Belt for a KZ440

Due to a broken belt on my bike; I am looking into having a custom belt made. I know a chain swap is easy enough but I want to keep the bike as close to stock as I can. I see belts for other bikes run $150 and up. That being said I am curious what you personally would pay for a new (not a 30 year old "new") belt if they were available.

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Ed

That is going to be a 30 year old belt I bet. I am just curious what you would actually pay for a new one. I am in the process of getting a quote for a custom made one. (too much time on my hands these days) I have a company that is looking into it and want this info to see if their price is inline with what KZ440 owners would pay.

I wouldn't pay more than what a Harley belt costs. But before worrying about the price, I would check to see if non-OEM is available. maybe try PartsUnlimited or Gates. Is there an H-D belt that will work? or maybe Honda?

As much as I enjoyed the belt drive experience, I nearly gagged when it was time to replace it. Yes, it was still available then. I converted to chain. Maybe if the difference had been within 20 or 25 percent of a high quality chain, I would have stayed with the belt.
Oh, by the way, I had a 750, not a 440.

martin_csr wrote: I wouldn't pay more than what a Harley belt costs. But before worrying about the price, I would check to see if non-OEM is available. maybe try PartsUnlimited or Gates. Is there an H-D belt that will work?

There was a thread about this just a few days ago. There is a belt readilly available that is only 3mm narrower than stock. In my ameture opinion, that should work just fine.

I have looked at the HD belt but have no way of telling if it will actual work without actually seeing it in person. Rumors are fine but $170 on a guess doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
I have the parts for the chain conversion coming. I just have too much time on my hands and wanted to see if it was possible to have someone manufacture the belt again at a reasonable price.

I suspect you will be very pleased with the chain. Ed

By Grcko: I have looked at the HD belt but have no way of telling if it will actual work without actually seeing it in person. Rumors are fine but $170 on a guess doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.....

I was thinking you could find something in the $100-150 range, possibly aftermarket.
As for the size, don't you just have to get a drive belt with the same teeth & same tooth count and an acceptable width?

I researched finding belt replacements for an entire week last month.
The problem you will run into is the KZ's tooth shape. It's squared off compared to the rounded Harley tooth.
In other areas the belts are similar.
I was even sourcing Harley pulleys. The rear should be easy.
Just drill it to your KZ bolt pattern.
www.demonscycle.com/billet-aluminum-fina...ooth-1-12-blank.html
The front was more difficult as the spline mount patterns are different.
KZ
www.ebay.com/p/1328321600
Harley
www.denniskirk.com/andrews/belt-drive-tr...601.prd/80560130.sku

Attached are some scans via KZ400.com Cycle Guide Feb1981

Here is one of the catalogs I went through
www.catalogds.com/db/service?domain=gate...&category=belts_sync

Well, after a lot of hours and emails, the closest I could come the the belt is one that is about 2" shorter and one that is 3" longer. The price? About $400.
So I am doing the chain conversion. It really looks like a bolt up and go situation. My question is; what are the tricks to keep the front pulley from spinning when breaking the nut loose? I am going to try an impact gun to break it loose tonight but other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

The rattle gun alone will likely do the job. If not, you can have a helper apply the rear brake, or you can stick aboard through the rear wheel just above the swingarm to stop the wheel.