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Drive belt mileage

8K views 29 replies 19 participants last post by  RoadGlideRider 
#1 ·
Ok, just for grins, wondering what the typical life span is on the drive belt. A lot of you put on many more miles than I do so I was wondering how many miles you get out of one.
 
#5 ·
I have mine on the lift now doing the 20,000 mile service and just adjusted it. Almost at the end of adjustment cams on the axle. Doesn't look like there will be enough room left to make another adjustment next time it needs it. Contemplating a chain conversion next time around.
 
#8 ·
That's normal, the belt won't stretch any more because it doesn't act like a chain does so going with a chain conversion is only a waste of time and money.
I swapped out the belt on my 2008 this spring and it had over 100,000 miles and when I compared it with a new belt there was no significant difference, besides being a little lighter in color the old belt was not longer, cracked or showed any signs of wear or damage. I probably could have got another 100,000 miles on the old belt because I am not a aggressive rider and I don't show off by doing stupid things like hole shots (tire cost to much for that) JMO :wink:
 
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#6 ·
80-100,000 easy. Never had to replace one and put those miles on them. A lot longer than any chain.
 
#12 ·
80-100,000 easy. Never had to replace one.
MOCO designed the belt, and is having it manufactured to exceed all of our expectations! Yes, MOCO can do robust designs and manufacturing. Unfortunately MOCO has been unable to design and manufacture their lifters, lifter holes, and associated hardware to duplicate their belt's quality and reliability.
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#11 ·
All my belts I have only made an initial adjustment at between 5000 and 10000 , after that , no more stretching .. Road debris and aggressive hole shots are your only real enemies .. Sometimes belts will have some of the nubs chip out or crack , but odds are you will find some wear in one or both of the pulleys where the finish has worn off ..
 
#13 ·
Well I hope you all are right about not stretching any farther. Planning on riding to Daytona in March. As I don't really do any hole shots I do however enjoy the occasional rolling burn out. :surprise:
 
#21 ·
Besides rocks and debris, misadjusted belts are also a big reson the belt will not last. I often see people that do their own services with the belt tension way too loose. That will kill the longevity of a belt. I always put my belt adjustment at the very tight end of spec. Just remember that a loose chain is a happy chain and a tight belt is a happy belt.
 
#23 ·
I had just under 100K on my 2012 when I started noticing a couple of missing teeth on my belt. Figured while I had it apart, I would do all the service and put in new swingarm bushings. Made a big difference in the ride.
 
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#24 ·
This is very interesting. I am nearing the end of a frame-up total refurbishment of my 1980 FXWG and I actually used the chain-breaking tool for the first time in 15 years this week (decided to switch to press-fit master link side plate and clip, instead of the peened link I have been running all that time....just in case shit happens on the road one time...it never has but it probably will now!)

ANYWAYS....... what's the best belt tensioning tool to buy for my 2019 FLTRX? Who sells 'em? Is there a cheap-ass DIY version? This is my first-ever bike with a final belt drive.

I'm encouraged by what I am reading here, but my chains have always lasted a long time on old FXs too.
 
#28 ·
The belts are pretty durable and will last quite awhile. Most of the time the issue with them failing is because of stones getting in between the belt and pulley, unless of course you have a high powered motor and beating it al the time. I just replaced my stock belt with a little over 60k miles on it because I had the bike apart doing a 124. It was apart already so for piece of mind I did it but the stock one still looked pretty good
 
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#30 ·
I have 145,000 on my 2009 With original belt and still going. I did replace the belt on my 1985 FLHTC at only 85,000. But I did cam it with a new ECM. It stripped the teeth while popping wheelies on the freeway at 80+. (It was at night with no traffic. SoCal was so different in the 80’s.)
 
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