Changing the drive belt......alone

[frankxb12r]

Hi guys,

Due to a recent broken belt (luckily on street and friends could helped me out), I've been thinking: If you're alone on the road and the belt got broken (and thinking positively you have an spare belt), it's possible to change it?? Alone??

Waiting for your answers...

Frank.

 

[03Firebolt9R]

Yes, it is.

 

[Riderdie]

On the road by your self, not a chance!
Even with other people not a chance unless one is driving a car with a jack and wrench.

 

[dave_xb12r]

Yes it's possible. The swing arm has a piece that comes off so that the belt can fit between it. Then the pull covers and belt tensioner have to come off.

 

[frankxb12r]

Could you send the procedure??? Photos if possible

Best regards,

Franklin

 

[Riderdie]

How do u guys figure it's possible on the road by yourself?

Or am I misunderstanding the ?

It's certainly no more than a one man job at home but with a rear wheel lift, a big old wrench and some other tools

 

[jimijeans]

Yes you can depending on your model of bike as long as you have a couple of wrenchs on hand. pull the front belt cover, loosen the rear axle enough threads to get some mobility(slack) in the belt slide the front belt area back thru.,to the rear Lock your forks & be on level area if possible. GENTLY get the axle rest of the way out so you can slide the new belt on. the tire can rest on inner area and so on. BTW this way REALLY sucks. Cause you are trying to balance the bike w/ the help of the kickstand it's able to be done but DANG! (NOT allowed to cuss made a bet w/my niece) .25cents per word! Marine Honor system! damn piggy banks! Opps! Now days I just call a tow and do it at home w/ a couple of wrenches & get the rear up w a swingarm stand. Oh and i can have a Crown & mixer. Plus i would be more worried about pushing it to a safe place. With a Daughter in College rather have AAA tow whats needed nowadays. Every one has probably a way but this worked for a friend of mine & on the side of the road really was easier w/ us both.Good luck w/that. [confused]

 

[andymnelson]

Of course it's possible. You don't even need to jack up the bike if it's in the garage....

Just loosen the rear axle, remove frame brace and front pulley cover and replace belt. 5 minute job.

Manual says to loosen or remove (I don't remember which) idler pulley, but that is totally unnecessary as well.

As long as you have a couple of tools, you are set.

Of course putting on a pre-stretched belt will make things easier. I bought one off of a BadWebber for $20 for a buddy of mine- he keeps the used belt and a couple of tools under his seat at all times now. Easy-peasy.

 

[03Firebolt9R]

I agree with andy's process. Loosening the rear axle is sufficient in a pinch. Lifting the rear does make it easier as it takes the stress off the swingarm/belt.

 

[jimijeans]

Opps! BTW- some buells (IF) you can get the bolts loose/ pull the part of the swingarm off and just slip it thru., dang Genius on Eriks part i must say . My buddy had stripped out the allen head on one of them taking out the option, I wanted to do .So we did it the hard way . I won't do it that way again ! Make sure the bolts on the Swing arm will come loose & have some new ones stashed at home. What was I thinking?[smirk]

 

[andymnelson]

Yes jimijeans, you help to make a good point in all of this:

When it comes to roadside repairs, you need to be prepared! Many people think that having the right tools and parts if enough preparation. I suggest you need to prepare in (at least) 2 more ways:
1) YOU need to be prepared. If you think you might have to do roadside repair, you really ought to have done the repair previously. For example, if you end up replacing your belt roadside and have never replaced a belt...it will take you WAY longer to do!
2) YOUR BIKE needs to be prepared, or most precisely: it needs to be in good repair. For example, if the allen head bolt on the swing arm brace is stripped, roadside is NOT the place to try to repair it! A quick check of all of the fasteners every now and then (use your manual for torque specs) will go a long way for you here.

 

[Rays]

Definitely possible - I've done it on my Uly. That had the additional issue of having the luggage rack in the way but as long as you have the tools and belt at hand then it is completely straight-forward.
The previous recommendation about making sure the allen head bolts in the removable section are in good order and aren't corroded or drowned in red loctite is worth taking notice of.
What I do before any trips where I might be forced into this situation is make a couple of marks on the axle and swing-arm to give a rough idea idea of the two torque points and just carry a 22mm ring spanner to use on the axle adaptor.
Just make sure you get the axle off the tapers, remove the swing-arm section, belt covers, pulley cover and R/H footpeg bracket. Replace belt and assemble in reverse order (making sure you replace the removable swing-arm bit BEFORE tightening the axle).
I carry a spare belt that has done about 12,000miles so it is easier to fit than a brand new super tight one but that is personal choice.
Of course carrying a spare belt on a Uly with luggage isn't difficult - I haven't had to get creative with folding techniques.:

 

[frankxb12r]

Thank you guys for your posts; You're the best!!!

 

[Tyler Oxton]

if u have the tools u can. caus ive changed by myself with no jack with it on the ground. not easy but doable

 

[kirt8548]

How do you get the swing arm brace off as mentioned in the service manual?

 

[kirt8548]

Forget my stupid question. I found it, replaced the belt and saved myself the $200/labor that my local HD dealer estimated.... WOO HOO!!!!!

 

[dkaar]

Does anyone have pics or a video of how this is done. I only learn visually and would love to see the process. Thanks