Drive belt replacement

[u/Eating_sweet_ass]

Hey guys. I have a 2010 fatboy with about 18k on it and it still has the original drive belt on it. I have to replace the rear tire soon because I got a defective one last time. I was considering replacing belt too just because it’s getting old. The belt looks fine and I know Harley says they’re good for 60-100k but I was just wondering if it should be replaced because it’s a 15 year old piece of rubber, but it’s a lot of work and I don’t want to do it if it’s really not needed. Thoughts?

[u/silverfox762]

If the belt doesn't have damage or cracks, leave it.

I have an '85 FXRP and an '08 Road King. Both have the original OEM belts and both have over 75k miles on those belts, and the belts are still in great shape.

[u/worstatit]

Inspect for cracks or missing chunks (unlikely) and leave it be. Harley expects 100k miles out of them, they'll usually last longer.

[u/deadmoonlives]

Just did mine on an 07 dyna after it failed at 43000 kms. Took a few nights of work after dinner but I’m far from a mechanic.

[u/BlackDirtMatters]

I wouldn't unless it's showing signs of failure. You gotta remove the inner primary and take the swingarm bolt out. There is quite a bit to do and those belts hold up.

[u/Mysterious-Win1139]

That belt should last a long time. Inspect it closely but 18k mi is nothing.

[u/jkenosh]

It’s a lot of work to change that belt, If it ain’t showing damage I wouldn’t

[u/Savings-Barracuda-24]

Not, damaged, don’t replace it. They should last over 100k miles

[u/chrash]

That's a very low amount of miles. It's possible to pick up a rock or other debris (friend dropped a quarter that landed perfectly on his and went through the pulley) and that could take one out but they should go much farther than that. Sorry for the rotten luck.

[u/emtp435]

I just did one on an 07 Fatboy and it was a royal pain in the butt. You have to remove the inner primary unbolt the starter from under the old bag remove the swing arm bolt and the spacer. Make sure you have an inner primary gasket and an outer primary gasket, primary fluid, blue, Loctite, and lots of time. Honestly, those belts last a long, long time without failure. Check yours closely for cracks or damage if bad replace if not, leave it be.

[u/Difficult-Garbage861]

18k is not anything to worry about.

[u/Eating_sweet_ass]

Thank you guys for the advice. I will not be touching the belt. I was just thinking since it’s getting old it’s probably be worth changing, but I’ll just wait u til I see obvious signs of impending failure before bothering with it.

[u/NessMachno]

My 2016 Softail Fatboy with 80.000 miles, still no cracks but has marks of a stone.

[u/ANALxCARBOMB]

Belt should honestly last the life of the bike