1978 Exciter belt clearance?

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
289
Age
62
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Stupid question but, is there a trick to changing the drive belt on the above Exciter?

The clearance as shown by the attached photos is nearly nonexistent. I was able to get the old belt off due to the fact that it was missing chunks. There seems to be zero room between the steering linkage and primary and it doesn't look like the sled has been crashed... Thoughts?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 

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  • 1978 Exciter 440 belt clearance1.jpg
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  • 1978 Exciter 440 belt clearance2.jpg
    1978 Exciter 440 belt clearance2.jpg
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Thanks guys for the ideas. I was able to lift the front and get just a small amount more clearance to make it work. I cannot imagine changing a belt on one of these on the trail though.....there has to be a better way..
 
ALLSEASONRIDER said:
Thanks guys for the ideas. I was able to lift the front and get just a small amount more clearance to make it work. I cannot imagine chan ging a belt on one of these on the trail though.....there has to be a better way..
frame is bent up from a hard hit mine is just like that have to twist it around to get it off I have two 1978s and my other has lots of clearence belt pops righ off. And the 1 that's like urs was just as easy to take off just like my other 1 when I got it
 
ALLSEASONRIDER said:
I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the info!
I still need to fix mine but it doesn't change how it rides and they don't eat belts so don't have to change often I don't think it will be an easy fix tho
 
Like y201srx said.

The front crossmember (square tube spindles go through) bends or bellys out in the middle causing the spindle to be higher than the should. I've straightened many over the years but unless the sled is torn down to a bare chassis it's tough to do.

opsled
 
Thanks for the info guys. Its a good cheap kids sled that will never be a show piece...at least not by me. Runs good and with a little lifting of the front end the belt change was much easier.
 


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