Belt change

[yardog]

When is time to consider new belt? What is the best belt?

[h3nry]

Basically its when it gets thinned, but that may take a few hundred miles or a few thousand miles... depends on the scooter.

If you notice performance problems (slower top speed even when Max rpms don't change) then it may be time.

I would however suggest buying a belt and having it on hand in case it breaks

[Fox]

The best belts are Bando or Gates Powerlink. Check your belt before you consider it. If it looks tattered or burnt then change it. If it looks like it's in good shape leave it but it's not a bad idea to go ahead and order a replacement hang it on a hook for later so you don't have to wait for shipping when your old belt fails. The 150's use a 835 or an 842. Either size will work fine. I prefer the 835 myself because they stretch out after some use so an 842 will get kinda sloppy after a while. Check the belt often so you can head off the failure.

As stated above, a thin worn belt will work but you may lose some MPH cause it's not traveling as far in the pulleys due to the reduced width.

[skuttadawg]

It is best to change it BEFORE its worn down or breaks . When the belt is worn inspect the roller weights for flat spots as they get em with wear and the glides on the variator too . I would only get a Bando after my research which I learned they are made in Japan not China and Honda uses them . Gates are ok too but I prefer Bando . I got 12,000 miles on one and could have gotten more but replaced it to be safe

A worn belt can break with no notice other than some slippage at times . If it breaks it can lock up the rear wheel making you slide and possibly getting hurt

Many You Tube videos on how to do it

[Fox]

Good read for people who are new:
www.scooterforumonline.com/index.php/topic,2815.0.html

I like this vid but you should never replicate it. Running it like this can cause damage if the kicker gears vibrate loose.

[qwertydude]

If you're still riding on the Chinese OEM belt the best time to replace it is when you first get the bike. Those belts are just time bombs waiting to shred on you.

After getting a Gates or Bando belt, replace them if they thin to narrower than 15mm or show signs of damage, cracking, fraying, a groove wearing out on top.

[Fox]

Some scooters come stock with a Bando or a Gates. Like I said, inspect, consider, order...

[skuttadawg]

Oh yes if you have a generic belt replace ASAP . Avoid QJ brand of belts

[Deleted]

Sooner is better, simply keep the old one in the glove box (in case of emergency you have a spare), Brando or Gates, preferably Kevlar.

[qwertydude]

Kevlar is abrasive to aluminum and can wear a groove in your variator drive face. Kevlar is really good only for high performance scooters that are shredding standard belts because of all the extra power.

[alaney]

great information but which belt ?

Gates Powerlink Premium CVT Belt 835-17-28

Bando CVT Drive Belt 835-20-30

I found two but with different sizes

[Blueboy5000]

Your bike most likely uses an 842-20-30 belt. The 835-17-28 is for longcase 50cc gy6 engines and is too narrow for a 150cc.

[Fox]

Jan 16, 2013 8:06:25 GMT -5 Blueboy5000 said:

Your bike most likely uses an 842-20-30 belt. The 835-17-28 is for longcase 50cc gy6 engines and is too narrow for a 150cc.

Long case 50cc's use a 729. Short 150's use a 743. long 150's use either 842 or 835

[prodigit]

I have a Taotao 50ATM, and am still riding on the stock chinese belt, after 2k miles.
I purchased a bando belt, just in case mine would break, or for when it's time to change it, but so far, still doing ok with the chino belt!
That being said, I also had a BMS260, which after 2k miles needed a belt change (I noticed RPM changes (higher RPM's for similar speed).
Higher powered bikes usually wear the CVT belt faster.

[skuttadawg]

No the 50s wear out faster for some reason . I had 12,000 miles and could have gotten more out of it . My 2T has a Gates with 4,000 miles and looks good with little dust