| Author | Message | ||
     Percyco |
So...in another thread I have learned that 03 drive belts are made by Gates. It was also said that they possibly hold the patent for the tooth pattern. The "handling" of the belts seems to be the latest excuse for breakage. My question is....why is it so hard for Gates or some other company to make a decent direct replacement belt for the 03 XB ? On my Ford truck I have a Gates serpentine belt on the V-8 engine that runs on pulleys going booth directions and under pretty high tension. It is as thin as a XB belt, its running on a 300HP engine, and its bent forward and backwards on all the pulleys. Oh yeah and it's been there for 60,000 miles. So what gives ? You can't tell me that a better belt can't be made to fit the OEM pulleys. I'll be darned if I will shell out $500 for a 04 conversion...Hey Erik lets get some good belts for the 03's already...... besides Mr. Honda already has a large amount of my garage space used up ! PS- I do realize supply and demand probably are an issue, approx. 8000 03's were built so who really cares other than the 8000 owners.  | ||
| Midknyte |
PS- I do realize supply and demand probably are an issue, approx. 8000 03's were built so who really cares other than the 8000 owners. er, uh, me dammit <-- owns an '03 | ||
| Spatten1 |
"It is as thin as a XB belt, its running on a 300HP engine" The only horsepower running through that truck's belt is what it takes to run the water pump, ac, power steering, alternator, etc. Just a few hp. The bulk of the horsepower is transmitted out the other end of the engine. I do agree that the belt should be more bullet proof, probably should have gone with a chain. | ||
| Percyco |
"er, uh, me dammit <-- owns an '03" me too !  The only horsepower running through that truck's belt is what it takes to run the water pump, ac, power steering, alternator, etc. Just a few hp. The bulk of the horsepower is transmitted out the other end of the engine According to my non-HD riding pals those push rod engines are about the same as an old washing machine engine. So wouldn't a washing machine be about the same as a water pump ?...  (Message edited by percyco on June 07, 2006) | ||
| Skyguy |
8000 Buell riders could make a fuss about the belt if they cared to. Me? I sent off a letter to the DOT asking them to investigate and hopefully recall the 03 Gates belts. These things are a safety issue. | ||
| Xb9ser |
i agree totally with you skyguy | ||
| Saintly |
Way to go Skyguy! I'm glad that you took the initiative, hopefully something good will come of it. Perhaps ALL Buell owners can someday be Buell enthusiasts. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
 I want a new belt. | ||
| Aldaytona |
How many of these 8,000 owners (your figures) didn't have any issues with their drive belts? Small percentage I'll bet, and of those individuals with problems, how many changed their own tires and mishandled the belts, how many didn't change them at 15,000 miles, how many damaged by debris from running no guards? I've seen belts broken, cause unknown, but I've seen more broken by the bikes owners (pick one or more of the above causes, or just plain abuse). Don't believe this? Read the posts on this site every day and look at what people admit to, or questions asked.  Starting to hear the theme music from "Vonage" yet?....................................................................... | ||
| Kdan |
I got an upgraded 03 belt. It's an 04 version of the 03 belt. I haven't had any problems. I changed my original per the recommended mileage in the owners manual. Stone Mountain Harley Davidson made sure I knew the new belt was the upgraded version. | ||
| Tpoppa |
I replaced my stock belt on my 03 at 13,500 miles. It looked fine. I was replacing the tire so I figured I would change the belt as long as the wheel was off. I prefer the belt to a chain. A 'lash free' driveline has it's advantages. | ||
| Dooley |
My belt snapped at around 4,000 mi, after much dismay, I replaced it with the "upgraded" version, got 18,000 out of it. The belt didn't really show any signs of problems, but I was so nervous after they came out with the new 04 style, that my 03 belt was going to snap anytime, so I converted to the new pulleys and 06 belt...I wouldn't mind getting reimbursed for that...Do you think, if they did a recall that I would???  | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Still running my original belt at 6000 miles with no problems thus far. I feel kinda special though after learning that there were only 8000 bikes made in 2003. Does this include both the Lightning and Firebolt together or 8000 of each model? How many 2004 units were produced. Maybe some collector value down the road if I can keep her upright and in good shape  . | ||
| Gearhead998 |
Wow...only 8000, i feel special now. I have 11k on the original belt. I do my own tire changes, but I do not wheelie or have any hard drag racing starts. Maybe the occasional sprited shift in to 2nd, but thats it. I do have to admit that I worry about the belt going all of the time. I had the stock guards in place until recently, now I just have the lower '04 guard. I too would like to have a belt that I can depend on. And like most people, I too am on a budget, and do not want to pay $150 everytime the belt breaks, that is if it breaks as often as some other members belts. Skyguy, If you signatures for a patition(spell?) let me know. | ||
| Cheesebeast |
I have spent some more time inspecting my Idler pulley and I am feeling it may be a contributing factor to the belt problem. According to the service manual you are directed to replace the idler pulley when you replace the drive belt. Are the bearings going prematurely in the idler pulley? After the wheel bearing issues I wonder about the bearing quality on this machine. Yes, idle speculation. | ||
| Pwnzor |
wow... a dying breed we are Gearhead998.... My front wheel hasn't been more than 2 inches off the ground, ever. And burnouts? What's that? I know a guy with a stock 03 XB9R and he beats the hell out of it, never had a problem with his belt snapping. Maybe just lucky. As for collector value, I'm keeping mine forever in hopes it will be the next Red Barchetta. Cheesebeast, I wonder about that pulley myself. Since it is in a fixed position and the swingarm moves up and down, that bearing must be under some serious intermittent strain. One of the sponsors has a spring loaded dealy-bobber that uses the stock pulley, supposed to extend the life of it. I'm thinking about that for my next belt change. (Message edited by pwnzor on June 08, 2006) | ||
| Cheesebeast |
For argument sake, say the idler pulley is toast. I would have to replace that at the same time as the upgraded '03 belt, adding a healthy (?) 100 bucks to the process. That gets me up to $250+ (includes the cost of the belt). Seems to me I am well on my way towards the '04+ upgrade price! | ||
| Midknyte |
How many of these 8,000 owners (your figures) didn't have any issues with their drive belts? I gotta own up to being in this subset and I honestly don't expect it to be a problem either... | ||
| Coops53233 |
I made it to 7500mi before my stock 03 belt snapped... right in the middle of the TR Bridge, rush-hour traffic, on a Friday night, while on my way to dinner with the folks, who were visiting DC for the weekend! Having to walk your bike backwards down the interstate w/o a shoulder is pretty non-ideal. But I ordered the "upgraded" belt from Daves, installed myself, and just completed a 2300mi round trip over the Memorial Day weekend... No new belt problems yet! | ||
| Buellin_ri |
The thing with the 03 belt is its hit or miss. Some guys say they have had no problems others nothing but. I have 6k on the original, have had it apart 2 ( I handled the belt the prescribed way), Wheelies and other abuse as well. I would still have a warm and fuzzy if I had thew 06 belt in stead of the 03. It's always in the back of my head when I plan on leaving the state. | ||
| Diablobrian |
The guys at Hal's made sure I'll never have a belt issue with my bike. I can understand the worries though. I constantly worry about low speed left turns because of the potential disaster they can be for me. You just have to either take action to negate the problem, or accept the risk and move on. There are solutions. Don't let this thing keep you from enjoying your bike. It is a long time, well known issue. put some cash aside to make the change of your choice. It may take a bit of sacrifice, but the peace of mind will be worth it. |
