Anybody else have a drive belt ruined by road debris? I was riding my 2011 Fatboy home, only have 9,000 miles on it and came to a road construction stop as they were laying down new asphalt. I was stopped for a while then waived on, of course I was in front of everbody else but still went slow, about 15-20 MPH. The road was still covered with loose pieces of asphalt and there was nowhere to stop or turn around as we were in one lane. I got home about 5 miles later and found some asphalt had lodged in and cut a groove along the backside of my drive belt. So now it's at the dealership getting a new one. There are two roads home and the other road was just tarred and chipped.Gotta love living in rural PA!

 

There are basically four ways to ruin a drive belt:

1. Plain old wear from lots of miles
2. Huge power motor and dropping the clutch
3. Misalignment of the belt/loose sprocket(s)
4. Road debris lodging into the belt drive

Sorry to hear #4 got you. It is less common, but unfortunately not uncommon. Some folks swear that removing the belt guards reduces this problem. Others say the guards prevent it from happening more often. I can't say who is right. My belt guards are installed and, thankfully, I have not had the problem you did.

While you are getting the work done, make sure to ask the mechanic to mount the axle so that it can be removed next time (left to right instead of right to left) without removing the exhaust (reverse from the way it was installed at the factory). Also, make sure they check for broken teeth on the sprockets. If you have been thinking of getting a chrome rear sprocket or a chrome cover for your stock one, now is the time, my friend.

 

Dang sorry to hear that

 

What a complete pain...feel for you bro..

 

I've had a groove on the outside of my belt for 40,000 miles. That's not a ruined belt unless it's into the fibers..

 

No, But my Son just had his ruined by a nut that came off the exhaust. Always serviced at a dealer and extended warrantee but they would not cover it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm hoping the sprockets are OK but won't know until the belt comes off. Yeah, it was deep enough I could see fibers.

 

Greencastle ?

I found bits and pieces of asphalt laying on top of the case/trans area on my ride.. i was like wtf.. gonna give it a good look over today.

 

Route 416?

 

ok, it sounded real familiar with what i've been dealing with the past 2 weeks on route 16 in greencastle.. what a freekin mess.

PS, i checked the ride real close today.. everything looks ok except for the the primary seal leaking..