I am going to be replacing my final drive belt. Do I need to remove the rear wheel, or can I just unbolt the shocks and move the wheel into some position that will give me enough slack to get the belt off? I really don't want to fool with aligning the wheel and all of that crap if I can avoid it.

***Edit - The bike is a 2006 FXD ***

 

Yes, you will have to remove the rear wheel.

 

If you're concerned about doing the rear wheel alignment pick up a Motion Pro #08-0368 alignment tool. It makes the job quick and accurate. Sure, you could make an alignment tool out of some bent wire but who doesn't like nice tools?

If you don't have a belt tension gauge get a Motion Pro #08-0350 gauge so you can properly set belt tension.

You can find both of those on eBay inexpensively...

 

The rear wheel is the simplest part of it.

 

lame. Ok, alignment tool ordered. If I just loosen the rear axle, can I move the rear wheel forward to get enough slack, or does it have to come out of the bike? Am I missing something, like maybe the belt needs to get under something that's in the way if the wheel is mounted?

 

What kind of bike do you have?

 

You should probably get a manual while your ordering parts.

 

Yeah. You're gonna want to read the manual before you start buying parts. The inner primary needs to come off (+ compensator, clutch assembly, primary chain, tensioner, etc.). That means a complete primary gasket kit and some special tools.

Read the manual and make sure you're up to the task. This is a $300 job for a first time DIYer.

 

Regardless of whether you remove the wheel, you have to at least remove the axle and swingarm shaft or bolts (depending on what bike you have,) in order to walk the belt around both the wheel and swingarm on the left hand size.)

 

Sorry, 2006 Dyna - I'll edit my initial post to include that. I have the primary off for a few other things I'm doing, and I do have the manual, but I'm not always totally clear on some of the instructions in the manual, so I come here to benefit from people who have already done this.