In a previous article, we discussed the cam chain issue, how to fix it, and how much it costs to do so.
This time, we’re going to take a look at the average Harley Davidson drive belt replacement cost – one of the most overlooked maintenance repairs for those bikes.
So read on if you’re curious about what goes into this type of service, and whether or not it’s something you might be able to do yourself. We’ve also got some tips on how to save money on drive belt replacement costs if you end up having to go to a professional.
Harley Davidson Drive Belt Replacement Cost
On average, a Harley Davidson drive belt replacement costs $450 to $600 with parts and labor included.
The drive belt usually costs $150 to 200$ (depending on which brand you choose), and replacing it takes around 4 hours total. Assuming that most independent shops charge $100 for 1 hour of labor (depending on location), you can expect to pay $400 or more for a mechanic to do the job for you.
Interestingly, dealerships charge around $140 for 1 hour of labor, and if you’re on a tight budget, we recommend avoiding them. In most cases, independent shops can do the job just as well as HD dealership mechanics.
Lastly, in order to replace the drive belt, the mechanic will have to first remove the primary, which is the perfect time to inspect the parts for wear.
If the mechanic finds badly worn parts, like bearings, the chain, etc. – you can expect to spend even more.
How to Save Money on Drive Belt Replacement
Times are tough right now and if there’s ever been a time to save money, it’s now.
In order to minimize the cost of replacing the drive belt on your Harley Davidson, we strongly recommend staying away from the dealership.
Most independent shops can do the job just as well and they will likely charge significantly less for labor.
Another way to save money is to do the job yourself. Granted, this isn’t for everyone, but if you’re mechanically inclined and have the time, it’s definitely doable.
You can find a great tutorial on how to replace the drive belt on a Harley Davidson here.
Changing the drive belt is actually pretty straightforward, and if you’ve worked on your bike before, then you should be able to tackle the job, especially with the video tutorial above.
How Often Should You Change the Drive Belt on Your Harley Davidson?
At first, Harley had a 60,000 miles replacement interval for all drive belts on their motorcycles, but as time passed and technology changed, that interval was scrapped and replaced with a simple inspection interval.
It is recommended to inspect the drive belt every 5,000 miles (or once a year, whichever comes first).
The process of inspecting the drive belt is extremely simple and will only take you a few minutes at most. We usually do it whenever we change the oil, like most routine checks.
When inspecting the drive belt, look for cracks, dry rot, and tears. If everything looks fine visually, remember to check whether the belt has enough tension.
On the other hand, if you see cracks, chunks missing, or any other type of damage – replace the drive belt right away. Do not ride the motorcycle if the drive belt is damaged.
What’s the Strongest Harley Drive Belt for High-Power Applications?
If you’ve got a Stage 2, 3, or even 4 on your Harley Davidson, then you obviously would want to have the strongest drive belt possible, but which drive belt is the best?
Well, some riders (us included) believe that the stock Gates drive belt is the best, but the thing is – a drive belt is not ideal for high horsepower.
The reason why Harley went with the drive belt in the first place is noise reduction (and less maintenance). The drive belt was never intended to handle big HP and TQ, therefore we strongly recommend a chain drive conversion if you’re really pushing it with power.
Conclusion
And that’s pretty much all you need to know about drive belts on Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Obviously, there’s more to it than what we covered here, but this should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
If you have any questions or if we missed something, please feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Nick Kowalski is a diesel mechanic by trade, but his passion lies in motorcycles.
He’s been riding them since he was just a wee lad, and he loves restoring old Japanese street bikes and ATVs in his spare time.
Nick is an adrenaline junkie at heart, and he loves nothing more than hitting the open road on his motorcycle.