Belt Drives Drive Belts

Belt Drives Ltd: The Standard in Motorcycle Drive Belts

When it comes to replacing or upgrading the drive belt on a Harley-Davidson Big Twin, few names carry more weight than Belt Drives Ltd (BDL). Founded in 1993 by Steve Yetzke, whose roots go back more than 40 years in precision machining, BDL has spent decades focusing on one thing above all else: building the finest aftermarket motorcycle drive belts and belt drive systems available. Their drive belts are the core of what makes this brand legendary among custom builders, restorers, and performance riders alike.

Made in the USA, Built for Performance

What sets BDL apart from the competition is their commitment to full in-house manufacturing. Their California facility houses an aluminum foundry, over 50 CNC mills and lathes, a gear cutting department, and a dedicated rubber manufacturing operation complete with CAD design and rapid prototyping capabilities. This end-to-end production control means every drive belt that leaves the facility has been held to BDL's own rigorous standards — from material selection through final testing.

Primary & Rear Drive Belts for Every Big Twin Build

Primary Drive Belts are BDL's bread and butter. A BDL belt drive replaces the stock primary chain with a precision toothed belt, reducing noise, cutting down on maintenance, and giving the primary side of a Harley Big Twin a cleaner, more purposeful look. Their primary belt lineup covers an extraordinary range of fitments, from 1936-era kick-start Big Twins all the way through modern 2017 Softail models — with both kick-start and electric-start configurations available depending on the year.

Belt width options include 8mm and 11mm belts, with shaft choices (tapered or spline) varying by model year to ensure an exact, rattle-free fit. Open-style belt drive kits leave the belt and pulleys fully exposed — a popular aesthetic choice for custom builders who want their mechanical work on display.

Rear Drive Belts in the BDL lineup include the well-regarded PCCB series, available in multiple tooth counts (125T, 130T, 136T, and more) in the standard 1-1/2" width. These replacement rear drive belts are precision-cut to maintain proper tension and engagement with factory and aftermarket pulleys, making them a go-to choice for riders due for routine drivetrain maintenance or an upgrade.

Specialty lines like the Tru-Fit Timing Belt and replacement primary belts (such as the BDL-141 in 8mm x 1-3/4") round out the catalog, giving builders everything they need to keep their drivetrain running smoothly whether they're maintaining a stock configuration or assembling a ground-up custom.

Why Choose BDL Drive Belts?

• Full in-house manufacturing — aluminum foundry, CNC machining, and rubber production under one roof
• Coverage spanning Harley Big Twin fitments from 1936 through 2017
• 8mm and 11mm primary belt widths; kick-start and electric-start variants
• Rear drive belts available in multiple tooth counts for precise fitment
• Open and closed primary configurations to suit stock restorations or custom builds
• Rigorous in-house testing on every product before it ships

Whether you're swapping out a worn rear drive belt or converting your Big Twin to a full open primary belt drive system, BDL's lineup has the depth to support your build. Explore all Belt Drives Ltd products or browse the complete selection of drive belts to find the right fit for your motorcycle.