Okay, just want to share a little experience plus New Insights in regards to inspecting/replacing the Victory Drive Belt after mine suddenly just snapped and I got rear ended by another Biker (Yes $$) at just a little over 90k in 2017.
I had literally just carefully VISUALLY inspected my entire Original Drive Belt during another service and it showed no cracking, discoloration, chipped teeth or other unusual wear. So Yes, I was shocked and Pissed when it snapped far from home on a favorite Charity Poker run. Then I was even more pissed at myself later when I realized my ignorance in something I should have known being in the Automotive Parts field.
While belts are cleaner, lighter, cheaper, smoother, quieter and require less maintenance or adjustment than chains, they are made of Kevlar and carbon fiber and just like Automotive Timing Belts they suffer internal material fatigue over time and use. So while they look visually great, internally they become stiffer and more prone to sudden breakage. Not cracking in most cases as most mechanics that have repaired cars with snapped timing belts, they just suddenly snap clean.
I suddenly remembered this when I picked up the broken Victory Drive Belt and compared it to the much more flexible Replacement Victory Drive Belt. Night and Day in how flexible it was.
So Moral of the Story, besides visually inspecting your High Mileage Drive Belt, you need to remove it and check how flexible it still is compared to a New Drive Belt. Remember just because she’s pretty, doesn’t mean she’s safe. 😉
![Automotive lighting Hood Automotive tire Bumper Wood]()
I had literally just carefully VISUALLY inspected my entire Original Drive Belt during another service and it showed no cracking, discoloration, chipped teeth or other unusual wear. So Yes, I was shocked and Pissed when it snapped far from home on a favorite Charity Poker run. Then I was even more pissed at myself later when I realized my ignorance in something I should have known being in the Automotive Parts field.
While belts are cleaner, lighter, cheaper, smoother, quieter and require less maintenance or adjustment than chains, they are made of Kevlar and carbon fiber and just like Automotive Timing Belts they suffer internal material fatigue over time and use. So while they look visually great, internally they become stiffer and more prone to sudden breakage. Not cracking in most cases as most mechanics that have repaired cars with snapped timing belts, they just suddenly snap clean.
I suddenly remembered this when I picked up the broken Victory Drive Belt and compared it to the much more flexible Replacement Victory Drive Belt. Night and Day in how flexible it was.
So Moral of the Story, besides visually inspecting your High Mileage Drive Belt, you need to remove it and check how flexible it still is compared to a New Drive Belt. Remember just because she’s pretty, doesn’t mean she’s safe. 😉
