The maintenance schedule for all Harley motorcycle models calls for a drive belt inspection and tension check after the first 1,000 miles and
every 5,000 miles thereafter
, the same interval as an oil-and-filter change.
When should I replace my motorcycle belt?
Regular Inspection
The belt is usually checked with regular service intervals at your motorcycle service center. Some brands recommend changing the drive belt
every 2 years, or every 10,000 kilometers or so, some every 20,000 kilometers, while others can be as long as 100,000 kilometers
.
What causes Harley drive belt to break?
According to Acorn Industrial Services, the most common cause of Gilmer belt failure is a
misalignment of the drive and driven pulleys
—Acorn says: “Excessive or uneven tooth wear, belt tracking, and tensile failure can all be attributed to misalignment.”
How long does a Harley Davidson last?
Harley-Davidson motorcycles can last for well over 75,000 miles if well-maintained and ridden responsibly and there are many Harleys on the road with over 100,000 miles on them. Based on an annual mileage of 4,000 miles, one can infer that a Harley Davidson can last for
more than 25 years
.
How many years does a Harley belt last?
How long do belt drives last on a motorcycle?
Modern drive belts are strengthened with steel wires inside and Kevlar coating outside – such belt systems can last really long. You can expect a well maintained belt drive on a motorcycle to last
in excess of 100,000 km or even more
.
How do you maintain a motorcycle drive belt?
How do you test a Harley-Davidson drive belt?
How tight should the drive belt be on a Harley-Davidson?
How tight should the belt be on a Harley?
With a high horsepower engine, it is better to have the belt
a little tight rather than loose
. A loose belt will break much more readily than a tight one. Most people do not tighten the belt to its proper tension. If you plan on “racing” or hot rodding your bike, invest in a Harley-Davidson BELT TENSION GAUGE (Part No.
What is considered high mileage for a Harley?
For small sports bikes, 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side. For larger bikes,
50,000 miles and up
is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles!
Is 35 000 miles a lot for a Harley?
Generally,
high mileage on a motorcycle is anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles
. For sport bikes, the high mileage number will be on the low end (usually around 25,000), while cruisers and touring bikes typically become high mileage in the 40,000- to the 50,000-mile range.
How many miles is a Harley 103 good for?
The Harley Davidson engine can last for
150,000 miles
if it is properly maintained. Although Harley Davidson engines aren’t guaranteed to work, they are among the more reliable parts of the bike. It’s the smaller parts that owners complain about that are the most frustrating.
What are Harley drive belts made of?
The
polyurethane body, Kevlar® reinforcement and special tooth profile
combine to give exacting power transmission, in a small package that is relatively maintenance-free. The Denver belt designer and the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer are still partners today.
Is a Sportster 883 a girl bike?
Among the Harley community,
the Sportster is generally and derogatorily called a “girl’s bike”
because it’s the smallest of the three Harley engine families: Sportster; “Big Twin” and V-Rod. And indeed, a lot of the women who buy Harleys do ride Sportsters.
How do you change a belt on a Harley Softail?
- Raise the Softail off the ground using the motorcycle stand. Remove the rear axle nut using the pliers. …
- Push the Softail’s rear wheel forward and remove the drive belt from the sprocket. …
- Place the new belt onto the transmission.
Is timing belt or chain better?
Most automakers recommend replacing the timing belt every 60,000 to 105,000 miles.
Timing chains are heavier and more complex than timing belts
, but they also last much longer. Really, unless there’s a problem, timing chains don’t have a replacement interval.
Is chain or belt drive better?
Chain vs Belt: Strength
As previously mentioned, these two styles function the same. One difference is that
chain drives are simply stronger
: they can lift more than a belt drive. This makes them the choice for moving heavier doors, so consider them if you’re going with a steel carriage.
What is more efficient chain or belt drive?
A worn chain drive is about 4% less efficient than a worn belt drive
. Testing shows that Gates Carbon Drive belts are the clear winner when you measure the efficiency of a worn belt to a worn chain. Gates belts keep their efficiency over time, while chains continually lose efficiency. This is because chains stretch.
How do you use a Harley Davidson tension gauge belt?
How do I clean my drive belt?
Some owners suggest
hosing it off (just keep your sprayer away from your bike motor), others like to wipe it down with a sponge, and some suggest going at it with an old toothbrush
(especially if there’s gunk in the belt’s teeth). Just get any obvious debris and buildup off the chain and you should be good to go.
