The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

Okay so I snapped my Dayco drive belt and I'm sure it was adjusted to tight from everything I've read. Didn't think about having my fat ass on it while checking the tension. So I bought the Gates from Phats and it has a rigid plastic feel to it compared to the Dayco also the tag tied to it says 1 1/8" 130 T.BELT SOFTTAIL. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else noticed this and if it's okay to use.

Lots of guys on here have used the Gates instead of Dayco. Much cheaper if memory serves me correctly.

You should be fine.

The Gates Poly is more expensive then the Dayco Panther, but it is Kevlar reinforced and should be stronger. Yes, it has a very strong rigid feel or as you described plastic feel. Where did you purchase the Gates from?

New belt was purchased at: www.phatperformanceparts.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GATES-DRIVE
Paid $155 plus over nite shipping. The Dayco is about $129 I just thought the Gates had a weird feel to it and apparently it fits a Harley softtail also. Well I'm eager to get it installed and get a ride in tonight. I will let ya know what I think.

The outside ribbing on the Gates HTD Poly Chain belt is exactly the same as the Yamaha belt

What letters & numbers are marked on the belt?

I have the Gates HTD Poly Chain belt for the 1-1/2" wide Road* pulley. Markings are: BDL-PC-130 Gates made in USA

Ooops! I guess I must have been thinking about the price of the Gates compared to the Yamaha replacement belt. Wasn't that thing like three or four hundred bucks?

It is very stiff and plastic like in its feel. Hmmm...wait...sounds, um, bad?

But the belt is fine, that is the way it feels.

I have one on order and will post my opinions once I get it. I'm missing a tooth
on my panther and don't want to take a chance of it snapping even though I'm
a very mellow rider.

The markings are the same BDL-PC-130-118
I put the belt on and spent a good bit of time adjusting it. I noticed a hugh difference in the tension while sitting on it, I can just imagine with a passenger how tight it would be. I started pretty loose and while sitting on the bike I pushed down on the top of the belt while observing any movement to the bottom side and made small adjustments till movement on the bottom was at a minimum and made sure alignment was true. I still had a good inch of movement on top. This is my 2nd belt and I only have 15,000 miles on the bike and 4 rear tires later I'm sure I've been setting it up to tight.
Other issues came up so didn't get a chance to ride tonight. I left the upper belt guard off so I can polish it and maybe drill some holes in it like some of the other guys have. I tell ya though it's game over when you see your belt flop out behind your bike. The relization of what just happened totally blows. Although I was lucky enough to be close to home, play time was over and now it's time to figure out how to get the toy home.

The belt guard looks good with holes it in. I think you will like it.

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The belt freeplay/slack is based on pushing up (10# force) on the bottom portion of the belt adjacent to the ground [] [] not the top [:0]

The BDL-PC-130-118 is the same belt i have except 1-1/8" wide

I have search the forums and adjusting the belt is a pretty hot topic. I am usually a go by the manual kind of guy when it comes to repairs but not so sure on this one due to different belt compositions and the change in tension from swing arm movement. So I went with what I read on the forums like this from DFW WARRIOR:
If you have an inch of total deflection on the top portion of the belt WHEN YOU ARE SITTING ON THE BIKE, then you'll be fine. If you measure the tension when the bike is on a lift or on the side stand you just wasted your time. And unless you're running a 110 kit with some major mods then you aren't even close to overpowering a properly tensioned belt.

Hey Vector I like the job you did on your belt guard, I think I'm finally getting around to doing mine. Are you still looking for an SV 1000?

Hey Matt, I got a H-D belt gauge from the local dealer, it was only $15 or something. Well worth it I thought.

If my bike ever sells, I will be in the market for an SV1000

Hey Chris, I just might have to get one and check it. It would be interesting to see how close I am. THX