it is right on the money but my X1 is run very, very loose. | ||
| Jramsey |
The sporty swingarm pivot shaft is inline with the the counter shaft sprocket and rear sprocket and the belt gets looser with rear wheel travel so use the FSM specs. The Buell swingarm pivot is above the sprockets and the belt gets tighter going thru wheel travel until it breaks over center. I set mine so the belt can easily be pushed with one finger to touch the bottom of the swingarm. | ||
| Buellx1w |
..oddly enough, on my 04 XL Sporty, there is a window with lines like a ruler. Unfortunately, unlike a dipstick, it doesn't state what the lines MEAN! Gotta love HD | ||
| Jayvee |
Buellistic has a nice picture showing the rear axle jacked up to align with the swing-arm pivot AND the front sprocket center, and shows this as the position in which to adjust the belt. But once you have it set right, seems like you could measure the possible deflection to some point on a part that wouldn't change relationship to where the belt is, and thereafter simply use that as the reference point. But yeah, 'scarey loose' is how it looks just sitting still. | ||
| Thylacine |
Yeah, why even make it sort of tight? What are you accomplishing? Stupid loose works!there is no enough adjustment to make it loose enough to cause problems. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
If your used belts are coming to you tightly rolled or loosely folded as a car's serpentine belt does this could also cause your breakage. From the sound of it you may be having a combination of improper belt treatment along with your tight belt adjustment, leading to the quick failure. Obviously running it too tight didn't kill your original right off, so look for additional clues to the failures. If they are being packed/shipped improperly you may want to seek compensation/refund from the seller who is sending them that way. If you are buying them from a dealership they ought to know better, but even so, it happens... | ||
| Buellx1w |
OK thanks everyone. I ordered a replacement rear sprocket. I already replaced the front sprocket with a 30T (which should also be gentler on the belt- less torque and a less severe radius). I'll order the pricey belt you recommend. What still concerns me is that loud RAP noise when I let out the clutch from a dead stop. It sounds like metal on metal. I seems like its related to the belt breaking because it always breaks when starting from a dead stop. It's hard to figure out where the noise comes from sitting on the bike- but I suspect its due to slop in the rear caliper - it rotates a few degrees between stop and go perhaps, and the noise is it hitting the other stop maybe? Anyhow I'll invest another $500 and hope this works! I'm already like $3000 in... | ||
| Buellistic |
The DRIVE BELT has to be adjusted as some of you'll refer to a very, very, very loose ... The reason for this is the ARCH OF THE WING ARM which SPORTSTERS, METRIC BIKES, and H-D BIG TWINS do not have !!! Now DIRT BIKES do as that is how they get ground clearance !!! |
