D. Peter Maus wrote:

I deal with the factory shop in Milwaukee. They've been saying since
the belt first appeared that they don't even stock it because breakages
are so rare.

Are you seeing belt problems?


Not really. I've only seen one belt lose a few teeth and that was on a
really neglected bike. The rear belts they are changing are being done
on the Harley recommended schedule. HD tried using primary belts a few
years back, with predictable, heat related failures. A totally enclose
primary will do that.

It isn't Harley alone that makes me wonder. It's all engineering staff.
I wandered around a car salvage yard a while back. It's amazing how many
cars make it extremely difficult to get at the timing belt.

On a Ford, the stupid belt was blocked by two other layers of belts and
pulleys. It was more work to get at the thing than the actual change.

A friend's Chev had to have the spark plugs changed. It is a V6, front
wheel drive. You can not get at the three rear plugs without removing
the coil pack first. There are two plastic fuse holder boxes, one on
either side of the engine compartment. The problems only arise when you
actually have to change a fuse.

The two diagonal supporting struts that go to the front of the car block
off access to both covers. They have to be loosened and swung out of the
way.

Just the thing for a dark night fuse change.

The wind shield wiper fluid container is of a flattish design. It is
bolted in tight against the top of the battery and completely covers it.
To me, a battery is a maintenance item and should be accessible. GM
appears to think it's not necessary.

Access to headlight bulbs is also ridiculous. Too many cars make it
extremely difficult to get at the plug in sockets. On my last Toyota,
the battery had to be removed in order to get at the thing. Strangely,
the Toyota used German H4 halogens and Michelin tires. A friend's new VW
tdi has Chinese bulbs.




mike