What year did Softails.....

[JamLazyAss]

When did the final belt drive get used on Softails?

All I know is that 1984 Softail still had the chain. 

[dubepj]

Don't know if this helps but I had a 1987 with a belt.

[FSG]

1985

[JBarrettB]

I'm thinking '86.

JB

[Dan89flstc]

`86, when they went to the 5 speed.

[JamLazyAss]

Wasn't 84 the only year with the four speed?

[FSG]

Oops I got it wrong.  Dan has it right, `86, when they went to the 5 speed.

In '85 the FXST had the 4 speed.

[sneakypete]

My EVO fxst came off the assembly line in October of 1985 and so it's registered as an 1986 which makes it an early 86.
That was the first year for the five speed transmission and the belt drive.
Maybe Harley had that going in late 85 but I've never heard of any.  Pete

[JBarrettB]

The last chain drives, 85 fxst, I'm thinking the fxwg in 86 was the last 4 speed chain final drive.

JB

[Mark222]

JB

If not mistaken the FXWG was a belt in 85 and 86 (last yr).  Looked at both; 85 FXWG and SG when I bought my 85 FXEF.

Remember I was not sold on the belt concept yet.  And still not 100%   

Mark

[Sixspeed]

My buddie had a belt drive, kick and electric start 84 Softail. It was a factory original mid year or late model build. Caused him all sorts of problems at the parts counter. Just saying.

[Dan89flstc]

My buddie had a belt drive, kick and electric start 84 Softail. It was a factory original mid year or late model build. Caused him all sorts of problems at the parts counter. Just saying.

Hello...?

Softails did not have belt drive until the 5 speed model, 1986.

The reason you buddy had problems at the parts counter is because he did not know what model year motorcycle he had...

Just Saying.

[Sixspeed]

My buddie had a belt drive, kick and electric start 84 Softail. It was a factory original mid year or late model build. Caused him all sorts of problems at the parts counter. Just saying.

Hello...?

Softails did not have belt drive until the 5 speed model, 1986.

The reason you buddy had problems at the parts counter is because he did not know what model year motorcycle he had...

Just Saying.

What was unique about it was the electric start and kick start. Was pretty sure it was a belt drive, but to much time has passed. Regardless it was most likely a one off effort by the factory. He had verified the vin numbers at the time with the dealer.

[sneakypete]

So, I'm not sure what would be unique about an early softail with both a kicker and electric start. The belt drive didn't come out until 86 but as far as the other things, (electric start and a kicker) those items were on all the 84 and 85 FSXT's.  And long before that as well. The big selling point for Harley for the 1986 model year was the combination of belt drive and 5 speed trans. Of course at the same time they opted to eliminate  the kick starter.
I bet their reasoning at that time was;  Theres no cranks on cars anymore  so why should there be  kickers on motorcycles.

ps. Lets not forget the 1979 or 1980 Sturgis FXE. That bike came form the factory with electric start, a kicker, a primary belt drive and a rear belt drive. pete   

[mp]

Remember I was not sold on the belt concept yet.  And still not 100%
Mark

I've only got 170,000 miles on my original belt.  I'll let you know if it lasts long enough to be worthwhile.

[Mark222]

MP

I am not really saying they are not a proven technology.  I say what I said with a little humor (& some say I have an odd sense of humor).  I own both a chain driven and a belt driven bike.  And have had many others of each type over the years. 

Pros / cons to both. 

Chain:

A little messy, a little more running noise & lasts a shorter while (Usually). 

However, it is easier to change, never had one leave me or anybody I know stranded, costs about the same for parts.

Belt:

Is quieter (when correctly adjusted), cleaner and will (usually) run longer, but more down time when it comes time to change a belt.

Experience......

I have seen a buddy lose a belt on his FXR just pulling out of his garage, and it still looked VERY good, just had a clean break right across.

Flip Side....

I have run to death and then changed one on my own bagger that I ran until I bet only 1 in 5 of the cog teeth were still attached and it ran fine until I got the time to pull it down.

Chains are easy to see (Predict) when the end coming, belts let go when they let go.

Not intending to revisit the already rehashed "chain v. belt" argument.   

I just know most (but obviously not all) riders today have never run the better generation of chains, and some never have run chains at all, but have opinions.

I like both for different reasons.

But still not 100% sold on belts   

Glad to hear your are experiencing such good service from yours.

Mark

[Old Crow]

I usually run the cheapest chain I can find on the OL's Super glide  and change it once a year, but this last time I popped for the expensive o-ring one.  Coming up on its 3rd season and its only needed adjustment like twice the whole time, so you might have a point about chain construction, Mark.