hogcowboy

Back in 85 I bought a new Electra Glide. Put 63,000+ miles on it in three years but had to put two new belts on it and it needed a third. So I traded for a BMW with shaft drive. Problem solved with wearing out belts. But the BMW was definitely no Harley and I miss that. I've had several folks tell me there must have been a problem with the 85 to go through belts like that but I rode it rain or shine and the dealer insisted that it was the road grit in rain and snow that made it eat belts so fast. So I'm wanting to get another Harley but now I live down 3 1/2 miles of gravel road. So should I give up on Harley's and their belt drive and stick with drive shafts only? What do ya'll think? In another way of putting it, did I just have a clunker the first time or are the belts really a weak point and stick with shafts. I had hoped by now Harley would have a shaft drive model again. The gravel road has me wondering. I had a Honda VTX last with it's shaft drive for that very reason but totaled it so I'm now looking for another ride. By the way I put 66,000+ trouble free miles on the BMW and put 68,000+ on a Honda 400 Hawk prior to that but got tried of adjusting and changing chains too. What do you think?

__________________
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- Unknown author
PGR #298137

screwdriver

Belts are actually very durable. Sounds like you may have had a misalignment problem. That being said, gravel is a condition that can be catastrophic on them! I have seen gravel put holes in belts and also destroy the aluminum belt pulleys! If you want a HD, you might consider converting to chain.

HrdNox

With 3.5 miles of gravel I would go chain.Thats a pretty good stretch of road.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...5YCb2NRW7_qaaw

__________________

Cranebird

I live and ride on gravel roads and have no issues whatsoever.I don't tear the belt guards off,I leave them on the bike. It is difficult to say what was wrong with the belt on your previous Harley, the tension or alignment could have been wrong.A belt should last 80,000 miles.

FL

Im sure todays belts are a lot better than they were in '85. With that being said, rocks are the belts worst enemy. But if you have all your guards in tact you have a pretty good chance beating the gravel

__________________

Cranebird

Ah the bagger section. You realize sk8 will be along to draw swords !!!


The old guards had a rubber piece in the guard that would rub on the belt if you didn't have it positioned in the guard properly.You wouldn't think a rubber piece would wear a belt but it did.

WeaponHog

I live on a long gravel road as well....But I haven't had any belt issues yet..I do drive slower on the gravel road to keep the gravel from bouncing up on my Bike..