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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
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Message started by DragBikeMike on 08/30/25 at 20:29:00

Title: Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
Post by DragBikeMike on 08/30/25 at 20:29:00

I’m hoping I can pick your brains to see if any of you have personal experience with drive belt failure. I see in the Café that MMRanch had a belt failure on his Meteor. I am very interested in any observations he made prior to his failure. Any cracks or other defects noted? The factory tech manual doesn’t provide much for inspection criteria. Maybe some of you have a bit more to offer.

About 3 months ago, I inspected my belt during a routine service. At that time, the belt had about 86000 miles on it. I noted some unusual grey/white marks in 20 different locations on the belt. Every place I saw a grey/white mark, closer inspection revealed a small crack.
This is a picture of a typical defect site.

Title: Re: Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
Post by DragBikeMike on 08/30/25 at 20:29:47

This is the worst crack observed. It is 13mm long.

Title: Re: Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
Post by DragBikeMike on 08/30/25 at 20:30:52

This shows the depth of the worst crack. It is the only crack that runs to the edge of the belt so it is the only crack that I can get a feel for the depth.

Title: Re: Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
Post by DragBikeMike on 08/30/25 at 20:33:46

I now have about 88,000m miles on the odometer. The 13mm crack has not increased in length, and the total number of cracks remains at 20.

Have any of you observed the grey/white marks on the outer layer of your drive belt?

Have any of you experienced a belt failure on the stock Bando belt?

If so, did you notice any cracks or other defects prior to the failure?

If so, did you observe the condition deteriorate as the miles went up prior to failure?

Anyone have a feel for how much life may be left in my drive belt (based on the photos)?

I appreciate any help you can provide. Pictures would be great.

Title: Re: Drive Belt Inspection Criteria
Post by verslagen1 on 08/30/25 at 21:13:02

I haven't had a belt failure... yet. I can only give you my observations as to what might be happening.

Comparing the savage belt to others is going to be difficult. The savage belt is polyurethane/dacron vs. rubber/dacron that most bikes use. Our belt is basically a timing belt that depends on the lugs to transmit motion. Hence it does not rely on tension and excessive tension can damage it. Which is why most of us do not rely on the tension tool.

Because of the hard coating, don't bend or fold the belt tightly. This will stress the reinforcing fibers.

Over the years I've read several stories of belt failures and I don't think you'll be able to find a definite cause w/o looking several failures and knowing the history of each belt.

That crack could be an indication of localized failure that'll zip across the belt. Or it could last for many years. If the crack widens it certain cause for replacement.