2003 XB9s belt replacement help

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zeus87

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Joined
Mar 9, 2011
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So I noticed a crack in my drivebelt, now what? Anyone know where I can find one cheap? $175 seems crazy?!? Also, what about the pulley conversion I hear about? Thanks a lot. BTW bike has 9100 miles.
 
I couldn't find one any cheaper really. The Pulley conversion changes it to an 04/05 pulleys set up that has less teeth and the belt supposedly has a lifetime warranty (from what I was told). You can also go for a chain conversion.

Buying the new belt is the cheapest route if cash is an issue.
 
That's pretty cheap actually. Get a chain bike, and you'll be putting chain and sprockets on every 8000-10000 miles and about the same cost. A small visual crack in the belt does not mean that it needs to be replaced- you can likely go MANY more miles on that belt.

The '04+ belts DO NOT have a lifetime warranty. They are lifetime belts, meaning that the do not have a service interval like the '03 belts.

If the crack really worries you, get a new belt, and carry the old one as a spare- if you ever break the new one, the old pre-stretched belt will be much easier to install roadside.

A few tips that are VERY IMPORTANT to making our belts (especially the '03 belts) last:
1) NEVER bend them backwards (opposite of their natural curve)
2) NEVER bend them sideways (as in being lazy at a tire change and bending the belt off to the side)
3) NEVER bend them too sharply in the direction they made to bend
 
How do we know if we have a '03 type" belt? My bike is a '03 XB9R with almost 10,000 miles.
 
Make sure if you buy the 03 belt the last letter is an R not F. R is the updated version of it. I almost got screwed on it so beware. If you take care of the 03 setup you shouldn't have any problems. I've had no issues and I'm still useing the F style and have had a little crack for a while. I got about 9000 miles too. My tensioner is on the way out though starting to chirp a little. Just bought the new style to replace it for this season and I'll keep what I got for a good spare. Good luck to ya and ride safe!
-Arthur-
 
I have an 03 belt I'll be willing to sell. Has about half a season if not less. I have a 12 motor now so it's diff pulleys pm me if your interested.
 
by the way I just found the part number if this will help you search. G0500.02A8R.

I found it at surdyke.com for 148.74 but it may come out to be the same after shipping. And they take forever on delivery. (2 weeks when you want it now.)
 
I noticed that I am hearing a little sqeek every now and then. Guess I should look into a new tensioner. When you change to the "new style" belt you have to change to a "new style" tensioner right?
 
From what I've been told, you only have to change the tensioner when you do the pulley conversion. Why...I have no idea.
 
I got a friend at the stealership around here that says he just does the bearing in them even though they dont offer a kit for it. Held up for him so I'm going to give it a try. Updated belt uses the same tensioner for sure. 03 tensioners are for 03 setups only (I think), but some say their all the same. Whats everyone getting for miles on the tensioners? and anyone just doing the bearing? I noticed my belt hitting my belt guard from my tensioner being bad, not helping the life of my belt for sure. I don't see the big deal to upgrade to 04& up setup, I've seen people get upwards of 30,000mi on the original belt. Think it was lucky but like people say, it's all how you treat them, and how big you are!
 
2003 ONLY XB ALL MODELS OEM PART NUMBER
GO500.02A8F-----SUPERSEDED TO GO500.02A8R
155 TOOTH---1-1/8" WIDTH---11MM PITCH
R ENDING TRANSLATES TO GATES UPGRADED BELT

They are out there and still active in dealer system. Google is your friend.
 
St. Paul Motorcycle's Buell Belts & Sprocket Reference
 
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