ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: McRat on April 21, 2015, 09:40:25 PM
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How hard is it to replace in the field? What tools do you need?
To push an FX back to camp, must you remove the belt to stop EMF resistance?
How much are spare belts? Are they generic or Zero specific?
How often do they break when riding off-road in the desert (no mud, just sand and rocks)?
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Pain in the ass to replace because the swingarm bolts have to be removed so the new belt can slip in
Takes me less than 40 min
Only broken one belt... Ever.....
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Remove rear wheel
Small Allen to remove set screw on inside of swingarm bolt
I always use a crecent on the swingarm bolts and the rear
Remove the rear brake foot master, don't disconnect lines
With 1 battery it's not too hard to push
With both its pretty heavy...
I have some videos of me dragging the bike up some steep stuff, I'll see if I can upload them tonight.
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As Cortez said to remove rear wheel and swingarm pivot bolt(s).
Actually the 2014/15 FX no longer has the PITA set screw on the inside of the swingarm retainer bolt.
I believe the replacement belt is about $75 from a dealer.
They don't break often but can, indeed, break.
Try to avoid spinning up the rear wheel while in the air and landing on hard pack with throttle applied. This is very hard on the belts.
If needing to push the bike any distance (or uphill) It is fairly easy to derail the belt from the rear sprocket, and then re-rail it when needed.
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Someone on here had a clever method on a DS. They fitted a second belt around the swingarm and cable tied it to the swingarm. So that if the belt broke they could just cut the cable ties and have a new belt ready to go.
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Someone on here had a clever method on a DS. They fitted a second belt around the swingarm and cable tied it to the swingarm. So that if the belt broke they could just cut the cable ties and have a new belt ready to go.
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Wow very clever
I have had the belt slip off a bike when we were hitting a quarry pile of gravel
If your careful you can slip it in no tools but no belts are the same size and within a few miles it will "break in"and need to be adjusted again.
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If you spend most your time of road in rocky area, consider converting to chain.
http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4559.0 (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4559.0)
in this folder are pdf about replacing chain, would be similar for belt.
https://app.box.com/s/sdd7jcyfo4qtd40a277jkcogm99loh4b (https://app.box.com/s/sdd7jcyfo4qtd40a277jkcogm99loh4b)
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Probably if I break a belt, I will replace it with chain.
But part of what is attracting me to the FX as a dirt bike is low maintenance. Lubing chains sucks. Cleaning and oiling filters suck. Changing oil sucks. Adjusting valves sucks. Cam chain tensioners suck. Mufflers suck. Spark plugs suck. Gas cans suck. Premix sucks. Lubing/replacing clutch cables sucks. Replacing clutches suck. Changing fuel filters suck. Cleaning carbs suck. Etc.
A chain would not be so bad, especially since belt changing is a bitch, but a chain is more work than a belt is. Mostly cleaning the lube off the bike and your clothes.
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most other bikes with belts, (BWM) have fully enclosed belt guards to keep rocks out.
I agree oiling chain sucks and messy, but breaking a belt in remote area would suck more.
the spare belt cable tied on sounds like the best option. And zero Belt are not as expensive as BMW beslts :)
It all depends how often you are breaking belts, whether it better to fit chain.
Zero sells a chain kit for the FX.
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_6&products_id=192&zenid=n4qs7ok6ugok693armbbo7ceo1 (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_6&products_id=192&zenid=n4qs7ok6ugok693armbbo7ceo1)
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This thing looks interesting for a temporary belt repair:
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/caschnd1/KGrHqVHJCsE7BcvicGBBO66JRdHtg60_11_zps13bb20e5.jpg)
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/caschnd1/KGrHqRHJBEE63St9m3lBO66JRhNdw60_11_zps31d67388.jpg)
I don't know if they're the same, but this place sells drive belt repair links:
http://www.drivebelt-911.com/index-7.php (http://www.drivebelt-911.com/index-7.php)
They have Zero in their drop-down make menu and show links for the 2012 XU, which uses the same belt as my FX's, I believe. I asked about the fit but haven't heard back yet. I'll probably just order one and see.
The thing I hate most about chain is the noise. In the dirt it gets lost in the tire rumble, but on the street it's way louder than the motor or wind noise, on my bike at least. My belt-drive FX is like a magic carpet in comparison.
Ray
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Hi Ray, I'm interested in those master links; please report back if you get one to fit. They would be fantastic to have for an emergency, and much quicker and easier than fitting a belt.
Cheers,
Ben.
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Ben,
I've spoken to the guy who makes these, and he told me they only have a 12mm one now but he'd be willing to do up a 14mm prototype for me to test out. I sent him an E-mail with photos and 14mm belt info and another follow-up E-mail, and have been waiting to hear back from him; it's been a while now, I think I'll call him today. I told him I could send him a belt if it would help with the design, and also that there were thousands of Zero owners that would gladly pay a reasonable price for a tiny device that might save them from being stranded.
Ray
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Thanks for the update, Ray. I guess, if we can't buy one, it would be possible to make (or a local machine shop) one out of what looks like stainless steel.
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OK, some good news - Rick just let me know his supplier will be calling me for preliminary prototype info as my E-mails didn't get through, and I'll be sending them a 14mm Zero belt Monday for a working reference. I was wrong about the 12mm drivebelt-911 model, apparently their narrowest one right now is 21mm.
Ray
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That sounds good. If those things really work, it might be something worth adding to Zero's accessories list on their website.
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Hi, any news about this magic stuff that let you get out from the woods after belt fault?
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No, none at all. I've been unable to contact Rick, his web site is down, and his supplier hasn't seen him in quite a while.
At this point I'm just going to live with the chain. It's noisy and high-maintenance, but I never worry about it leaving me stranded.
Ray
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Seems like a great temp fix but wouldn't the ends of the cotter pin (either end) hit the flange of the sprockets?
Say10
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Seems like a great temp fix but wouldn't the ends of the cotter pin (either end) hit the flange of the sprockets?
Say10
I hadn't thought of that, hopefully the pins will be high enough to clear it, it looks as if they might. Hopefully that's already factored into the design.