belt break in

[CANAMCHRIS]

So what method does everyone use to break in a new belt? Ive got a Dayco XTX here and I want to see how good it is. I know to limber it up some but what does eveyone else do?

[fmj40]

Jeez.. I would think belt break in would be kinda like brakes..don't get crazy with it for the first few miles or so...the rubber will soften up and stretch as you get it hot. Probably more likely to slip and put a glaze on when its new and a little stiffer so don't go towing full size trucks around till you at least get a few miles on it.. thats about all I have.

[got wake?]

fully clean the clutches. wash the belt in warm water and soap. let dry. install. ride it in 2WD and take it easy for the first 20 minutes.

[CANAMCHRIS]

I have sanded the sheeves and blown them off with the air compressor.. Washed the belt with warm soapy water and got it hanging up to dry.. Guess im gonna hit the clutches with some brake clean and let it go..

Thanks FMJ

[CANAMCHRIS]

thanks Wake

[givinrh]

so when you say clean the clutches good, how exactly are you doing that? you just spraying them down, soaking them and then hitting them with compressed air? I thought I had read somewhere that you should not spray anything like brake cleaner etc in there.
I'm getting ready to put my 3GX belt on so I just want to make sure I do it the right way! especially since I don't want to have to mess with taking that cover back off for a while with all that silicone..

-so what are you sanding over the sheaves with? like 1200-1500 grit?? just roughing them up a little?
-then clean the belt good with warm soapy water and let dry
-then how exactly are you going about cleaning the clutches with compressed air? are you really supposed to spray break cleaner on there or what all can/should you use? I remember an article or thread sometime ago where somebody said just spray it down good with the water hose and then blow it out good with compressed air. but if there is a safe cleaner to use on it I would rather go ahead and do that while I'm in there.

Thanks in advance!

[CANAMCHRIS]

Super fine sandpaper,I dont remember the grit we used but seeings wake suggested 400 IM gonna hit mine again today..

After greasing my one way I took the air blower and simply blew out all of the Belt dust and so forth out of my clutches just like I have always done. I normally just hit the surfaces with Brake cleaner before putting the belt on and let it dry. it helps remove and grease, oil, etc from the surface. My bike has 1850 miles and the belt/oneway has been serviced like this so I dont guess it will hurt

[got wake?]

yup, 400 grit sandpaper for the sheaves, sand in an outward motion. you want to clean as much off the clutches as possible. the only place that needs lube is the one-way bearing. beyond that, clean as much as you possibly can. it cannot be too clean.

[fmj40]

I would add that those 3m scrubbies work well, as well. And I wouldn't have thought to wash the belt before installation but it makes sense. Clean off any of the oils left on there during manufacture... good call wake.

[ryanryan]

If your feeling up to it, the best way to clean clutches, is to pull them from the bike and throw them in the dishwasher when the wifee isn't around! That plus all of the stuff wake mentioned in his post, and you'll be good to go.