[ed]

Hi Guys

I've just collected my 2001 TC Dynaglide from the tyre fitters. I usually remove the back wheel myself, but as the offspring has pinched the car for two weeks it was take the bike there and leave it time. The fitter has knocked a small chunk out of the rear sprocket, as far down as the top of the teeth. He has dressed this, and it seems clear of the belt,and smoothe.
I have, however, several questions that someone may like to or be able to answer:

Am I heading for a chewed up belt if the rim is not continuous? He has offered to 'weld' the alloy and to dress it back to profile. Will this be worth doing?

The sprocket itself looks quite worn, with corresponding but lesser wear on the belt. At 32,000 miles, does it need replacing anyway? Do I presume that the front will be worse, or is it of hard steel and much harder wearing? If only the rear sprocket is replaced, will it soon be excessively worn if the belt is not also replaced?

As an extra, the fitter has replaced the wheel spindle the other way round, saying that this is safe, and easier now that the exhaust will not have to be removed to withdraw it. Is this advice correct, and if so, why is it put in from the RH side in the first place? I have always, despite the time taken, removed and replaced the wheel with the components in the same order as Mssrs Harley and Davidson put them together.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.


Ed