Pulley and Belt Condition

[garystaven88]

Rebuilding the rotary top 4 speed on my 1984 FXSB. While I wait for parts I wanted to examine the final drive pulleys and belt. Not sure when they were last replaced. Belt looks OK other than some built up grime from the mainshaft leak. Rear pulley looks decent too. The transmission pulley does appear worn.

Should it all be replaced? Is it like a chain setup where you should replace the sprockets and chain at same time?

Big problem I see is that the price for replacing the belt and pulleys will be near $600! I really think a chain drive setup would suffice nicely here for MUCH less. I know Chains and chain lubes have come a long way since the old days.

I realize going to a chain final drive kinda takes away the "coolness" of it being an fxsB but to be honest that doesn't concern me too much.

Rear Pulley:

Front pulley:

Belt:

[JBinNC]

Those pulleys don't look bad for their age. Front pulleys tend to beat up their splines, so if it is a sloppy fit on the main drive gear, you need to replace it. I just did one, and the only front pulley I could find was from Taiwan Tedd.

Jim

[Tattooo]

That sure is a lot of wear...... It really depends on how much you ride the bike weather you need to replace them or not.......

It should still last 20,000 plus as it is............

[garystaven88]

the only front pulley I could find was from Taiwan Tedd.

Jim

That's another issue I see. BDL sells a few as does VTwin. Also, I would think an all steel pulley would last much longer here. The current one is aluminum An all steel one is nearly $200 from Vtwin...

[JBinNC]

When I tried to order the BDL one from V-Twin it was out of stock. I did not check with BDL directly.

Jim

[garystaven88]

Here's the one I'm considering https://www2.vtwinmfg.com/front-pulley-33-tooth.html

With that said, is it acceptable to replace just the transmission pulley and keep on rolling or is it better to run what I got.

I put on at most 2500 miles/year here in Connecticut.

[JBinNC]

That's the one I used. It seemed OK.

Jim

[Tattooo]

I put on at most 2500 miles/year here in Connecticut.

I wouldn't worry about it, That one will last for many years to come......

[garystaven88]

Cleaned everything up real good. Condition actually aint bad.... no sharp edges. I've seen photos of some real bad pulleys I aint there yet. Belt aint missin any chunks.

I lied... my current transmission pulley is all steel. Looks to be that exact V-twin brand I posted.

Gonna run what I got...

[JBinNC]

The factory ones are cast iron.

Jim

[garystaven88]

The factory ones also appear to be shielded on both sides of the belt as opposed to aftermarkets on only one side.

Did some searching for an NOS front pulley.... none I can find.