Drive Belt Removal

[Purple Guy]

I have a 2014 RT-Ltd that I need to replace the drive belt.
Couldn't find anything in the service manual as to the steps involved.
Wondering if anyone has done this and what maybe involved.
I guess the easy question, do I need to remove the rear tire or is there an easier solution?
Thanks everyone!

[Chupaca]

At least on the RS it looks like if you remove all the belt protectors and fender brace you can remove the belt. You would have to loosen the axel move the adjusters all the way and should be enough to move the belt off the sprocket. You could also remove the rear lower shock bolt and drop the wheel down and remove the belt from the sprocket. This way the adjusters remain in place but with a new belt you will have to recheck the tension....RT has a different fender set up.

[Grandpot]

When dropping the wheel down by removing the lower shock bolt, disconnect the ride height sensor first, otherwise you will damage it. I am assuming you have the automatic ride height system connected and working on your bike.

[Purple Guy]

When dropping the wheel down by removing the lower shock bolt, disconnect the ride height sensor first, otherwise you will damage it. I am assuming you have the automatic ride height system connected and working on your bike.

Yes it is connected and working.
Thanks for your reply.

[Doc - Riverside]

Which service manual do you have. It's covered in the Green Manuals.

[Purple Guy]

Which service manual do you have. It's covered in the Green Manuals.

I have the same, didn't see anything though I only did a quick search.

[JayBros]

Would you kindly share the reason for the belt replacement. Road damage? Excessive wear somewhere? Is there something we 1330 ACE engine RT folks need to watch out for? Thanks.

[Purple Guy]

Would you kindly share the reason for the belt replacement. Road damage? Excessive wear somewhere? Is there something we 1330 ACE engine RT folks need to watch out for? Thanks.

Picked up a rock and it put a hole through the belt

[Bob Denman]

Step One:
Find the sharpest knife that you own...

Oh! You need to replace it also??

Never mind...

[Purple Guy]

Step One:
Find the sharpest knife that you own...

Oh! You need to replace it also??

Never mind...

Yeah Bob, I was able to pry the rock out while on the road and even though it is a small hole and rode with it the last 4 days of our trip, about 1300 miles I'm going to replace it for piece of mind.

[Doc - Riverside]

I have the same, didn't see anything though I only did a quick search.

Just did a recheck and the BRP Tech Writer's left this very important procedure out of the manual for the 2014 and above RT's. It can be found in the 2010 thru 2013 manual if you have a copy if not pm me your E-mail address and I'll send the pages you need.

[Purple Guy]

Just did a recheck and the BRP Tech Writer's left this very important procedure out of the manual for the 2014 and above RT's. It can be found in the 2010 thru 2013 manual if you have a copy if not pm me your E-mail address and I'll send the pages you need.

Thanks Doc, didn't think to look at an earlier manual. Odd they missed that???

[HankD]

Just did a recheck and the BRP Tech Writer's left this very important procedure out of the manual for the 2014 and above RT's. It can be found in the 2010 thru 2013 manual if you have a copy if not pm me your E-mail address and I'll send the pages you need.

I seem to recall watching a video recently on here that was titled "Rear Tire Replacement"....somebody doing it in their garage. One of the first few steps before removing the rear wheel was how to get the drive belt off. I can't seem to find it now, but I think it was someone who posts frequently on the forum. "Motorcycle Dave" maybe? If I find it I will post, maybe helpful or maybe not.

[Purple Guy]

I seem to recall watching a video recently on here that was titled "Rear Tire Replacement"....somebody doing it in their garage. One of the first few steps before removing the rear wheel was how to get the drive belt off. I can't seem to find it now, but I think it was someone who posts frequently on the forum. "Motorcycle Dave" maybe? If I find it I will post, maybe helpful or maybe not.

I just replaced my tire 1 month ago, it's easy enough to get it off the sprocket, with the tire off the ground just spin it backwards while pulling the belt outwards.
Just wasn't sure if it was possible to remove the belt without taking the tire off... Now I know!

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

I too had a stone poke a hole in my belt at 16,000 miles. The stone was in the middle of the belt. If your hole was near the edge then, yes, replace it. My stock belt lasted over 108,000 miles.
Chuck

Picked up a rock and it put a hole through the belt

[almosthere]

Thanks for the good news on small hole in center of belt. I too have the same happen. I really did not want to send 300+ on a new belt. BB size ?something? went through almost dead center at around 14K miles, now have 19K+ on it and no changes. I will continue to watch and keep riding. Thanks again Chuck for a bit of good news.

[cptjam]

Take a silver sharpie, and draw a circle around the hole. Take a picture, use a dime beside it for a reference. Check it weekly, then after a while, monthly. I had 70k on one with a hole when I sold that bike. Worked fine. If the hole grows or tears, replace belt.

[Purple Guy]

Take a silver sharpie, and draw a circle around the hole. Take a picture, use a dime beside it for a reference. Check it weekly, then after a while, monthly. I had 70k on one with a hole when I sold that bike. Worked fine. If the hole grows or tears, replace belt.

I have gone about 1300 miles on it since I noticed/removed the rock, the hole hasn't grown that I can tell but that being said I am going to replace it, picked up the belt today, and keep this one as a spare which I can have handy if the need arises...

[Jbandauskas]

I seem to recall watching a video recently on here that was titled "Rear Tire Replacement"....somebody doing it in their garage. One of the first few steps before removing the rear wheel was how to get the drive belt off. I can't seem to find it now, but I think it was someone who posts frequently on the forum. "Motorcycle Dave" maybe? If I find it I will post, maybe helpful or maybe not.

Lamonster garage has a video.

[Peteoz]

Lamonster garage has a video.

Hahaha……If Purple Guy hasn’t resolved it after 5 years, he probably doesn’t have to, Jbandauskas.
…….and we all get caught out by the dreaded “date” at one time or another.

Pete