Damage to belt - any advice on changing it out?

[knklehd1]

I was checking the air in my rear tire today and came across damage to the belt. My plan right now is to keep an eye on it and if need be change it out. The slit is about an 1 1/4" long. Being new to Spyders, any advice on changing out the belt would be appreciated.

 

[BajaRon]

You can run it and keep an eye on it. But I recommend that you rotate the damage to the bottom between the spockets and trim the torn part off just beyond the attachment point. This will help prevent further deterioration. If you leave the flapping portion, it will get worse and could even catch and damage something else.

I would also rotate the wheel to be sure there are no other bad spots. And if you see any evidence of the bad spot getting worse, I would definitely replace it.

The good news is that our drive belts are way over spec'ed for the service they are designed to deliver. So there is a great deal of overhead strength as long as the belt is in otherwise good condition.

On the other hand, I have a feeling that many would say, 'Replace it'. It depends on how far down the scale of 'Better safe than sorry' you are.

 

[knklehd1]

Will do Ron, Thank you.

 

[BajaRon]

Will do Ron, Thank you.

Report back and let us know how it goes.

 

[Peter Aawen]

You can run it and keep an eye on it. But I recommend that you rotate the damage to the bottom between the spockets and trim the torn part off just beyond the attachment point. This will help prevent further deterioration. If you leave the flapping portion, it will get worse and could even catch and damage something else.

I would also rotate the wheel to be sure there are no other bad spots. And if you see any evidence of the bad spot getting worse, I would definitely replace it.

The good news is that our drive belts are way over spec'ed for the service they are designed to deliver. So there is a great deal of overhead strength as long as the belt is in otherwise good condition.

On the other hand, I have a feeling that many would say, 'Replace it'. It depends on how far down the scale of 'Better safe than sorry' you are.

Wot 'E says! ^^ Especially about the checking for any more damage & trimming the belt; and that these belts ARE waaayy over-spec'ed for our Spyders!

I've seen far worse damage than that on a number of belts that've then gone on working successfully, some for over 100,000 additional miles!! There again, I have seen one that basically just shredded from what everyone thought was a minor nick, so there is a little bit of luck involved - but just a LITTLE bit!

 

[Mikey]

Check the inside for signs of wear or rot as well! They're tuff as nails but keep an eye on it!

 

[knklehd1]

There is no other damage!! I did trim it. There is no rot, it's a 24 Sea to Sky, just picked up in November. Like I said, I'm gonna keep an eye on it for now. Today and tomorrow I have a least 500 miles of wind therapy planned.

 

[pegasus1300]

What you see after that 500 miler will tell you what you need to know. "Trust but verify"

 

[BajaRon]

Love to have a picture of your 'Trim' job!

 

[Gwolf]

Might not be a bad idea to buy a new belt and keep it in the frunk. You will need it eventually, and where you need it may not be where one is, except for the one in the frunk. On long trips, I used to carry extra belt in the bottom of a bag tired on the rack. They don't take up much room once you get rid of the box.

 

[canamjhb]

I had a slit on mine that looked exactly like yours. Really can't remember what caused it. I trimmed it like Ron suggested, worried about it for a while, looked at it often, and eventually quit worrying about it. Sold the bike 3 years later with no additional belt issues.....

 

[knklehd1]

I rode 310 miles today. It looks like it might have gotten a tad bit bigger at the bottom, the top looks the same to me. I didn't measure it, didn't have time tonight, I went for ice cream with the wife and granddaughter. I will measure it after tomorrow's ride and keep you guys up to date.

 

[Mikey]

The way that thing walks back and forth it will file itself flatter after a bit. I would keep an eye on that spot and on your belt adjustment, make sure that it's not too tight to the right. Good luck!

 

[BajaRon]

I had a slit on mine that looked exactly like yours. Really can't remember what caused it. I trimmed it like Ron suggested, worried about it for a while, looked at it often, and eventually quit worrying about it. Sold the bike 3 years later with no additional belt issues.....

Now, if I could only get my wife to take my suggestions....

 

[blacklightning]

I am curious as to what could have caused that damage. I had one on my 2016 F3T that I replaced. It had about an 1/8" dia pebble lodged in it. I know exactly where it came from. A buddy and I did the entire BRP in 2017 and a large part of the Va side was being repaved with the tar and gravel method. We rode through about 20+ miles of that stuff. When I took it in for service the tech showed me the spot. It was pushed outward by the sprocket (glad it didn't damage that). I was told to just leave it in because taking it out would probably leave a hole that might shred the belt quicker. I replaced it about 6 months later and kept that one for a spare.

 

[knklehd1]

I only rode 140 miles today, there was some really sharp twisties and I did twist the throttle some, and it didn’t get any bigger. I don’t like the way the bottom looks. I called the dealer they want $600 otd parts and labor. I had BRP on the phone and opened a case with them about my U0155 code and that I had to purchase a new battery to clear code C1290 VCM Voltage Failure - they told me they don’t warranty batteries but they do warranty belts. So, the question of the day is: do I wait till June and let the dealer see if they can get it under warranty; or do I just replace it myself. I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that something didn’t hit it but I’m at 95 percent that it just started by itself.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I take that if you do it yourself, you'll hafta pay the $600; but if you can get it under warranty in June, BRP will cover it?!

For me, knowing that I've seen belts that looked VASTLY worse than then go on strong and last over 100,000 miles more, while carrying damage that looked far worse, I'd be aiming for June & trying to get it on BRP's dime!

Surely having that $600 in your pocket/paying for valuable riding time has gotta be better than tossing it away now on the off chance that the belt won't last? And maybe it won't, &/or BRP won't cover it under warranty later so you end up paying anyway; but like I said, I've seen lots of belts that looked far worse that that last waaaaay longer/do more miles than you can possibly put in between now and June, so the odds are in your favour.

If you're concerned about how it looks elsewhere (... I don’t like the way the bottom looks. ...) any chance you can get us a pic so we can check it out and assess further?? But like I said, going by the top views that you've given us so far, that looks like minimal damage that should have no or minimal impact on the belt's longevity.

Just Sayin'

 

[Mikey]

I would have them do it on their dime!!! But as I said in my last post, your belt alignment looks off! It's tight to the side! If that's how it rides all the time, that maybe why that belt gave up so soon. It's something to watch.