[>:]I have a 1999 Ultra Classic I bought used. It only has 21000 miles on it. I have doing all the normal mantaince to it. I am pulling the rear wheel to pack the wheel bearings and check drive belt. Belt looks like new except on the outside edge it is really beveled. Beveled probably in a 1/4 of an inch. Can't see any thing wrong with pullies, they look like new also. Belt is pretty loose. The guy that had it before me wasn't into mantaince. Looks like the wheel is lined up right and the belt runs to the outside as the manual says it should. I don't have any way of knowing if this was a problem earlier and they just didn't change the belt or what has happened. Can this be caused by just the belt being loose? Should I change it or try to get somemore miles out of it. Like I said. It looks fine except for the beveling. Manual says some beveling to the outside is fine, but I can't think it should be as much as I'm seeing. Any one an expert on this subject? Sure could use some help.This is my first Harley. Thanks

JIM

 

I've seen this more than once.....mostly on Pre-Twin Cam models though. Also mostly common with the stock pulley and before the bike hits 50,000 miles.

Everything is and appears to be lined up correctly. The belt seems to have the proper tension. Yet, the belt is still beveling quiet excessive on the outer edge.

What usually happens....the transmission pulley seems to work itself loose somehow. The pulley has two allen bolts and a unique lock washer keeping the pulley in place. Eventually, the pulley wobbles side to side creating excessive wear on the belt. Alot of times, the splines on the pulley are nearly rounded out....this will leave someone stranded really quick.

You mentioned that the previous owner was not into maintenance....and considering IF herode the bike really hard.....I would consider taking a look at the pulley. You can use a small light and a mirror to check this.

 

I have the back wheel off. I have looked at the trany pulley. It seems to be tight against the inner primary case. Plus its trapped in there. If it was loose it would rub against part of the swing arm and it's not. I beginning to wonder if it's something that happened and the guy didn't want to replace the belt. Thanks for your help.

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If you ahve checked every tooth on the pulleys and they are fine. And the pulleys are aligned and tight then replace the belt. Something may have gotten wedged in one of the pulleys in the past. We find that many take great care of the bike "shiney" wise but do not take the time to really clean the road grundge out from the front pulley area. keeping both pulley clean of oil and grime will largely extend belt life.

 

I know you wont believe this? but a worn motor mount can cause problems. Also rear swing arm bushing.isolators.
Do yourself a really big favor. Please have a HarleyDealer look at this. The last thing you want is this drive belt going south when your riding North.
Road Captain LehighValley Hog Chapter has over 200,000 miles on drive belt.UClassic

 

I went to a Harley Shop that has a pretty good head mechanic. He said that the inside flap on the belt guard can roll up on top of the belt and cause this problem. I had shown him the same picture. He said he usually removes the rivets and takes them off.I looked at my belt guard and it is worn in the same area, he sugested. Can't hardly beleive it. But he didn't even hesitate. What do you guys think? Could it be that simple?

Thanks

 

I found beveling on mine. I asked around and quickly learned what caused it. The last time I mounted a tire, I did not pull the rubber belt guard flap down. It was riding on the belt and wore the edge off. That was over 20k miles ago.

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That looks exactly like mine. And are you saying you have run the belt 20000 since it looked like that, or did you change it. Thanks.

JIM

 

I have ridden the bike 20k miles since the beveling was done. I am not changing the belt till it breaks.