Stone lodged on outside of drive belt

[arcane12]

--edit-- The stone had come through from the inside. Doh!


Ok, here's a question - I have a stone lodged in the outside of the drive belt on my Suzuki Boulevard 650. I did a bit of an internet search, and got conficting answers as to how ridable it is.

The stone is in the middle of the outside, and I guess must have been caught up going around and gotten driven into the belt? It looks fine on the inside, but is inserted a wee ways. I know it's a case of 'how long is a bit of string' scenario, and the best answer is to replace the belt. I have read a number of accounts saying if it's in the middle, on the outside, the you can dig it out and she'll be right.

Ideas? Here is a pic I took this morning after a quick (failed) 2 minute attempt to dig it out:





I have been out on it once after noticing the stone (no idea how long it's been there - could have been weeks or days) with no issues. Should I stop riding it completely until I can remove the stone, or is it ok for a while?

[nodrog:Me]

are you sure it hasnt punched through from the inside?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I think you'll get away with it mate. The outside of the belt is not where the strength of it lies, it's more a protective coating. If the stone hasn't cut the cords of the belt it'll be ok. I've seen plenty of Harley belts last many hundreds on KM's even with holes right through them when it's central.

[Crasherfromwayback]

are you sure it hasnt punched through from the inside?

I wondered that. But almost does look like it's been driven into the the top of the belt. I've seen a few do that. Get stuck to the belt with tar etc. Then get driven into it when they go round the front pully and contact the cases etc.

[nodrog:Me]

I wondered that. But almost does look like it's been driven into the the top of the belt. I've seen a few do that. Get stuck to the belt with tar etc. Then get driven into it when they go round the front pully and contact the cases etc.

When I had my S40 I never imagined it could do such a thing. Glad I sold it, saved on belts and speeding tickets.

[pete376403]

Does the drive belt have a tensioning roller running against the outside of the belt (like some Buells - see pic)? That would do it, if a stone got stuck on with tar.

[Laava]

When I had my S40 I never imagined it could do such a thing. Glad I sold it, saved on belts and speeding tickets.

You would never have tamed it bro, you were wise to sell! Always start out small. There is a thread here for noobies somewhere. Some type of motorised tricycle perhaps?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Does the drive belt have a tensioning roller running against the outside of the belt (like some Buells - see pic)? That would do it, if a stone got stuck on with tar.

LS650's don't no.

[nodrog:Me]

You would never have tamed it bro, you were wise to sell! Always start out small. There is a thread here for noobies somewhere. Some type of motorised tricycle perhaps?

training wheels for me bro!

[arcane12]

Well had a better look at it last night under better light. Yeap, punched through from the other side, as first suggested. It was hard to spot where as it was smoothed off, and a similar colour to the belt. Popped the big one out (there is a little one too) leaving a small 3-5mm hole a bit off centre of the belt.

It took a 130km ride , but I am not sure how much more to trust it. I might just pootle around town every few days to keep the bike happy, untill I can (afford to) get it replaced. Gonna hit up Boyds Hamilton to see how much. I couldn't find any listings online for a price.

Thank you guys for prompting me to double check how it came through - I could have spent way to long trying to dig it out from one side, when a slight change in force with the extra information just popped it out no worries! I guess that's the down side to the 'low maintainance' factor of belts - gotta avoid gravel/roadworks! (good luck)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Thank you guys for prompting me to double check how it came through - I could have spent way to long trying to dig it out from one side, when a slight change in force with the extra information just popped it out no worries! I guess that's the down side to the 'low maintainance' factor of belts - gotta avoid gravel/roadworks! (good luck)

You can generally tell when you've picked up a stone on the belt mate. The bike develops a vibration, which is the stone going round the front pulley. If you pull over in time and flick 'em out, you'll normally don't even damage the belt. I think it'll still hold together for a while though...

[Ocean1]

I had two holes about like that in the belt on an XB12R, fucking fresh chipseal. Lasted a few months after I picked them up, and when it did tear completely it was under extreem load.

[arcane12]

Boyds got back to me this PM. They can get a belt from Suzuki for a mere $325.

On the up side it's not driving me to drink, no. It wouldn't start this evening to go get a beer. Looks like a short or some sort. At least I know a bit about those zappy things. I'll have to dig around tomorrow after work when there's more light.

[GSF]

Boyds got back to me this PM. They can get a belt from Suzuki for a mere $325.

On the up side it's not driving me to drink, no. It wouldn't start this evening to go get a beer. Looks like a short or some sort. At least I know a bit about those zappy things. I'll have to dig around tomorrow after work when there's more light.

Ron Ayers and Mr Cycles have got them for around $190 USD, item #40 in both fiches.
Still hurts compared to the cost of a chain, but better than three and a bit hundy!

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID.../TRANSMISSION_

http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_sectio...8#.UO04xm_qkwM

[scumdog]

You can generally tell when you've picked up a stone on the belt mate. The bike develops a vibration, which is the stone going round the front pulley. If you pull over in time and flick 'em out, you'll normally don't even damage the belt. I think it'll still hold together for a while though...

Yep, I have similar thing on my T-Sports belt, (OK, it wight not be QUITE as big!) been like that for yonks, I had almost forgotten about it.


CFWB: How do those newer H-Ds with the narrower belts fare??