looking for updated drive belt info XB12R

[XB Richard]

hello, my 05 xb12r finally needs a replacement belt.
Looks like that's 128Tooth x 1/18"
I'm in Australia and most sites either won't ship (bdl) . . (gates & aftermarket) citing export restrictions, can you believe it!
or they want $150 to $180 US extra just for postage.
HD locally want $450 to $500 AU for their sportster belt . . it's lined with gold dust.
I've trawled through every forum google will find and can't find new info . .
Anyone offer incite?
ta.

[Barrett]

Richard: Click link below. Scroll to bottom...see my name....see belt info I posted. Firebolt belts readily available over here via Harley Davidson dealer network and aftermarket outfits you mentioned. Off the top of my head, shipped weight is approx 4 US pounds. USPS priority to OZ is approx $80....USPS first class is approx $72.
I do NOT need any more work but if you buy one over here, have it sent to my dealership and I'll ship it over to you as a favor. I ship to OZ and NZ several times a week.

https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showth...982#post637982

[XB Richard]

Hi Barrett, thx that's very generous of you.
I'll try to pm you for details.
Richard.

edit: pm sent.

[XB Richard]

Hi Barrett sorry to keep you hanging . .
my local HD dealer has a belt in stock for what I can buy one for on the web+post.
thx again for your kind offer.
Richard.

[XB Richard]

Hi Barrett sorry to keep you hanging . .
my local HD dealer has a belt in stock for what I can buy one for on the web+post.
thx again for your kind offer.
Richard.

[Barrett]

Yes Sir Richard my pleasure. That new belt is going to feel extraordinarily tight during initial installation. Give it a few miles to "run in". While you're doing this work, also check your rear wheel bearings....1 per side...and the belt tensioner pulley bearings for condition and smoothness.
NOTE: You are going to struggle installing the tensioner pulley with new belt installed. There is a trick to painlessly doing it. Let me know if info needed.

[XB Richard]

the service manual just says "undo axle approx 15 turns"
it looks like there is a machined step to provide a little play.
.. hmm any "tricks" gladly received.

[Barrett]

the service manual just says "undo axle approx 15 turns"
it looks like there is a machined step to provide a little play.
.. hmm any "tricks" gladly received.

Not quite. Do as follows:

Rear wheel MUST be off ground however slight
With belt installed on BOTH pulleys....loosen rear axle EXACTLY 21 TURNS
Rear axle is standard right hand threads-------Front axle is left hand threads
Now take tensioner pulley and while firmly pushing the rotating wheel face against the bottom of the belt work the bracket onto the 2 threaded case studs

A small amount light grease on the case studs eases installation during this process. Completely remove the grease and wipe clean after bracket installed. I use small dab of blue LocTite on the case stud threads.

[TheWood]

Great advice as usual John. I thought maybe the "trick" you were going to tell him about was elongating the upper & lower holes a bit, so the tensioner pulley can rotate a bit. The new belt I installed on my XB12X recently was RIDICULOUSLY tight. I took your advice on doing this mod., and it worked beautifully! Just a couple of millimeters elongating them was all it took. Just don't over-do it. It was still awefully tight after the mod., but that's what we want. Just don't need/want that much load on the bearings. That how-to modification thread is in here somewhere.

[miatamarty]

I've seen spring loaded tensioner pulleys for sale. Are they good in theory bad in practice?