Thanks JeffR For The Belt Pictorial

Thanks Jeff. I used your tutorial/pictorial to change my drive belt this morning. Also used the manual, of course. I ran into two bits of trouble.

First, one of the allen bolts holding on the rear cover portion was pretty well frozen, and got stripped, so I ended up having to drill out a hole in the head so I could stick something in there to turn the bolt. This worked out fine.

Second, when I put the outer variator plate back on, I didn't set it quite right over the spline. I found this out after I'd tightened the bolt and started the engine. NOT the sound I was looking for! OOPS!. Took it off again and made sure it was set over the spline correctly. Tightened it back up and got that beautiful purrr a nicely running Swing gives out. Haven't ridden the bike yet, but it all looks and sounds right now.

I was surprised, I guess, to see that the old belt looks pretty newish as far as I can see (14,500 miles - changed now before my upcoming tour). There was a bunch of black dust in the variator, around the rollers, either from normal use or from the time last winter when I got stuck in the mud and smoke was coming out of the rear end (?). I don't know if that was the belt burning, or the clutch, or what. Anyway, I'll keep it handy for a spare. It looks like it has many more miles left in it.

Thanks again. Great tutorial.

I had mine changed today at the shop. They charged me 75 dollars to put it on and for me it was worth it. I had them keep the old belt for me and it still looks pretty good. The outer part of the belt looks like it has more wear than the inside. I had 16100 miles on it. I guess the wear on the outside comes from some stretching and the belt slapping or rubbing on the case. Not sure. I do know that it was vibrating or shuddering when I would take off or really hit the throttle. Now is is smooth as can be and it is very responsive. Put a K&N air filter on it also.