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I contacted Ozzie Oswald at QPD some time ago and arranged to have a belt drive kit sent out. After a flurry of e-mails I have lost contact. Does anyone know if he is still operating or have I lost my money?

looks like I will be the first to answer my own query! Just managed to get hold of Bob (Ozzie) and apparently he is recovering from a hand injury - so it looks like everything is OK.

Does Brent have any in stock? Does Ozzie charge the same markup?

Its been a sad comentary that these are so hard to come by. Admittedly many of us have complained about the cost of them.......

But to have to wait an interminable period of time just to get one is ridiculous.

We have no idea how long it takes Ozzie to manufacture the sprockets. We also have no idea how many have been sold. Maybe he only comes up with one per month?

If its one per month its a sad commentary. I nearly sprung for one but heard the lead time was like ordering a Nuclear submarine.

And the price is similar to a part on a nuclear sub.

Indeed.

there is another possible option if someone could get there bike there

Frank

I thought you said your wife lets you get anything you want for the bike?

It appears no one is ever happy... I have two Harley mates that have converted to chain drive. Why? Because one of them threw a belt in the middle of nowhere and you have to take apart the whole swingarm 2 to 3hr job plus to replace the belt. A chain takes all of 15min. You do get rid of the lube problem but don't kid yourself you still have to check and adjust the belt.

It is a sad situation to be sure.

Henry, I don't carry another chain with me on the road. I think very few do. I also don't carry enough tools to swap out a rear tire on the road either. To carry a chain, I would have to also carry a breaker, ratchet and sockets, and a lot of patience. I would also have to own a bagger.

So, in the garage, I have the time to do the belt swap. On the road, chain or belt, I used my multi-tool made by Verizon. "Hello, send your tow truck to the intersection of @@@@ I will be the old angry looking guy"

I don't know any Harley guys that have swapped to chain from belt. Must be a down under thing.

Congrats on being prepared though, good idea.

OK admit I don't carry the tools either and the Harleys in question have modified engines and the belts just don't hold up.

It does depend where you ride/live. Most of mine is in rural areas. Calling a garage and expeting quick service is probably asking too much. The chance of a chain letting loose is pretty slim (vs a belt) and most local farm equipment shops or farms could change a chain in few minutes without too much hassle.

If you had a QPD you would probably have to carry a spare belt anyway as its probably not a standard issue.

I don't carry a spare belt because there's a Harley dealer on every other block.

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but don't kid yourself you still have to check and adjust the belt.

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True, but that's still a tiny fraction of the amount of maintenance required for a chain.

That's why the new 1500 CC Triumph cruiser should have a "shaft" drive.

I dont know what the real time "life span" is of the average shaft drive nor what the cost is to overhaul them when they need it but there is something to be said for the proverbial trouble free shaft drive.