1998 883

Got a new belt finally after the old one snapped.

Do I really have to remove the rear wheel?

Can't I fish it through if I remove the shock?

Hoping to wrench on it this weekend.

Edit: I have a service manual. It says remove the rear wheel. But I was hoping for a backyard mechanic shortcut.

 

Think about it.....axle runs through the belt sprocket.

 

the belt just runs behind the guards and sprocket cover. he could probably finagle it in there but, it's not worth destroying the belt in the process. bending the belt in funny ways will cause a failure.

since the belt needs to be adjusted and wheel aligned after, it's not worth trying to skate around the proper method anyway.

 

You still can't get a belt around the rear sprocket without at least sliding the axle out of the swing arm enough to squeeze the belt by there.

 

ruining the belt in the process.

 

I'm thinking.

Take off the cover for the front pully. Pushing the rear tire all the way forward. Removing the shock. And put the belt on the rear first. Then over the front pully.

Of course the exhaust and master cylinder would be out of the way.

 

I don't think the rear wheel will move that far forward.

I also don't understand the reluctance to take the wheel off. It's an easy process when done carefully.

But let us know if you succeed.

 

drop the wheel if you can.

 

Crazy talk you people!

You don't have to remove the rear wheel to change the belt! In fact, my original SM changes it just like Harley does. You have to remove the exhaust, sprocket cover and shock (Lower bolt) no matter what. You loosen the axle and slid the wheel all the way forward. Remove and replace the belt. Kabam.

 

I've never read the FSM on how to change the belt because I haven't needed to yet.

If they would just make a belt with a buckle in it, we wouldn't have to remove ****!