Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

I replaced my scoot's belt a year ago with a used but better belt from my parts scooter. Now it's starting to have that same slow take off difference like the other belt, so I think it's time for me to buy a new belt for the first time.

I see a lot of basic belts on ebay for around $20 and "sport" belts for $15+ more. Is there a significant difference between say, this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-SA ... leQ5fParts

and this?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/POLINI-S ... ccessories

or this!?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DAYTONA- ... ccessories


I'm also reading some other posts about kevlar pro's/con's. I guess I'm just looking for some educated belt buying advice.
I just want what's best for my scoot/my speed, I'll throw down another $15 if it makes a significant difference. Just want to know where that extra $15+ is going, if it's going anywhere.

The sport belts are usually infused with kevlar. Thats were the extra 15 dollars is going to. I've recently switched to a Polini Belt on my Ruckus and didn't notice much of a difference in the performance aspect of it. I dont think it is supposed to make you go faster, but in turn it should last longer than a stock belt.

but think about it...how much longer... say you buy 2 at $8 a piece(assuming thats the price they are)
and the more expensive one only lasts twice as long as the cheap one...you're still coming out on top by buying 2 cheaper ones

just my opinion(not my experience)

I was going to go the kevlar route, till I saw this:

http://www.zumaforums.net/phpBB3/viewto ... =33&t=8397


And there's similar talk on several other forms. Most of it is saying that kevlar belts will wear a spot in your variator face and they often don't last as long as they're stated to.

If I recall correctly from another thread, wheelman had the variator face thing happen also.

I'm thinking I may just go with the plain belt.

Greetings:

I've never had a variator or any other issue due to a Kevlar belt. I have had 2 (Two!) cheap Chinese belts self-destruct during soft-seizes. I'm not sure what else to expect for under $10, shipped.

There's little doubt that K is stronger than whatever fibers are in standard belts, and I'd submit that if you shredded a Kevlar, you would have done the same with a standard belt, only sooner. However it is possible that the stuff is hard to incorporate into the final rubber molding - maybe it doesn't stick well to the molten butadiene. In particular, I've had pretty good luck with all the Polini and Malossi products. However I haven't kept any single belt long enough to evaluate durability. I keep mucking about with the transmission too often.

That said, my 2 current belts are Bando, 654 and 669 ZX-size. Unknown composition but I don't recall them featuring Kevlar. The Hawaiians by and large are fond of the Bando brand. So is Honda - most are re-branded Bandos.

Wheelman-111 wrote:Greetings:

I've never had a variator or any other issue due to a Kevlar belt.

Sorry about that. You were part of the thread, but it happened to someone else.
I was looking at this:

http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... evlar+belt

I'd say your best bet would be to run the OEM Bando belt. Honda-San definetely knows whats up

I ended up going with the cheaper one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-SA ... leQ5fParts


I just installed it today and got a 6mph speed boost! I like to say I can go "F mph" now. (When the needle hits max and points to the F on the fuel gauge)

It did however decrease my take off speed. Is this normal when you're breaking in a new belt? After it "catches" I take off at a great speed, but theres a definite 1-2 second delay from when I hit the gas.

If my engine is used to a (very) worn belt, it makes sense that it may struggle in the beginning with a new wider belt. I don't know.

Just wanted to know if this was normal and if it will go away.

It will change over time as the new belt beds in. Takeoff is slower because the wider belt doesn't drop as low in the variator. On the plus side, it rides higher at full variation, hence the speed boost.

if you put a washer between the ramp & pulley your take off speed will increase

maddog wrote:if you put a washer between the ramp & pulley your take off speed will increase

But wouldn't that decrease top speed?

Greetings:

It won't help take-off if the washer is so thick that it allows the belt to slip. Shim washers can be used to good advantage, but their thickness is critical. You want to get the belt as close to center as possible, but not open the pulleys wide enough to allow belt slippage.

Top speed may or may not be affected. It depends on whether the scooter maxes the variator - fully "shifted" - or not. That depends mostly on power output and drag. Depending on that and roller weight/spring balance, it may actually improve.

I'm also wondering if I need to replace the clutch shoes.
My OD is at 2800 miles and they've never been replaced. The service manual maintenance schedule says inspect/adjust or replace every 2K, but it's usually a little overkill.

It may not have been as apparent with the worn belt. I do hear a slight rumble back there when I hit the gas during that 2 sec delay before I take off. Like its trying to catch friction but hasn't yet.


Also, do clutch springs get worn? I'm not sure what the protocol is for replacing those, if you even need to and if so, how often.



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As a follow up question...I have an 87 Elite 50-S parts moped. Anybody know what the clutch spring is like in that compared to the one in my 85 Aero 50? I know the 87 50-S has some faster/sportier upgrades. If it's better I may replace it for a better take off.