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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I don't mind sharing my ignorance if others will learn from it. Either I'm getting old and forgetful or I'm getting lazy, so what I'm about to tell you, look past the root cause of the problem, my ignorance. Yesterday, I was on my way home from work and I felt a strange vibration, like it was coming from the transmission. It worried me that the Vision was breaking down and we only have one other vehicle at this time. My mind raced to figure out what it was as I rolled down the highway and should I pull over immediately or get off the highway and stop in a secluded area. I chose the latter.
I examined the front end first and found it was solid, so then I went the rear and then that is when I saw a lug on the belt broken and many others cracked. I said "Well now I know why they say change the belt at 30,000, this one had 56,000 on it." But then that is when I remembered my recent stupidity. When I had the tire replaced I take off my own wheel and take it to a dealer and have them mount it. I reinstall the wheel myself also, and I always check and recheck to ensure all is well. Well, not this time. About two weeks after replacing the tire, I was riding along and I felt like shifting without the clutch. When I did, I felt the rear wheel shift and return to tracking. After I did it a few more times I realized the unthinkable happened; the axle wasn't torque. I get the bike home and sure enough, the axle was tight enough to keep the right side keeper in the slot, but not tightened down. I then made sure it was aligned and tightened down. Everything seemed fine, until yesterday.
During the period of time I never changed my driving habits, not knowing what was going on. Hard take offs, and tight turns, I'm sure the belt was getting some stress. But it was that shifting without the clutch that gave it away and because of the angle of misalignment I believe that is when the lugs began to break.
I have got my original belt which I'll put on until I get a new one. I even rode the bike today and can feel the one missing lug, but I'm babying it until I get some time to change it out this weekend. I'm kicking myself because I wanted this belt to go to the 100,000 mile mark. The first one went 45,000 and when I changed it, it still looked new. But dumb things like this will kill the life of a belt.
The moral of the story, recheck one more time. If it happens again though, I'll start taking it to the dealer for my own sake. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | I respect and appreciate your post ! |
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | Saring is caring, thanx. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | Thanks for the words of wisdom!
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| Do you think that the belt would have lasted much long if it hadn't been loose? I had a belt to last 84k once on my old harley. THANK i will make sure to dbl check. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Thanks for the post. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | TRELL - 2011-09-21 3:47 PM
Do you think that the belt would have lasted much long if it hadn't been loose? I had a belt to last 84k once on my old harley. THANK i will make sure to dbl check.
absolutely. don't tell anyone but I'm still riding on the belt, but I'll replace it the weekend. I'm babying it, and I don't even notice it. The wheel really came off track, distinctly, when the axle was loose, that was too much angle on the lugs to withstand that pressure. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | This is my first motorcycle with a belt drive. I am still a little leery of it, and check it quite regularly. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | willtill - 2011-09-21 4:26 PM
This is my first motorcycle with a belt drive. I am still a little leery of it, and check it quite regularly.My first too Will, except I don't really check it. Bike is still new enough so I just ride for now without worrying about it but it's definitely different from the many shaft drive bikes I've owned. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I have had chain and shaft drive. Personnally, I enjoy the belt drive much better. Modern belts have a definite advantage over the older belt make up.
If you adjust your belt properly and check it regulary for knicks and cuts, you should be okay for about 60,000 or more. Keep in mind though, this is my assessment, belts are time sensitive and not so much miles sensitive. I see it this way, a belt that is 6 to 10 years old will be ready to break regardless of the miles. When someone says, my belt broke with only 20,000 miles on it, my first question is, how old was it? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I posted in the buy and sell, but I'm looking for a rear sprocket for my '08 Vision. Mine is shot, but I'm hopeing to find one under $300 if possible. Even if it has 5,000 miles on it or less, that would be okay. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Don Wood Victory has them for 324.00 new
http://www.donwoodvictory.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Victory&partnumb...
Edited by willtill 2011-09-24 5:03 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Gf willtill - 2011-09-24 5:02 AM
Don Wood Victory has them for 324.00 new
http://www.donwoodvictory.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Victory&partnumb...
That seems high? Well honestly I don't know for victory belts, but my other belt drive bikes I bought a after market belt for $150. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | willtill - 2011-09-24 6:02 AM
Don Wood Victory has them for 324.00 new
http://www.donwoodvictory.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Victory&partnumber=1332399-521
Thanks. I'm hoping to find one where they have swapped out the rear wheel or sprocket with a chrome one or something. I'm trying to stay on the cheap. I'll get new if it comes down to it though. Someone...
Edited by varyder 2011-09-24 5:36 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Arkainzeye - 2011-09-24 6:10 AM
Gf willtill - 2011-09-24 5:02 AM
Don Wood Victory has them for 324.00 new
http://www.donwoodvictory.com/fiche_select.asp?mfg=Victory&partnumber=1332399-521
That seems high? Well honestly I don't know for victory belts, but my other belt drive bikes I bought a after market belt for $150.
It's for the rear belt drive pulley, not the belt itself....
Edited by willtill 2011-09-24 7:34 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Belt is just as costly at $275.00, not complaining though. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | varyder - 2011-09-24 8:46 AM
Belt is just as costly at $275.00, not complaining though.
Holy crap! No wonder why people are trying to use them longer..... |
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Belt blues
